How to Prevent Poison Oak

Prevent Poison Oak

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I'm an expert at GETTING poison oak. I've had it many times and once so intense it went systemic and showed up all over my body, miles from the original site where the leaves of three touched me. I've even gotten it THROUGH my clothes. So I've become an expert at PREVENTING poison oak. There are some other great tips here in eHow & weHow land, but my top prevention aids were missing, so I offer them up.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Step1

An ounce of prevention: be VERY aware when hiking and biking in the woods, especially damp, shady areas where poison oak likes to grow. I've seen people blithely walk right into poison oak even though they've been warned. I myself have turned BACK when seeing a trail so covered with poison oak that I can't wade through it safely.

Step2

Mugwort! It's the antidote to poison oak and the best news is it grows near it. If you suspect you've brushed up against the wicked poison oak, grab fistfuls of mugwort, scrunch it up and rub it all over your exposed skin areas. It will break up the oak's oil.

Step3

If there's a creek, stream or lake nearby, then thoroughly rinse off.

Step4

As soon as you return home, wash with Tecnu Outdoor Skin Cleanser (it's most effective within two hours of exposure). I know this site's not about pushing name brands, but this product is fantastic at cutting the poison oak oil. You can find it at sporting goods stores.

Step5

Wash your clothes with Tecnu as well.

Tips & Warnings

Even though the saying goes "green leaves of three," poison oak is still dangerous when the leaves are red, which is what they turn in the fall and winter.
Bare branches of poison oak plants can still get you--don't brush up against them, either.

Comments

flycow said

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on 5/4/2008 I make a wonderful product that is so effective is it now Doctor recommended. It is called Poison Oak Antidote and it works well for both prevention and treatment of poison oak. As an herbalist, I have literally tried everything conventional and non-conventional and this is the best I have concocted. Our following continues to grow and all we hear is "this is the best, why have I not been using this the whole time"...well it is new, give it a try. Order it online at www.udderlyherbal.com or visit many generous retailers in Humboldt Cownty.

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