Iocane Powder and Poison Ivy

In our ongoing quest to build a castle, we have hit our first challenge. The land we purchased is riddled with poison ivy. Jeania appears to be way more easily affected by the stuff than I am, having it spread across her body at the slightest exposure to urushiol oil.  I've managed to suffer through a rash on my left wrist and right ring finger.

We've tried all the usual remedies: calamine lotion, aloe-based lotions, vinegar, commercial poison-ivy soaps, and for Jeania, a steroid shot followed by a 5 day steroid pill regimen. In general, all of them help to sooth the pain and reduce the severity of outbreaks, but none have put a stop to it.

About a week ago, we started trying a product called Oral Ivy, available at Amazon. So far, we have had no ill effects, and it has helped Jeania's pre-existing rashes to dry up quite rapidly. We do not yet know if its claimed prophylactic effects are real, but we're trying it and I will report on that later.


It is a strange product, to be sure. It is simply poison ivy infused into an alcohol solution. That sounds like the absolute last thing you would want to ingest if you're allergic to poison ivy's urushiol oil. In fact, it sounds downright dangerous. But perhaps there's some logic to it - by providing small enough doses over a long enough period of time, maybe the body reduces its sensitivity or builds up an immunity, like Wesley built up an immunity to Iocane Powder in The Princess Bride. Who knows? Like I say, we're trying it and will report on its efficacy in the coming months.

UPDATE 2013-04-04: Jeania's most recent rash has not itched since Tuesday, and has subsided substantially.  So far, this is looking very promising, as Jeania's previous outbreaks have lasted much longer, and urushiol- induced rashes supposedly get worse with each encounter.  Still no ill side-effects.

UPDATE 2013-05-13: Well, it's been about a month and a half, and this stuff is amazing. Last Sunday, we were cutting down some trees and I had to move a log right by Jeania's head (long story - I need to write that one up).  On the log, there was a hanging vine of poison ivy that I hadn't noticed, and it slid right across her face.  She has had no rash from it whatsoever.  I cannot recommend Oral Ivy enough.

UPDATE 2013-05-22: Jeania developed a poison ivy rash on her leg. We are not sure if there was direct contact, or if she scratched a mosquito bite and the urushiol oil in her body from the vine-to-the-face incident found a foothold to irritate the skin, or what. She increased her Oral Ivy dosage, and the rash has subsided and is disappearing.  The instructions for Oral Ivy indicate that if you already have a rash, you should take several drops, several times a day, and during the rest of the season you should take 5 drops a day prophylactically.  We're disappointed that the prophylactic effect has not been 100% perfect, but pleased that the "with-a-rash" regiment continues to work.  Hopefully this isn't a sign that the body will lose resistance with prolonged use.  Amazon reviews seem to suggest that isn't the case.  Fingers crossed.