What does poison oak look like?

[francois]

Photo assignment!

I know what it looks like. But do you know? Have you seen the 1500 different forms this evil weed can take? Can you spot it while cruising at 21 mph on singletrack and contort your body to avoid engagement?

Take photos. Say when and where. Next month, we'll cover what to do when you get the dreaded oak rash.

fc

[jorgemonkey]

I'll get a bunch of photos from CCCX #3 this weekend of it. Then around Wed I'll start taking pictures of what your skin looks like after you've had the pleasure of getting the oils on your skin.

[francois]

Originally Posted by jorgemonkey

I'll get a bunch of photos from CCCX #3 this weekend of it. Then around Wed I'll start taking pictures of what your skin looks like after you've had the pleasure of getting the oils on your skin.

Yeah... photo evolution... the many phases of oak.

Adam here at the office showed up with oak all over. and he said it was on his lips and eyes. We told him to go to the doctor and they gave him some cream. Ha, ha, ha. Bad boy needed pills and a shot badly.

fc

[mttamrnr]

I went through all the evil, evil iterations of poison oak this past week and its already gone, Hallelujah. It's crazy poison oak season out there.

Last Saturday I went over the bike in the headlands near Diaz Ridge and landed upside down in a poison oak bush, then being stubborn decided to finish my long ride. I was a long ways from home anyways.

By Monday both legs, both forearms and the majority of chest covered and blistering. Went directly to the doctor and got 80cc's of goodness in my arm. That's the key. Monday through Friday were absolutely miserable but the steroids kicked in and my Sunday I was basically done itching. Now I'm healed. Shots and pills!! The creams don't do a thing....

[Razorfish]

I have a better idea. Stay on the trail. haha

[bdamschen]

Originally Posted by Razorfish

I have a better idea. Stay on the trail. haha

That's easy to say until you go ride on ft. ord and encounter the rare but fast growing Jumping Posion Oak.

[knobs]

Heavily oiled PO rebounding from the Lick Fire:

When: April 08, 7 months after the fire.
Where: Blue Ridge Road, Henry Coe State Park.

[baycat]

I hate oak. I stay away from anything that resembles it, but when you forging new trails and brushing up against it. Just think fels nafta in my head.

This is Poison Ivy

[MichiganMat]

Kill it!

KILL IT WITH FIRE!!!!

[mellowyellowCJ7]

Just don't breathe the smoke!
Round up works pretty well too.
Also learn what it looks like dormant.
I once cleared my parent's property to make a trail and I didn't realize the brush I was cutting down and carrying on my bare arms was just bare PO. Not good
I can tell you that the sticks carry the oils just as well or better than the leaves.

[Dirty D]

Indeed a plant created by the devil. I've been running into the stuff constantly since moving up here from socal. Can't lean into some corners nicely without getting swiped.



Damage left behind...

[francois]

Originally Posted by Dirty D

Indeed a plant created by the devil. I've been running into the stuff constantly since moving up here from socal. Can't lean into some corners nicely without getting swiped.

Oiiiiey! You're the weener so far.

fc

[mttamrnr]

This thread is giving me anxiety

[wg]

Its in all its wonderful forms now. Stick, budding, leafy, red, green.
Pay attention when leaning into the flora when cornering.

[craigshaf]

Originally Posted by wg

Its in all its wonderful forms now. Stick, budding, leafy, red, green.

Wait, what are we referring to here?

[boomn]

I really had no idea when I moved here two years ago. Living in the north east I was well trained in what poison ivy looks like, but poison oak was pretty rare in my area. Even then, atlantic poison oak is a completely different looking plant

Thanks for the pics guys

[singlespeed.org]

So, what you really need is the PO version of this video:
http://video.about.com/landscaping/H...Poison-Ivy.htm

[Finch Platte]

Here's my ad with that guy- what's his name? Oh, yeah- Johnny Freeride. Remember him?

[paintballeerXC]

got it on the family jewls right now... it sucks......

[monkies]

Originally Posted by paintballeerXC

got it on the family jewls right now... it sucks......

shut up. 'it sucks' is probably an understatement. i had it for the first time last year on my knees and it was the worst irritation for a week I've ever had (mainly because u can't sleep!).

[MTBShane]

Originally Posted by paintballeerXC

got it on the family jewls right now... it sucks......

PLEASE.....no photos!!!

[Mike E]

I've been pretty good at avoiding it but last year I bailed on the Zane Grey trail down at Wilder and landed right in the middle of a huge poison oak bush. Got it on pretty much every exposed bit of skin other than my face (thank god). Took almost a week before I noticed anything then it took off with a vengence. Practically went insane before I finally ended up at the doc.

Now I carry that tecnu stuff with me whenever I ride. Haven't had a chance to use it yet though. Anybody have any experience with that stuff> Does it actually work?

[Trailseeker]

I was out hiking on this super narrow singletrack that a bit busy last Sunday afternoon. As we leaned over to make room for others passing in the opposite direction, I warned several nice folks to watch out for the poison oak along the side of the trail, Most said "Thanks!". However, about 40% said "huh?" and walked right through it. Youch!!

[Trailseeker]

Some folks poo poo here on the boards, but I use it all the time, Works great! Buy the big bottle at Costco for about 10 bucks. Lasts a couple of years.

[motormonkeyr6]

As of 2 hours ago.


Ways to get rid of it once you have it.

Boiling hot showers with intense scrubbing (once the little rumples appear)
Shaving cream on the PO rash
Acne facial cleanser on the PO rash

Anything to dry it out.

I also went to the doc and got another tube of Triamcinolone Acetonide (steroid cream) and a "few" Hydroxyzine HCL 25mg Tablets. Anti itch pills that knock you out at night so you can get a full nights sleep.

Right now in Pacifica the Poison Oak has no leafs, it is still bare bushes. Dont let that fool you, it still has a ton of oil.

[jorgemonkey]

I've got a photo I could post of when I got PO bad last year, but I'd probably get banned if I posted it. Its on my knee/leg, and I grossed out 2 nurses when they checked me out when I went to the ER.

[Fancy Hat]

I grew up in AZ and never saw the stuff. Got to Oregon and it didn't bother. I thought I was the one of the lucky few. Since then it's been getting worse and worse, then I found Tecnu. When I can't use Tecnu I use dish soap. Wash any bare skin with either ASAP, and keep the laundry separate.

[fred-da-trog]

Those skin pics are awful.

I try to carry 5 gallons of water in a camp jug and technu or Dawn dish soap in my vehicle to bathe after riding PO areas. It's cheap insurance.

.

[j3blur]

Have any of you seen the PO at Pt. Lobos? It lines the trails in some areas at shoulder height like hedge-row tunnels! It's sad to watch children and adults both running their hands on it and brushing up against it.....everytime I go, I must warn a dozen people. You would think there would be larger warning signs there with the amount of tourists that frequent the place from all over the World.

[paintballeerXC]

my suggests for any other ppl with PO on the nards
ice packs- sleep, breath and live with them
cold water showers with techuo(hot water irritates any type of PO and technu does owrk)
Calamine
pills
ice

[Spindelatron]

Originally Posted by mellowyellowCJ7

Just don't breathe the smoke!
Round up works pretty well too.
Also learn what it looks like dormant.
I once cleared my parent's property to make a trail and I didn't realize the brush I was cutting down and carrying on my bare arms was just bare PO. Not good
I can tell you that the sticks carry the oils just as well or better than the leaves.

I am willing to bet that the bare sticks actually care MORE oils than the leaves. I can just imagine all the toxic oil slowly dripping down onto the stick all through summer and spring.
I am just now starting to recover; i got punished for doing some trail maintenence. Clearing a downed tree that was apparently wrapped with the climbing version of PO. I had gloves and a 3/4 sleeve shirt and it managed to get me right above the wrist and then spread...

edit: my cure: calidryle on the outside, benedryl on the inside

[29erchico]

First thing before cleaning up after PO exposure: take off your clothes off right into the washer if possible. If this is not possible, put them into a bag and wash your hands and forearms well after you handle them later.

If you don't have soap & water or Tecnu I have had good results scrubbing with baby wipes as soon as possible. If I know that no suds are in the near future I will go over myself at least three times, acting a bit OCD when dealing with PO is not a bad idea! Sounds strange but it works.

Once a wash up is available, start with tepid water & scrub, then get the water warmer and repeat, keep repeating the process until you have scrubbed at least 4x and the last wash was rather hot. I have had a lot of PO in my time and can safely say that it does not matter what soap you use as long as you use the above procedure. I usually just use shampoo all over myself.

Caution: the above is for "casual" exposure. If you really grind it in, via a crash or whatnot, the above will help (and in this case I might resort to some harsh detergent), but suffering is a for sure in your future...

[rsquared28]

But it feels soooooo goooood to itch.....ooohhhhh, yaaaaaahhh

I get PO every year and just live with it. Earlier this winter I did the FATRAC trail work day at Granite Bay. I had a full beard at the time. I got PO all over my face (from wiping sweat off). It itched SO BAD under the beard that I had to shave it off. That was the worst. I never saw PO where we were working. I suspect it may have been on the tools.

I've been to the doctors once for a patch on my leg a couple years ago. I still have scars on my leg from it. All they would suggest was a hydrocortisone cream.
What specifically should I ask for in terms of pills, shots, etc...

[GoGoGordo]

Originally Posted by Finch Platte

Here's my ad with that guy- what's his name? Oh, yeah- Johnny Freeride. Remember him?

Hey this stuff works great for me -expensive , but great relief!!

[Road-Kill]

The best way to deal with it is to build up your immunity to it. I've had is bad enough in the past that I had boils lanced. I've got infected so many times it doesn't bother much anymore. One one of the treatments available in drug stores is to take small doses of it. Now is a good time to build up immunity before it's in full bloom

[mellowyellowCJ7]

When I get it I try to go swimming in the ocean. Like others have said dry it out.

[XJman07]

I HATE poison oak. I get it from being within a 5 foot radius of it. And I dont just kind of get it.... it ATTACKS me, like limbs almost falling off attack haha. One of the most annoying things ever.

[rollinrob]

Go road riding, no poison oak there. OK I am ducking and going back to RBR....

[Stripes]

I end up with a visit to the doc every time I get it.

Technu never worked for me. Ivy Dry takes out the itch. Dawn also works at getting the oils off after a ride. I should keep someone with me after each ride.

[kpd]

I spent a morning last week clearing it from a local trail. So far only 2 tiny blisters on my legs, which stop itching after the hot shower treatment.

[Chips n Beer]

Most people I ride with know what it looks like, but don't believe the flowers smell like cinnamon. Check it out on a warm or hot day, when it's aromatic. It really does, no joke and you can't get a rash from sniffing the flowers.

[JoeBMX]

Okay, who else has started itching them self after reading through this!

[campisi]

Originally Posted by mellowyellowCJ7

When I get it I try to go swimming in the ocean. Like others have said dry it out.

I once did the Double Dipsea trail race (running) which goes from Stinson Beach up and over to Mill Valley then back to Stinson. It was hot as hell and PO was everywhere - couldn't avoid it. When I got back to Stinson I went out into the ocean and scrubbed my arms, legs, neck and face with the cold salt water. I never got a hint of any PO reaction. Too bad we can't ride by the beach all the time!

[tshred]

I work on a property with a lot of P.O.

First, the vine DOES have more Urooshial(sp) Oil than the leaves. That is why when you ride you get those lines going across your forearms like you have been slashed. When you cut through a vine vs touching a leaf the rash goes from "oh what's that little itch" to "oh my god what are all those bubbles on my skin and why do they keep spreading?"

Second, Many "Poison Oak" Soaps are just Mineral Spirits(Turpintine) with a nice scent. Use Dawn dishwashing soap for first wash.

Third, If there is any chance you have been exposed but are not sure wash with COLD water. This will keep additional oil from penetrating the Skin. (My experiments with Hot water have all turned out very bad)

Here is my routine, BEAR in mind I AM NOT A DOCTOR!!! and my methods are not FDA approved.

1) I ride or build trail and get exposure. If I am not near a faucet and know I have touched it I will take the driest DIRT around and RUB it on exposed area.(near a faucet go wash with Dawn) If you know you have been exposed but can't do either try to keep from sweating too much...this will cause it to spread.

2) If I start to get a rash I bust out the Mexican Cortaid(2.5% "Collicort") It should do the trick in a couple days.(DO NOT PUT IT DOWNTOWN: there is a reason the fda does not allow 2.5% to be sold in america) ( you can find this at the duty free pharmacy in the airports in Mex)

3) Deleted....


MAIN ADVICE: LEARN WHAT THE PLANT LOOKS LIKE WITH OUT LEAVES AND AVOID IT! Especially with a chainsaw.

IF YOU GET IT BAD (eyes, throat, lungs, etc) GO STRAIGHT TO THE HOSPITAL...in my experience I have heard stories that will make you want to cry...

ONE MORE THING: DO NOT GO INTO THE HOT TUB IF YOU ARE COVERED IN POISON OAK OIL...you will give it to everyone that gets in there and probably a very bad case of it.

BE WELL!

[Norcalgeek41]

PO is a romance killer! If I get it I'm "Lonely guy" until it goes away. All that being said: I am extremely motivated to avoid getting it. I use Oak and Ivy Block which forms a layer of protection on your skin--then I tecnu when I get home. I usually put it on my legs when I know I'm going to ride near it. When I have used the Oak n Ivy block I have NEVER gotten the itch. The new tecnu extreme seems to help with the itch.
bike blessings
NCG

[Khemical]

Originally Posted by tshred

....know I have touched it I will take the driest DIRT around and RUB it on exposed area.

Seriously this works, I've known this trick since I was a kid but no one believes me when I tell them to rub dry dirt on their arms.

I figure the dirt is grabbing the oil before it has a chance to seep into your skin. This trick works best, like you said, when you know you just touched PO and with very dry, powdery dirt although I've used wet dirt too when it was the only thing around.

[mxracer33x]

I get it very easily. So I avoid it when possible, and always shower after a ride, using Simple green. It works as well or better then technu and is much cheaper for large quantities.

I wash my bike with Simple green as well. I cant tell yo uhow many times Ive just wiped down the frame wit ha rag after a ride, then got PO on my inner arms from working on the bike with PO all over the frame.

All images from Spring in Bidwell Park - Chico, CA

[Christopher]

/no help
/nothing to ad

[Nine]

Although I seem to imune to it aside from getting one or two small blisters every couple of years, I keep reading that there is no guarantee that I won't get it really bad somewhere down the line. Building up resistence is bull!

The one thing that I do have to look out for is putting bike clothes in the wash after coming into contact with it. My wife ends up getting it when it spreads through the laundry. I usually run a seperate batch of clothes in the washer and hope that doesn't contaminate the washing machine itself. Technu detergent should be invented!

[jorgemonkey]

I'll add mine in.

For comparison, the big red thing in the middle is supposed to be my knee is, and the big blister's diameter was bigger than a quarter. And to top it off, I had photographed a wedding the same day I took this picture, and at the end I couldn't bend my knee at all. After the shoot, I dropped off my equipment at the apartment, and went into the ER and grossed out everyone

Sorry for the crappy pic, but gotta love cell phones!

[MichiganMat]

ghhaaa!!

No More Pics!

[MarkDL]

I'm never going outside ever again...

[boomn]

Originally Posted by MarkDL

I'm never going outside ever again...

Not necessary. We all just need to move somewhere without any vegetation whatsoever

[baycat]

This is the worst kind of pron. PO Pron.

NSFW!

[MarkDL]

Originally Posted by boomn

Not necessary. We all just need to move somewhere without any vegetation whatsoever

I bet you can catch some wicked air on the moon!

[jorgemonkey]

Originally Posted by MarkDL

I bet you can catch some wicked air on the moon!

Plus since the gravity pull isn't as much, hitting the ground when crashing wouldn't hurt too much either!

[boomn]

Originally Posted by MarkDL

I bet you can catch some wicked air on the moon!

Close, I was thinking Arizona.

But then I remembered there is actually one plant that grows there: thorns

[lonelybiker]

I was on a ride at Fort Ord about 3 weeks ago and went offthe trail into a sandy patch. Being a newbie, I had no idea I came in contact with poison oak. After the ride, I did a girly thing by shaving my legs and spread the poison oak oils around before I even knew I had it. I spread it everywhere. Needless to say, I will be done with my prednisone in 2 days.

I agree with many above technu works well, but it is expensive. Dawn will cut through the oils and is cheaper. My doc gave me atarax for the itchiness.

[ricthedick]

I can vouch for Tecnu also. I avoid the PO like the plague but since I have been using the Tecnu Armor, applied before I ride and the Tecnu wash for after, I haven't even had the slightest hint of a rash. The main ingredient in the wash is mineral spirits so it really drys your skin out but for me this a much better alternative to the blisters.

[ddraewwg]

I just threw up. Yulch...those pix are almost enough to make be become a ROADIE! *gasp*

[kuuk]

Someone said it earlier, I use phels nepa soap after a ride in a cool shower. This soap is actually a bleach bar for clothes and strips the skin of all oils. Don't put it on the eyes. The stuff is cheap. If it's bad for my skin, oh well. I don't want to look like those photos.

[OhSchitt]

[Red PeeKay]

Originally Posted by boomn

Not necessary. We all just need to move somewhere without any vegetation whatsoever

This thread has seriously dented my desires to spend a summer stateside to ride!! Get your bikes and head downunder to Oz..... no poison oak there!! The occasional snake, spider webs across the track..... but seriously, nothing like the stuff this thread is describing!

[Tmack]

Originally Posted by OhSchitt

image snipped...

Unless Im mistaken, thats not poison anything.

Coming from Atlanta, Im more used to the Ivy form (which competes with Kudzu for dominance!), though we have both, and sumac, and stinging nettles... and was suprised how small the leaves are on the stuff here. The worst I ever got was removing a vine at least 6" in diameter from a pine tree in my back yard in Ga. Blisters covered both legs, arms, and bad was enough that my GF had to get a cortizone shot (not from touching the vine in the yard... ). I have pics somewhere of the stuff, will post when I get them online. Truly the vine of the devil), leaves of some of it were almost 1' in length on the oldest vines before I killed them off. The trick with the ivy at least, is to cut all the way through at the base, then spray undiluted woody plant killer into the cut. The top of the vine dies off in a week or so, and the roots generally wont come back. It stays toxic for a good while after its dead too... I buried it all in a pit in the woods behind my house.

[SimpleGreen]

[quote=Tmack]Unless Im mistaken, thats not poison anything.

The stuff in lower left corner could be Stinging Nettle. Orders of magnitude less unpleasant than PO and at least it has the courtesy to let you know immediately that you've touched it.

[BrewMaster]

Here is the Zanfel patent listing the active ingredients. Looks like you can save $40 and just rub some spermicide (nonoxynol-9) on the rash with soap and it should take care of business. The sarcosinate appears to help move things along, but it is not the primary actor. Many soaps would do the same thing.

I've never had PO bad enough to need to try it, but I won't be paying $40 for Zanfel, that's for sure.

[William42]

I generally don't get poison oak real bad. I don't have to worry about getting it from riding (foot in mouth, I'll probably get it pretty terribly tomorrow! I also don't get flats ). That said, I've had a couple pretty horrendous experiences with poison oak and poison ivy. I'll get a tiny little bit now and then, but nothing like these two times.

I was road tripping down from upstate NY to Maryland for a wedding, and I got sick and started having terrible.... BM troubles. Think explosive brown gravy. At any rate, In one road side stop, we didn't have any more tissue paper or paper towels. Needless to say, I used a bush. Now, because I crushed the leaves in my hand, it didn't just get all over my lower extremities (and spread to the front), I also had the oil all over my hands. I then sat in the car with my face in my hands for the next 7 hours feeling pretty sick. By that night, I was starting to feel a furious itch descending upon my entire body. What followed (despite a shot and cream) was one of the worst two weeks of my life.

Then, a couple years ago (after the poison ivy, I'd grown a great respect for it ) I was helping out at my local botanic garden in SB, and we were weeding the side of the hill and pulling up all the bad weeds. I've always been pretty good at spotting poison oak, and I was paying very close attention, but it was in a pretty dark area that was still pretty wet from the winter so the entire hillside was covered in green. I was careful to take a very cold shower afterwords, use dishsoap, technu, and not rub myself. I credit that, but I still needed a shot pretty bad afterwords. It got EVERYWHERE.

[francois]

Originally Posted by OhSchitt

There is no poison oak here. Those are pretender weeds.

fc

[jakub.sjsu]

My worst case of P.O. was from Pacifica! Don't know why but that place has some strong oak!

[fatdave]

I never got PO, no matter how exposed I was, until last year. Crashed in skyline in napa, in a bunch of sticker bushes intertwined with PO. The oil got into the cuts, and each of the many, many little cuts got nasty itchy PO. Now, just last week, I contacted some (not even a crash) in Ft. Ord, and have lots of itchy spots on my legs.

Now, I am going to try some of the itch medicines...

[grumblingcrustacean]

Did a ride at Ord today, first time being there. Lots and lots of poison oak especially around the cccx marked course. If you are racing tomorrow, keep an eye out.

-jim

[dave54]

I often smell it before I see it.

[zon]

Originally Posted by OhSchitt

No poison oak here,,, nothing to see,, move along.




.

[Spindelatron]

looks like stinging nettle on the left...but this isn't a stinging nettle thread.

[Buzz Cut]

man after looking at the pics I am so glad that oak doesn't cause a skin reaction on me.

I still try to avoid it [no sense pushing my luck] but I have never in 52 years of playing in the woods gotten any for of rash

[Curmy]

Originally Posted by Mike E

Now I carry that tecnu stuff with me whenever I ride. Haven't had a chance to use it yet though. Anybody have any experience with that stuff> Does it actually work?

It does if you do it right away - and it does work on cleaning up your gear.

[Curmy]

Originally Posted by rollinrob

Go road riding, no poison oak there. OK I am ducking and going back to RBR....

I will take poison oak over getting hit by a nice lady in a Buick.

[elennane]

A pox on all of you. As soon as I read this, I knew I contracted a serious case after a misadventure on Montara Mountain, booney crashing to a sucker road off the back side, and could feel that special tingling at the end of a ride. I tried to do a little washing in a cafe restroom, but that was folly. I'm in day 2 of my suffering and the blisters are just beginning to form. I'm hoping that the itching is peaking, but I doubt it. I had to go to the doctor for some prednizone. I hoping that I'll be able to sleep tonight. Damn the evil weed...damn it.

[Curmy]

Can somebody breed a variation of "sudden oak death" that actually attacks poison oak?

There must be enough genetic engineers around here..

[Spindelatron]

Originally Posted by Curmy

Can somebody breed a variation of "sudden oak death" that actually attacks poison oak?

There must be enough genetic engineers around here..

OR breed some animal that loves to eat the stuff. bonus points if it tastes good and goes well with darkish ale

[boomn]

Originally Posted by Curmy

Can somebody breed a variation of "sudden oak death" that actually attacks poison oak?

There must be enough genetic engineers around here..

If we have genetic engineers like that around I want them to start with people with chloroplasts... solve world hunger

[grumblingcrustacean]

Isn't that called a Goat? And I believe it meets the additional requirements of being tasty and goes well with beer.

-jim

[Curmy]

Actually, according to http://www.suddenoakdeath.org/html/h...ant_lists.html Sudden Oak death does in fact infect Poison Oak.

Just need a variety that infects only it.

[ratpick]

Originally Posted by Red PeeKay

This thread has seriously dented my desires to spend a summer stateside to ride!! Get your bikes and head downunder to Oz..... no poison oak there!! The occasional snake, spider webs across the track..... but seriously, nothing like the stuff this thread is describing!

Heh.. I'm an Aussie transplanted to the Bay Area so had no idea about PO.. got my first blisters on a Waterdog ride just 2 days before flying back to Sydney. Had no idea what it was. Went to the doctor in Sydney and he had no idea either. I'll take the man-eating spiders and snakes in Australia to PO any day!

I've made the mistake of having a soothing hot bath after exposure and seen small PO rashes popup all over.

Technu works for me although I usually don't notice it until a couple of days later when I'm just trying to stop the spread and keep it from turning into something gross like the pictures posted here!

I don't believe burning is a good way to get rid of it - last summer I did some trailwork in a very burned out section of Henry Coe SP and nearly all of the green coming back was PO. At least it was easy to spot

[mellowyellowCJ7]

Maybe I should post this in another thread, but would it be ok to spray weed killer on PO while doing a trail clean up?
Would the FS ever sign off on that?

[hanskellner]

A little late to the thread but here's some info from my site including a photo gallery of the nasty plant:

http://www.hanskellner.com/archives/...gredients.html

and

http://www.hanskellner.com/archives/..._oak_argh.html

Folks have posted some interesting stories and home remedies. Some that just might work.

Cheers!

[Ham Er Hed]

Originally Posted by mellowyellowCJ7

Maybe I should post this in another thread, but would it be ok to spray weed killer on PO while doing a trail clean up?
Would the FS ever sign off on that?

Round Up will kill PO. Will the FS ever sign off on it? The magic 8 ball says, "no way in hell"

[Piranha426]

Originally Posted by Curmy

Actually, according to http://www.suddenoakdeath.org/html/h...ant_lists.html Sudden Oak death does in fact infect Poison Oak.

Just need a variety that infects only it.

P. ramorum (the really strange, hard-to-classify organism that causes sudden oak death) can infect poison oak (which isn't actually an oak at all), but it won't kill it. The PO just serves as a host. Just another reason to hate PO...

Also, I thought I got PO rashes, but after seeing these photos, I realize I have NOTHING to ***** about. Holy crap, those are some gross photographs!

[Repack Rider]

I'm one of the lucky ones, I never get it and I ride where it is all the time.

PO seems obvious to me, and even though I don't get it I try not to wallow in it. A few years back I was out East and I asked a local to show me what Poison Ivy looked like. Unlike PO, which is distinctive in any phase, Poison Ivy looks like everything else growing near it.

[Curmy]

The worst case of poison oak I have heard about (thankfully, I was spared from seeing it) was from my good friend. His cat walks around. And then it uses his toilet seat to pee. Well trained cat. Except it was leaving poison oak oil on the seat. Which led to my friends ass and neighboring regions nearly falling off.

My friends also to discard more then one climbing rope. It is next to impossible to get all the poison oak residue from it - even after washing in technu. They have some funky dry proofing treatment - for some reason oak gets in, but does not completely wash out..

How about we all carry some glyphosate in a spray bottle and treat the p.oak shrub next to trail.. (yea, I know...)

[ratpick]

Oh.. about building up immunity by having small exposures - I read that this doesn't work - you're either immune or not.

I once saw a guy walking through Waterdog spraying some kind of weed killer on the PO close to the trail.. I thanked him profusely

[Curmy]

Originally Posted by ratpick

I once saw a guy walking through Waterdog spraying some kind of weed killer on the PO close to the trail.. I thanked him profusely

Environmentalists may hate me, but I will do that one evening. in a few spots it is way too easy to catch it.

[WheelieDrop]

Look around carefully before taking your pants down and crouching, 'nuff said... Yup, been there, I'm paranoid about PO since.

David.

[elennane]

Originally Posted by ratpick

Oh.. about building up immunity by having small exposures - I read that this doesn't work - you're either immune or not.

I once saw a guy walking through Waterdog spraying some kind of weed killer on the PO close to the trail.. I thanked him profusely

Building up immunity is a myth. Actually the more you're exposed the more severe the reaction.

http://www.zanfel.com/help/rashfaq.html

Myth: After the first time, I can't get poison ivy again.
Fact: Although not everyone reacts to poison ivy upon first or subsequent exposures, people generally become more sensitized with each contact and may react more severely to subsequent exposures. In addition, the reaction may last longer.

[Curmy]

Originally Posted by elennane

Myth: After the first time, I can't get poison ivy again.
Fact: Although not everyone reacts to poison ivy upon first or subsequent exposures, people generally become more sensitized with each contact and may react more severely to subsequent exposures. In addition, the reaction may last longer.

Myth: Once allergic, always allergic to poison ivy.
Fact: A person's sensitivity changes over time, even from season to season. People who were sensitive to poison ivy as children may not be allergic as adults.

[elennane]

Originally Posted by Curmy

Myth: Once allergic, always allergic to poison ivy.
Fact: A person's sensitivity changes over time, even from season to season. People who were sensitive to poison ivy as children may not be allergic as adults.

I guess that lucky 15% will have no problems. Too bad 85% of the population illustrates a sensitivity to Poison Oak. Yes, it can happen, but I'd expect that to be rare when the majority of opinion suggests that desensitizing to Posion Oak wouldn't be practical.

With regards to desensitization for PO, I suspect that series of shots could help you build a resistance to the weed, but I'm not aware of any program that has been approved by the FDA for this purpose.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyposensitization

Holistic approaches could be risky

Dr. Dean Edell:
http://www.nobhillgazette.com/whatsupdocmar06.html

Although I am a believer in allergy shots and desesitization, I went through them as a child, and feel that they helped me overcome asthma, I feel that a similar program for PO would be overkill considering the number of encourters and prevention is a much more effective method.

Yup some people grow out of it, and it is "possible" to be desensitized. However I'm not going to encourage anyone to build a resistance based on a holistic theoretical approach. It just hurts too much.

Written while in a Prednizone Fog.

Eric

photo of the beginning. Can't wait till tomorrow

[MTBShane]

I am considering quitting Mountain Biking after seeing this! Hahahaha. Isnt avoiding the Mtn Lions, rattlesnakes, hikers and horsies enough!!!! Sheesh......now I need to worry about being attacked by plants too!
;o)

[shanedawg]

One thing that has not been mentioned...you can carry around a travel pack of wet-ones or baby wipes and wipes your arms or calves mid ride or mid trailwork say and it will help take the oils off your skin immediately. This will help prevent or reduce the rash. Then when you get back to your house you can do the technu or dawn thing to get the remaining oils off your skin.

[dirtyskirt]

Originally Posted by WheelieDrop

Look around carefully before taking your pants down and crouching, 'nuff said... Yup, been there, I'm paranoid about PO since.

David.

+1
this I know from experience....

[Mike E]

Originally Posted by WheelieDrop

Look around carefully before taking your pants down and crouching, 'nuff said... Yup, been there, I'm paranoid about PO since.

David.

A lot of folks have learned this lesson the hard way. Fortunately my "lesson" involved a stinging nettle and not PO. I'll take a hour of buning over weeks of itching any day.