That’s wise advice I heard from my dad a time or two. As Father’s Day approaches, I have to share some of my father’s wit and wisdom with you. He taught me a many number of great life lessons. Ironically, not one of them had to do with tools; my mom was the handy one. But dad taught me lessons that go way beyond the tool box – humor, optimism and resiliency. I am definitely my father’s daughter; we share a love of the garden, love of a cold beer after yard work and a relentless sweet tooth. Beer and cake go great together, right?
But beyond personality traits and sugar cravings, we share a crazy sensitivity to Poison Ivy! As a kid, I remember him covered in blisters. It led to numerous rounds of steroidal prescriptions. But it never kept him out of the garden because he learned how to keep the poison oil off him so he could safely do what he loved to do. I, too have learned some new tricks for dealing with the dreaded leaves of three and hope to keep you itch-free too.
First, you must identify your enemy. Poison Ivy can grow in many forms. It is not only three red shiny leaves. It can be found as a tree, plant, and as a root, the most dreaded highly toxic version. The oil from the leaves is called Urushiol. It is also found in poison ivy, oak and sumac; a tri-fecta of misery. The leaves contain oil that rubs off onto you in contact. The oil then permeates the skin and does its damage, causing a localized allergic reaction, or systemic reactions in severely allergic persons. The root of these plants contains the most concentrated amounts of oil thus causes the most severe reaction. Did you ever see a root growing up a tree in the woods? Well stay away from it and don’t try a Tarzan vine swinging trick. It’s a highly toxic tether, that will lead to misery and pain!
Here’s what you gotta do:
- Wear gloves when working outdoors
- Wear long sleeves if not too hot
- Don’t touch your hands to your face – Poison ivy in the eyes is the worst (I know this the hard way)
- Wash exposed areas with rubbing alcohol and rinse with water, then soap up
- Rubbing bar soap on the area before rinsing just spreads the oil around
- Rinse hands often, all the way to your elbows or armpits if sleeveless
- Use Fels naptha soap to cut through the oil best
- Wash the dog if he/she is in the woods – they carry the oil on their fur and share it lovingly with you!
- Wash your shoes and tools down with alcohol or rinse with water a minimum
- If exposed and rash develops, treat with topical creams and see the doc if worsens or you get no relief from over the counter treatments.
- They say that the rash is not contagious and cannot spread once pustules form, I don’t buy that but you can research that on your own.
Kid Stuff
- Teach your kids what this poison trio looks like.
- Tell them not to put hands up their face until they have washed up
- Tell them never to wipe their bottoms with leaves in the woods if you know what I mean – I have heard stories
- Have them change clothes after playing in the woods (note how I did not say “keep kids out of the woods. I will never say that – they need to play and play dirty. Builds character, immunity and memories)
Getting Rid of It
- It is best to pull it and dispose of it. My trick is to take a small bag (dog poopie bags or newspaper bags are great), double layer them and place them over your gloved hand. Pull the plant out by the root and cover with the bag. Just like picking up Fido’s dootie! Knot the bag and discard in trash.
- Round Up or Bayer Brush Kill works great too. But I pull it (actually I have my husband do it so there is no chance of me getting exposed) then I spray the area with weed kill.
- Buy a goat! Seriously, I have heard that goats are not susceptible to its oil and can eat it. Crazy huh?
- Lastly, do not burn yard waste with poison plants in it. The burning leaves produce airborne irritants that can cause serious respiratory reactions.
So in Memory of my Dad, lost way too soon to lung cancer in Sept 2000, I leave you with one of his best bits of wisdom ever. He always said – “Kid, Don’t let anyone screw up your day, they’re just not worth it!” This Father’s Day you’ll find me in the garden, having a beer and some cake, not letting anyone screw up my day. Always the optimist.
