Ordinary soap also works if used soon after exposure. Use it promptly upon coming in from outside. If you live where poison ivy, oak or sumac is abundant, it certainly makes sense to keep either Zanfel or Tecnu on hand.
The maker of Zanfel maintains that it is able to break the bond that urushiol makes with skin so that the irritating oil can then be washed off. The itching stopped for six hours after use, and the rash was gone in about six days normally the poison ivy rash remains for 14 to 16 days. One day I got a few spots on my cheek from cutting weeds and used Zanfel as directed. Zanfel is a mixture of soaps that has an affinity for the urushiol oil that causes the rash. Outdoor enthusiast and hunter Brandon Mason shares his ex. There’s a product out there that beats anything I have ever tried for my severe bouts of poison ivy. Whether you are hiking, hunting or fishing, an encounter with poison oak or ivy can ruin an outing. I read in your column about using banana peel on a poison ivy rash. Remember the simple guidance: “Leaves of three, let it be.” A Solution for Poison Ivy Rash:Īnother reader offered this about using Zanfel to ward off suffering from poison ivy: Best of all, of course, is to avoid it in the first place. Alcohol may also be used to wipe off urushiol before it causes a reaction. Scrubbing with soap and water can be effective. Ended up going back to the store and getting something else. So this did nothing at all for my family or me. A bit more pricey but when you children are hurting a few bucks is worth it. The sooner you remove uroshiol after contact with poison ivy or poison oak, the better the result. Try Cortaid poison ivy care scrub or Tecnu extreme poison ivy scrub, they work. It should help protect the skin from urushiol and make it easier to wash off. If used promptly after contact, these washes can prevent the itchy rash that normally results.Ī barrier cream such as IvyX can be applied before going outside. Zanfel Poison Ivy Wash and Tecnu Outdoor Skin Cleanser help remove the urushiol oil from exposure to poison ivy, oak or sumac. Removing Urushiol to Stop Suffering from Poison Ivy:Ī. It costs about ten times more per ounce than Tecnu. Some people use Zanfel for their poison ivy rash, but I have found that it is pricey. It also helps dry up the rash if I haven’t washed with it after contact, though I don’t know why. The Tecnu Extreme Medicated Poison Ivy Scrub starts working 15 seconds after application Relieves itching, soothes burning from poison oak, ivy and sumac rash. It removes the poison ivy oil completely when it’s used after contact with the plant. I have been using Tecnu for years to control poison ivy. Is there a way to stop the suffering from poison ivy? Preventing Suffering from Poison Ivy with a Wash: They all produce a compound called urushiol. People who get this chemical on their skin frequently develop a contact dermatitis that is maddening, with a rash and itching that just won’t quit. Poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac are wild plants that thrive in many wooded parts of this country.