In an earlier post, I discussed the new technology available to help you defeat poison ivy and oak. This last summer, I used the block and cleanse elements pretty well. I guess it worked because I got nailed the only time I did not use it.
I was fishing on the Gunpowder and did not put on the Ivy Block for some reason. “No big deal”, I thought. Before Ivy Block, I would rinse off in the cold water in the stream and then towel dry. On this particular day, I was running late and forgot to bring a towel.
So, I just wiped down with my T-Shirt, the same one I had been wearing all day. In the process, poison ivy oil spread everywhere – face, arms, legs. Geez. When you consider the result, I must have rubbed up against every vine in Maryland. It’s pretty dang dumb for a guy who knows how allergic he is. Sure enough, about 3 days later, I exploded in a deep poison ivy rash.
Never again! I now carry the Ivy Block in my pack along with a number of the Ivy Cleanse towelettes to ensure that I have them when I need them. I have not had any problem since this dumb stunt – and that includes trips to various sections of the North Branch, which is full of poison ivy near the railbeds due to the additional sun that the rail cut provides.
Bottom line: Watch where you step, use this stuff if you are allergic.
I have been able to find Ivy Block at CVS, but the only place I found the Cleanse product has been on Amazon. You can also get the Cleanse and Ivy Block as part of a kit called Ivy Complete at CVS.
One instant of stupidity produced several weeks of nasty rashes.
Unless stated otherwise, this article was authored by Steve Moore