Posted by David - OR on February 01, 2009 at 10:25:56 from (208.67.204.213):
In Reply to: poison oak removal posted by Brian Jasper co. Ia on February 01, 2009 at 07:03:33:
All parts of the plant contain at least some urushiol (the itch-inducing oil). You must wear gloves and take suitable precautions when handling it. There is a product called "Ivyblock" which inhibits skin absorption, and I will second the recommendation for TecNu for washing after possible contact.
Never burn poison oak/poison ivy. The heat volatilizes the oils and wafts them into the air along with the smoke. Your lungs are much more sensitive than any other part of your body to trace amounts of toxins -- that's why more people smoke tobacco than chew, and why crack pipes are popular for ingesting cocaine and methamphetamine.
The body's reaction to the oil is an allergic reaction. The immune system attacks the oil as if it were bacteria/viruses/bee venom. In the process, your body itself creates the rash/bumps/itch. A dose of oral or dermal prescription steroids like prednisone can throttle back the reaction. Most over-the-counter stuff can only reduce surface itching, it is too late to neutralize the oil once the skin turns red and bumpy.
You can't "build up a tolerance" to urushiol by serial exposure, or by drinking some sort of diluted homeophathic extract. In fact, for most people, the reverse is true, the immune system becomes MORE sensitized to urushiol the more it is exposed to it. In my own experience, both my father and myself started out relatively immune, but got more sensitive with age and repeated exposure.
For what it is worth, and relating this subject to old tractors, the toxicity of isocyanate paints also stems from the reaction of the immune system. With repeated exposure, the body learns to recognize smaller and smaller concentrations, and reacts more and more extremely. That's why long-term auto body painters can initially get away with less than optimal protective equipment, but eventually become so sensitive they can no longer work in the field at all, even with full body suits and supplied air respirators.
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