pop and i took a job once to clear a lot that was infested with poison oak. you would not believe the precautions we took to stay clean. we found out that when you cut a stem the sap sprays out in a mist. like an atomizer. i don’t know if any got on us through all the protection we were wearing, but it must have covered all that , head to toe. then we got it 2nd hand taking all our protection off. we were miserable for weeks.
The worst that I had was when I was about 10 yo, and went to summer camp. They had a pen with sheep in it, so my sister and I thought we’d feed them. Little did we know that we were grabbing handfuls of poison ivy. Of course we touched everything, and figured it out the next day when we were in agony. We got sent home from camp soon after.
Poison ivy is actually harmless. The problem is that 9 out of 10 people have an allergic reaction to an otherwise harmless oil in the sap (urushiol – see Wikipedia article) which leaks to the surface when the plant is damaged or in late fall. This oil is also on the rind of mangos in small amounts.
I grew up on a farm, and could even pull up the plants with no ill effects. One of the problems is that some kids are brought up these days too clean. I read once that kids with intestinal parasites rarely have asthma. We have very developed immune systems – if the system isn’t given something to fight, it will find something. (Personally, I think I’d rather deal with asthma than round – pin – hook worms)
That’s why you never see cashews unhulled – poison ivy is in the cashew family, and the hulls are slightly toxic.Also, I’ve heard that a horse can make a meal of poison ivy with no ill effects – but woe unto the person that takes off the bridle.
I have been an outdoorsman,hunter and fisherman all my life and I know I have gotten into poison oak and ivy many times, but I have never broken out from it. I’ve even cleared lots infested with it. I’m told that I’m just not allergic to it.
I have been itching to post. To comment. Alas, everyone has done their best to scratch out a funny comment. But not me. Maybe next itch..@Number Six – Koenig really did make Bester his own.
bluskies almost 13 years ago
Scratch me off the patient list.
pouncingtiger almost 13 years ago
This strip makes me feel like jumping into a patch of Poison Oak.
rockngolfer almost 13 years ago
I zinc he is thinking of calamine.
Happy, happy, happy!!! Premium Member almost 13 years ago
pop and i took a job once to clear a lot that was infested with poison oak. you would not believe the precautions we took to stay clean. we found out that when you cut a stem the sap sprays out in a mist. like an atomizer. i don’t know if any got on us through all the protection we were wearing, but it must have covered all that , head to toe. then we got it 2nd hand taking all our protection off. we were miserable for weeks.
gobblingup Premium Member almost 13 years ago
The worst that I had was when I was about 10 yo, and went to summer camp. They had a pen with sheep in it, so my sister and I thought we’d feed them. Little did we know that we were grabbing handfuls of poison ivy. Of course we touched everything, and figured it out the next day when we were in agony. We got sent home from camp soon after.
jtviper7 almost 13 years ago
Never squat in the woods…
Elaine Rosco Premium Member almost 13 years ago
I’m itching just from reading the comments!
valheru almost 13 years ago
@Cooncat… Isn’t the very essence of comedy laughing at the misfortune of others?
peterbiltman1980 almost 13 years ago
Then there are people (as myself) who can pick up Poison Oak or posion ivy without any ill effects. I guess I am lucky in that respect. Smile
Karaboo2 almost 13 years ago
My ex wife got poison ivy on her brain…..the only way she could scratch it was to think about sandpaper. Hehhehheh
danketaz Premium Member almost 13 years ago
the green rock is probably covered with it.
stuart almost 13 years ago
Poison ivy is actually harmless. The problem is that 9 out of 10 people have an allergic reaction to an otherwise harmless oil in the sap (urushiol – see Wikipedia article) which leaks to the surface when the plant is damaged or in late fall. This oil is also on the rind of mangos in small amounts.
tuslog64 almost 13 years ago
I grew up on a farm, and could even pull up the plants with no ill effects. One of the problems is that some kids are brought up these days too clean. I read once that kids with intestinal parasites rarely have asthma. We have very developed immune systems – if the system isn’t given something to fight, it will find something. (Personally, I think I’d rather deal with asthma than round – pin – hook worms)
tuslog64 almost 13 years ago
That’s why you never see cashews unhulled – poison ivy is in the cashew family, and the hulls are slightly toxic.Also, I’ve heard that a horse can make a meal of poison ivy with no ill effects – but woe unto the person that takes off the bridle.
iced tea almost 13 years ago
I never had poison ivy as a kid, just as an adult. It sure was an itch.
Tsali-Queyi almost 13 years ago
I have been an outdoorsman,hunter and fisherman all my life and I know I have gotten into poison oak and ivy many times, but I have never broken out from it. I’ve even cleared lots infested with it. I’m told that I’m just not allergic to it.
Pygar almost 13 years ago
Never trust your immunity to the stuff- it can go away without you knowing it.
Hunter7 almost 13 years ago
I have been itching to post. To comment. Alas, everyone has done their best to scratch out a funny comment. But not me. Maybe next itch..@Number Six – Koenig really did make Bester his own.