🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <1992Jul1.164145.29494@pbhye.PacBell.COM> mjvande@PacBell.COM (Mike Vandeman) writes:
>
>Yup, poison oak. The only thing I have found that helps at all is a very
>hot shower or bath immediately after exposure, to try to wash off the 
>oil that causes the allergic reaction. Calomine lotion, aloe vera, ice,
>etc. are all really worthless.

NO! HOT shower can help it spread faster. Cool shower ok.If you have rash,  
try making a paste of baking soda and water to apply; you can
hold it in place with a damp cloth if convenient. This will help
with symptomatic relief. If you have severe symptoms- puffy eyes,
and so forth- see a doctor.

Only one thing in my long history has offered absolute proof
against breaking out with poison oak after exposure, and
it works only if used right away, BEFORE any symptoms show up.
Bathe all exposed portions with Fels Naptha soap. This is not
as easy to find as it used to be, but some larger markets
still carry it. I advise anyone who MIGHT be hiking through the
stuff to have this soap on hand ready for use as soon as
possible after exposure. It smells terrible, but it works.

-- 
Dorothy Westphal, Sunnyvale, Calif. % Just when things are going your way...%
westphal@iscnvx.lmsc.lockheed.com   %               they get even better!   %