A question about poison ivy

Does anyone know if poison ivy can affect a person all year long? I was told two different things about it. One said that it goes dormant in the winter months and is no threat, and the other said that it can be trouble all year long. Who out there knows for sure? Thanks!

I've been told that you can get poison ivy during the winter from the vines or branches, although I've never actually gotten it (yet). An interesting website is poison-ivy.org. It has some good info on how to identify poison ivy, but don't look at the skin rash hall of fame unless you want to be really grossed out.

Yes you can get it all year round.

I've gotten it from just the vines and branches.

josh

The skin reaction is caused by oils in the leaves (and vines?), so any time you come into contact with the oil you could get the rash. I once got it from a cat that had walked through a patch of vines, so it certainly seems possible that old leaves would still have some oils in/on them even in the winter.

Definitely do not burn it, if you do burn it definitely do not get near the smoke or you can get the urushiol into you eyes, nose, and lungs which will certainly put you in the hospital. Fortunately for us Coloradans poison ivy/oak is not as prevalent, Castlewood Canyon has a fair bit. Used to live and climb in VA, WV, MD and the shit is everywhere, don't think I ever went 6 months without getting some on me, even in winter.

When I worked one winter in Texas on an outdoor project, during a rainstorm we were told not to stand under any oak trees with poison ivy creeper vines up high (even with no leaves), because the water dripping down through the vines and branches would carry the toxin down from above. You just can't beat this stuff; it's almost malevolent.

Not really to the OPs question, but I've found that OTC claratin tabs work really well for me for PI and PO. I now carry claritin in my first-aid kit.

A huge factor w/ poison ivy is how sensitive you are to the resin. I've had partners that seem impervious to the stuff, whereas I can get it during the dead of winter when there's no leaves at all on the plant.

I have had good results with rinsing as soon as possible if I have made contact with PI. Copious amounts of ambient or cooler water could save you a lot of grief. (Results may vary-consult local listings-water assumes no liability for individual results)

You can definitely get it in the winter.

This also reminds me of the time, years ago, when I was walking beneath Redgarden and came across a young mom and her little kids wading through the giant PI, picking something. I said, "UH...you probably don't want to be in there..." Mom says, "OH, don't worry, this isn't poison ivy, blah,blah,blah. I hope the kids survived.

Year round, dead or alive, leaves, branches,, twigs, attached or via cuttings. Even if burned, the smoke can provide that loving feeling...

Crazy stuff

Yea for being the 15%

I had it on something from a trip and my mom got it from something I brought home. Best stuff to use is tec goo. You can get it from any camping store. Just spread it on, rub and rinse.

Some great points about the nasty PI have been made the only thing I will add is that the more you are exposed to it the more you are affected by it.
Personally I am royally screwed anytime I even get a drop of it on me.

Also the oil stays active for a long time so if you use a pair of gloves to remove some PI and then grab them months later you could still get a reaction. You need to wash them very thoroughly or throw them out.

yes, you can get the rash from the stems in winter.

found that washing with Tech-nue or Fels Naptha laundry soap right after exposure really knocks it down. The Tech-nue wash also works well after you get it: shortens the duration of the rash.

John Rogers wrote:Folks, Thanks for all the great information! The OTC claritin idea is good, I may consider benadril too. Black Canyon, here I come!...

benadril is a CNS depressant. Might now want to take that while climbing...but,it does a great job putting people to sleep. I'd vote that you start taking the claritin a few days before so when you get exposed, your H1 are somewhat blocked.

If you have a anaphylactic reaction to PI the only thing that'd save you is many epi shots Q 15-30 min!

From the poison-ivy.org/

Seriously WTF!?!

OUCH!

Interesting side-note: Humans are one of very few animals affected by urushiol. Poison ivy is a favorite food of deer.

Basically, our skin cells mistake urushiol for something else and absorb it. It does no harm whatsoever, but it makes the cells that absorbed it kind of "look funny" and get attacked and killed by our immune system. What you're really seeing when you get that rash is dead and dying skin cells under assault by your own immune system. Crazy stuff!

GO

Joe Huggins wrote:I have had good results with rinsing as soon as possible if I have made contact with PI. Copious amounts of ambient or cooler water could save you a lot of grief. (Results may vary-consult local listings-water assumes no liability for individual results)

just FYI not sure if it has been said, as it is an oil, the best way to ensure removal is to use soapy water. Your best bet is to use some kind of anti-grease soap.. if i have come in contact I usually try to scrub down with dish soap as soon as i can.. while not great for your skin, it does the trick.. just using water might get some of it, but not all as oil = hydrophobic

I used to get this multiple times a year in Virginia. I learned two things: wash yourself off with water (preferably soap also) as soon as you can. Don't itch it an spread it all over. The more you ignore it the faster it goes away. Mind over matter.

I've never gotten it in winter really, but certainly you can get it from the vines. Probably because I know the vines and stay clear of them. In the summer back east it is hard to go mountain biking or walking in the woods and totally avoid it.

bring a disposable suit and gloves to the Black. put it in a plastic bag and haul it out. worth the extra few ounces. or if you can get to the river wash off before climbing.