Poison Oak

<p>I'm going to go photograph some amphipians in an area known for posion oak, I'm going to have a spare set of clothes to change into afterwards, dispossable gloves, and some Technu, but how do I get the posion oak off my boots when I'm done? Any Thoughts?</p>

<p>What you're dealing with is an oil. So you need a substance that will break up and flush that oil away. Hot soapy water usually works. Even easier if you're talking about rubber wellies or waders. It's harder with cloth/leather boots, to be sure.<br /></p>

<p>Consider buying some black rubber chore boots at Walmart for fifteen bucks, and a cheap jumpsuit and gloves. Pay attention and don't touch your face. Peel the clothes off and put them into a plastic bag before putting them into your car. If you don't know what the stuff looks like you will likely end up itchy anyway.<br>

Kent in SD</p>

<p>Take your boots off with your disposable gloves on. Wash your boots in hot soapy water with a scrub brush. Wash your tripod feet, too.</p>

<p>Mostly learn what poison oak/ivy/sumac look like in all four seasons. And don't touch any of your mucus menbranes with any part of you (hands, clothing, shoes) that touched the plant.</p>

<p>Finally, as soon as you get home, get in the shower with a good scrubbing sponge and soap and shampoo your hair as well.</p>

<p>A real case of poison oak/ivy is quite disabling. Some people are so sensitive they end up in the hospital, and the cortisone shots are not fun either.</p>

<p>Any additional thoughts how to keep those oils off the camera body, I'm not sure I'm using a tripod, I'm going to be on a steep incline (river bank). Maybe a clear plastic bag over the body.</p>

<p>One thing to be aware of for sure is the idea not to be fooled by large plants of the stuff that may look like a tree or other shrub, study all the poison plants on the web. Sometimes poison ivy will take over an entire dead tree. If it's real bad, it might be good to wear some disposable environmental "haz-mat" wear and booty covers and just toss the outer suit when done. Of course you will look ridiculous but you won't be in the hospital later in exchange for some hot amphibious pics. I will tell you that I have been fishing for many years, and some of the areas are packed with poison ivy, we don't have much oak around here, but either can be nasty. Usually before I get down to any business, I will just scout the area with no equipment to get a good idea exactly what's brewing. This can include plants, danger areas, strange wildlife, wasp and hornet hangouts, tick infestations and on and on. Sometimes you worry so much about the poison oak that 10 minutes into it you're hosting 20-30 ticks digging into your skin and you now have a new problem. Another option is a good set of fishing waders, although expensive, you can scrub these and use them over again, but it's a hassel. Watch also for vines hanging from tres that look almost like friendly foliage but after it catches you across the face it's too late. "Be afraid, be very afraid..." ;-) By the way can you approach and do your work from the water itself, much less problem unless unfriendly crocks.</p>

<p>I wish I could approach from the water, I'll be working in the Merced River Canyon outside Yosmite Natioanal Park. I'm going after an endagered amphipain, so I'm still deciding if the trade of risk will be worth it. I've been told that the oak doesn't have any leaves this time of year, but I'll also be on possilbe tallus slopes. I have a good pair of fishing waders (for photogrpahy) but I'm concerned the boots attached won't of the hold I need for the possibly mossey rocks.</p>

<p>Poison oak is going to be pretty hard to identify this time of year. It's deciduous and all the leaves are off the stems right now, and there's not much way to tell the difference from other more benign plants. The stems still have the oil and can you can react to the oil in them. I'd go with the disposable haz-mat suit. I've seen some in hospitals that maintenance techs wear into the operating room. Good luck.</p>

<p>Sometimes I'll put a big food bag around my camera and cut a hole out for the lens/filter diameter and leave just the lens exposed (not for poison oak, but other things). This won't work if you have to change lenses, but otherwise is a convenient way to "proof" the camera against stuff, and it's disposable.</p>

<p>When I was a kid, I lived in a newer development area and they used to burn poison oak. My eyes were puffed tightly shut half the time. I'm actually immune to the stuff now.</p>

<p>The first thing I'd check is whether or not poison oak affects you. Many people are lucky enough not to be allergic to it and I'd hate to see you go through a lot of trouble to solve a problem that doesn't exist. If you're very allergic, a hazmat suit may be the way to go. If you're only weakly alergic, just make sure to cover all of your skin, keep your fingers off your face and shower thoroughly when you get done. As for the camera, either clean it with some soapy water or cover it with a bag while you're in the field. </p>

<p>I'm not terribly sensitive (as in never had a reaction) to it but had friends growing up who were very sensitive. It was always good for a week off school for one of them (a fairly miserable week though). Except for an episode in Point Lobos (my dad and one of the former head rangers were school friends so we visited them there a few times and got into it once as kids, with no reaction), I've generally made an effort to notice it and stay out of it.</p>

<p>One thing to consider is that even if you aren't sensitive (or don't know), if you get the oil on clothing and gear, you might transfer it to other items, to car upholstery, etc., and that might be a problem for someone else. so discardable barriers aren't necessarily a bad idea. I don't know how risky it is this time of year there, it hasn't gone completely leafless down in the areas around where I live in SoCal though.</p>

<p>As a researcher who photographs a lot of amphibians myself (I'm actually doing some research in Chytrid fungi impacts locally in Indiana) I was just wondering what species you are working with.</p>

<p>Craig M, I about in tears right now. Should David send for a small bag of Merced River PO and test it on his backside? Even if he goes to an allergist and gets the all-clear, he still needs to take precautions, and as Craig G brings out the top point, this oil has a VERY long life and can be transferred easily to other things maybe causing someone else harm. Please, no offense intended and I'm sure it was well meaning, but your advise needs some clarifying. It did give me a good chuckle imagining the testing process though. Another excellent resource would be one of the Universities nearby that has a botany or horticultural program. Here in NJ, Rutgers University has renowned plant-life asistance program.</p>

<p>For many people, the reaction to Poison Oak worsens with increasing number of exposures. Even if you are not allergic now, you may develop such reactions later in life. I recommend minimizing any skin contact to Poison Oak. </p>

<p>David,</p>

<p>I'm someone who is extremely sensitive to poison ivy, so I'm always very careful when I'm out in the woods. On the other hand, I still get a bit of a rash every year from a little contact. I don't let it stop me - I'm just aware and even that's not good enough. Also, when I get back from the woods and I've seen poison ivy, then I'll wash with warm soap & water as soon as possible. You might consider taking some moist towelettes with you in your vehicle.</p>

<p>First, consider doing some research on Poison Oak. For example, if you're crossing a talus slope, I'd be less worried about it there for the most part. I'd be more worried about being in its habitat if I'm on the edge of the woods, a wet area (where amphibians might be), a disturbed area, etc.</p>

<p>The hazmat suit idea that folks floated is pretty good. You can pick up this basic type of suit at a hardware or painting store - something to slip over your clothing to keep the paint off of you whilst you're painting. Your biggest concern will be your legs/pants & feet/shoes. Think about getting some disposable booties, too. But, as others pointed out, remove your disposable items while you still have your gloves on. Think ahead about how you'll undress, etc., so that you have your trash bag or whatever outside of your backpack! ;)</p>

<p>I was once talking with a hunter who had these really expensive wax-impregnated pants, that would repel water, stay dry, etc., while hunting. He once wore them while berry picking and ended up in a mess of poison ivy. The poison ivy irritant basically soaks into the wax and there was no way to get it out! His several hundred dollar pair of pants were relegated to the trash. It's best to sacrifice a bit of disposable clothing or cheap boots than to let the irritant to get into your clothing.</p>

<p>Good luck and I can't wait to see your photographs,</p>

<p>Tim!</p>

<p>I would not try to "test" to see if you are sensitive. Often the way the body works is there is no reaction to the first exposure, but with the second exposure, "WHAM!" If there are no leaves it will be safer, especially if twigs aren't broken. I have worn rubber waders through areas of low growing poison ivy and then removed and bagged them before getting back into my car. Carry some alcohol wipes or a bottle of it and tissue to wipe your hands down. You have to wash it off within 20 minutes of exposure. Are you sure amphibians are still out this time of year? All of ours have disappeared for the winter.<br>

Kent in SD</p>

<p>Douglas-The species is the Limestone Salamander-From what I understand it is only in a few locations if California and then Europe.<br>

Kent-Central California's winter's are quite mild compared to northern latitudes. The people that I've talked who have seen this species before have seen it during the x-mas bird count, so if anything I'm early.<br>

I appreciate all the great advice, keep it coming!</p>

 

<p>you should probably have some Benadryl on hand in case you do get exposed and have a bad reaction.</p>

<p>If it's your boots you're worried about, you can probably just tie bags around your boots, or duct tape them, or find a pair of shin length gaiters to cover your boots. Poison oak can grow thick and tall, though, and chances are your boots will be the least of your worries if you're severely allergic, like me. I come across it often on wildfires, and I carry lots of duct tape, bandage tape, gauze, rags, gloves, and a <strong>non</strong>-oil based soap to wash up every chance I get. Use cold water only. WARM WATER IS A BAD IDEA. It may feel good. It feels like the best scratch to an itch you could ever feel to run hot water over affected areas, but this will open up your pores, allowing the oil to seep and spread easier, and if you happen to be allergic, you may find yourself looking like the toxic avenger, with pus and blood seeping out what looks like boils on your body, face, and uh, other areas. Technu is pretty much worthless for me. Your best bet may just be to wear disposable clothing. I generally stay aware, and if possible, away from the stuff. I've also been known physically threaten anyone that has been crashing through the stuff, if they try to come anywhere near me or touch me. Your reaction may not be as bad, so you won't know until you know. You know?</p>

Here's a link to a photo of the culprit. Nasty stuff. I never would want to tangle with it again. http://www.pbase.com/robert_becker/image/114797704

<p>Warning David.<br>

The animal seems to be listed as a threatened species. Make sure you have a proper permit likely from the State of California or you may have bigger issues than a rash on your skin for the Poison Oak. Here in Indiana such permits only cost $10 and allows us to temporarily handle listed species. Otherwise it can be a very steep fine. If it is also ferderally listed species (I didn't check) the fine can be upwards of $25,000.</p>

<p>That photo is how it looks in late spring after it's leafed out. Later on in summer the leaves become darker green, turning red in late summer and early fall. The plants along the Merced River are undoubtedly now entirely leafless. It's possible to learn what the bare stems look like (relative to other deciduous shrubs in the area) but that takes some practice. Poison oak is insidious and will grow up through other plants, so even if you can identify the bare stems you probably won't see it until it's too late. You'll essentially have to assume that all bare stems are poison oak if you don't have any practice in identifying it.</p>

<p>You could also look into the disposable bunny suits used in high tech manufacturing. Be cautious, I get a rash, but my sister gets so much worse, it's life threatening for her. The only thing you can do with something exposed is either disposal or very soapy water.</p>

Wow Robert, great picture of the plant. It's true, this thing is made in hell! You have to be extremely cautious at all costs and if you by chance get in contact with poison oak, you MUST wash the are with water before 10 minutes have passed. I read also about a remedy vith vinegar and baking soda at

 

http://www.poisonoakrash.net/poison-oak-cure.html

 

have any of you tried this method?