Zanfel Poison Ivy Cure
March 22nd, 2005
We have a child. We live in Michigan. We also like camping. Combine these three things, and you’ve got a pretty good recipe for someone (probably Crysania) havnig a run-in with poison ivy. If that happens, we probably wouldn’t complain about paying overnight shipping for Zanfel. That is assuming we’re not clever enough to order it beforehand.
Update: Since quite a few people seem to have landed here, I thought I’d provide a handy link to Amazon for this item.
We make a great poison ivy product available at most Walgreens called Sumactin http://www.sumactin.com
While it’s nice to learn of alternatives, it’s a bigger deal to learn of alternatives with *trusted* testimonials. Or, even better, comparative analysis like what Consumer Reports does.
Zanfel, from all I’ve read (and from reliable places), does the job very well. Sumactin might work also, but I don’t know that I’d want to be the guinea pig.
I am not sure every product works the same on every person it is a matter of finding what works best for you. We do not go camping now without TecnuExtreme. It works like nothing else for me and the cost is half of Zanfel.
I have also used Tecnu Extreme, the latest improvement to Tecnu which I had previously used without fail for 25 years. Tecnu Extreme is amazing! Just as good as Zanfel but you get 4 ounces for $14.99. You can also print off a $2 coupon on their website, http://www.tecnuextreme.com
I have used Tecnu Extreme at half the price, but I had ti use 3 tubes and still not get relief. So it cost me more and with no relief. I used Zanfel ONCE and the itching stopped. Price was not an issue, when I can stop the itching with one application.
I used Zanfel after I had the rash 7 days. I waited that long because I wasn’t aware what type of rash I had. I picked a few mangos off my fathers tree and got sap on my forearm. I never thought anything of it and simply wiped it with my t-shirt. The next day I developed a rash and still didn’t make the connection. Nobody realy talks about the poison ivy, mango tree sap urushiol oil connection. Anyway, the Zanfel made the itch stop, but the redness seems to have gotton worse. I had blisters and now have inflammation all around the blisters. I was wondering, if scrubbing with Zanfel broke open the urushiol oil and it now spread farther. The itch is gone, so maybe it will heal now?
The cure to removing poison ivy from your body!
The Key to not breaking out with poison ivy is to get the urushoil off of you ASAP. DO NOT USE HOT WATER.
The irritant in poison ivy is urushoil. It is a sticky oil.
If you come into contact with it, it will cause problems until it is removed from your skin and anything that comes in contact with your skin. There are several products sold just for this.
I’m very allergic to urushoil and have tried many. The best and most readily available is the same soap that your mechanic uses to remove motor oil from their hands.
Because urushoil is a sticky oil it does require a little more scrubbing but it works 100%.
Directions for removal:
1.Apply the soap dry (DO NOT ADD WATER) to the affected area.
2. Scrub for 2 minutes. The soap needs to get between the urushiol and your skin. It will temporily break down the oils ability to stick.
3. Wash off completely with COLD water. If you use hot water, then you may be in for an unpleasant surprise!
Note: The residue soap will now contain the urushoil, and when the residue drys it may become sticky oil again.
4. All itchiness should be gone. If not repeat the process.
I like Lava and JoJo brands the best. The grittier the better.
Walmart, KMart, Your local auto parts store will all carry this soap. I usually buy the 16 oz squeeze bottles for around ~$2.
This soap also gets the urushiol and many stains out of clothes. Just be sure to hose the residue off the clothes before adding them to your laundry.
That makes sense. That’s a great tip! Thanks!