Poison Oak

[Pain Freak]

Did anybody else get zapped on this ride?I've got it on both arms by my elbows and on my ankle. I must be getting overly sensetive to this damn weed.

[LBmtb]

Sorry to hear about that. vondur got a little bit on the gravity day ride also. I've had a bit of experience with poison oak so here are some of my tips:

• Thoroughly wash any gear/clothes/chairs/etc that might have come in contact with the oil. A good shower should have washed away the oil but if you touched anything before then you could have brushed it off. Use something that works on oil.
• Slowly running an ice cube over the rash gets rid of the itch temporarily and feels good
• Avoid irritating it with heat and definitely do not scratch. Don't take hot/warm showers.
• Prednisone (steroid) seemed to work best for me but from what I've read different things work for different people. Prednisone is prescription only.
• Don't use Benadryl cream but benadryl pills or other anti-histamine pills help. Benadryl makes you drowsy, so two before bed is good as a sleep aid to knock you out in case you're worried about scratching in your sleep.
• Domoboro (astringent solution - over the counter) relieves pain and itching. It's a powder that you mix with water and then use that as a soak with a towel.

Also check out this thread. Let me know if you have any questions.

[dstepper]

No comment, I have ridden Sunset and El Prieto twice in the last two weeks and I am surprized that I am good. I used to think the section of Trabuco below Horsethief had allot of PO...nothing in comparison.

[dirttorpeedo]

last month mtb action had an article on p/o ive still got the mag if anyone wants it.

[Von-Skipp]

I must be immune to PO!!!!

[CalEpic]

I don't know if I'm immune or not, but I know for sure I had multiple contacts with PO on Sunday and no outbreaks so far. I'll just consider myself lucky.

[dukethenuke]

Originally Posted by IntenseKipp

I must be immune to PO!!!!

knock on wood

[Pain Freak]

Yeah, considering the amount I seen as we were riding, I'm suprised I only have it in a few places. I always seem to forget how bad it makes me itch till I get it again. I ran out of Technu and that's what I should of used.

[TURNERob]

Yeah I know I've brushed against it on several occasions and have never even really had an itch, so I must be immune. I know I did see plenty of it on Sunday.....hope yours goes away quick Mike.

[ApexMan]

Don't forget to wash your bike too, it gets on the bars and forks. Myself, I take a gallon of water for an after ride shower. I don't have a problem with po, but a little extra measure doesn't hurt.

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by LBmtb

Avoid irritating it with heat and definitely do not scratch. Don't take hot/warm showers.

I always thought that a hot shower or hot washcloth to the affected area was a good way to stop itching. There is a tremendously satisfying pain/itch sensation while heat is applied, and afterwords the itch is relieved for a relatively long time.

[Innes]

Spray it with hairspray. No joke. It works!