POISON IVY: Need to know

Thanks for the timely Sholeh Patrick column, “Leaves of three, let’em be.” I am terribly allergic to poison ivy. As a kid, I climbed trees to see baby birds in their nests. Georgia trees were inevitably covered in poison ivy, so I often found myself soaking in diluted vinegar baths and applying a baking soda and vinegar paste. Calamine lotion was ineffective.

I later discovered that gently washing affected areas with Tincture of Green Soap (30 percent alcohol) helps remove the poison ivy oil from the skin. Afterward, apply a watery paste of Domeboro Solution. Neither requires a prescription.

Poison ivy loves moisture as well as heat. In late 1970s Montana, I tragically discovered that south-facing river banks are prime places to find this egregious plant.

Finally, because these plants’ leaves are so oily, hiking with a pet can put you at risk even if you don’t come near the plant. Pets get the oil on their fur and it transfers easily to human skin. I once had the dreaded rash between all of my fingers after petting a neighbor’s dog that wandered into some poison ivy. I had to use packing peanuts to keep my fingers separated so that the Domeboro paste could be effective.

Personal experience suggests: (1) avoid poison ivy; (2) if there is contact, wash the oil off and dry out the rash; (3) wash affected clothes; and (4) you may have to give your pet a bath.

VICTORIA C. BRUNO

Hayden