Playing with poison ivy?

[pens4life29]

Just as the title says, I was curious about the possibility of playing with poison ivy? I have a tournament this weekend that starts tonight, and I broke out with poison ivy about 4 or 5 days ago now. For the most part it is clearing up, but it is def still there. I am just curious if anyone has ever done this before, or had any advice on it either way. I am worried about the possibly of spreading it through my gear and in the end making it worse. I want to get rid of this as fast as possible, but I'm pretty bummed about missing an entire tournament.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[Stryker908]

Originally Posted by pens4life29

Just as the title says, I was curious about the possibility of playing with poison ivy? I have a tournament this weekend that starts tonight, and I broke out with poison ivy about 4 or 5 days ago now. For the most part it is clearing up, but it is def still there. I am just curious if anyone has ever done this before, or had any advice on it either way. I am worried about the possibly of spreading it through my gear and in the end making it worse. I want to get rid of this as fast as possible, but I'm pretty bummed about missing an entire tournament.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Depending on where you are infected I would wrap the spot to prevent it from infesting your gear...

Maybe Seran wrap over the area taped in place and then covered with some bandages ?


Something to keep it off your gear !

[pens4life29]

Originally Posted by Stryker908

Depending on where you are infected I would wrap the spot to prevent it from infesting your gear...

Maybe Seran wrap over the area taped in place and then covered with some bandages ?


Something to keep it off your gear !

Haha of course the gear comes first!

But there pretty much isn't an area on my body that's not infected. I have it on my ankles, my arms(where it's the worst, but clearing up really good),my stumach alittle, and even a tiny bit on my face. I could def wrap my arms up and do something for my ankles. I just don't know if sweating will have any bother it in anyway.

[slippifish]

I'm no expert, but I did a bit of a search. You might want to check with your doctor to be absolutely sure there's nothing you're missing.

This article was pretty thorough and should give you an idea as to whether it's likely that you'll spread the poison ivy oils to your gear. (Yeah, I worried about the gear, first, too. But it's not about the gear...it's about the rash you could get later, of course.)

Poison Ivy Dermatitis

If the rash is 4 or 5 days old and it's clearing up (i.e., you're not getting any new rashes), I would think that you've probably washed away any of the remaining poison ivy oil, and by now you've probably washed or cleaned any of the clothes, tools, or whatever that came in contact with the oil. At least I hope you have. So you're unlikely to get the nasty oil on your gear unless you touch it with stuff that has poison ivy resin on it. The stuff that's on your skin has already reacted with your skin and bonded with it. The stuff that's oozing out of your blisters apparently doesn't count.

The website above had this to say:

" The best thing to do if you know you've been exposed to poison ivy / oak / sumac is to wash your skin immediately with rubbing alcohol (or Tecnu®), in which the resin is soluble. Beer or other beverages containing alcohol will help to dissolve the resin if rubbing alcohol is not available. Soap works, but not as well. If the oil has been on the skin for less than six hours, a thorough cleansing with strong soap, repeated three times, may lessen or even prevent a reaction.

If you do wash with soap, make sure you do it in the shower so the resin is washed down the drain, not deposited in a slick on the sides of the tub to spread to others. If you can wash the area with plain cold water within a few hours of being exposed you may be able to remove a lot of the urushiol. Use a LOT of COLD water. Be aware that the water is simply spreading the oil around; the idea is to use enough water to wash all of the oil from your body.

Do not use hot water which can open your pores to the oil.

The resin is absorbed quickly into the skin. If the oil is on your skin for as little as ten to fifteen minutes, it can lead to an allergic reaction. The eruption is characterized by redness, papules (bumps), vesicles (blisters) and linear ("in a line") streaking. Mild cases can last 5 to 12 days. More severe cases can last up to 30 days or longer.

The eruption usually appears within two or three days but may occur within eight hours. The eruption rarely is delayed longer than ten days.

Once the rash appears, the original oil has all bonded to the victim's skin, so it can't be spread to others.

Contrary to popular belief, the fluid in the vesicles or blisters is not allergic and will not spread the rash. The blisters are the body's natural allergic reaction to poison oak and poison ivy. If the blisters break and ooze, the fluid does not contain the oils that cause spreading. The rash will frequently break out in stages and continue spreading for the first 1 or 2 days.

If new areas of rash appear after 3 days, you are probably getting re-exposed to the plant oils, most likely from contaminated clothing, tools, or even your cat or dog (their fur protects them but can harbor the oil for a prolonged period of time). As mentioned above, the resin will remain on any exposed (but uncleaned) objects such as clothing or equipment. If you put on your exposed shoes a week later, you can wipe the resin from your shoes onto your face or other areas."

a few other links that say similar things:
poison ivy
Swimming With The Poison Ivy Or Oak Rash - DrGreene.com - caring for the next generation

I didn't see any warnings against engaging in vigorous exercise, so I have no idea whether that would make you feel worse or not.

Certainly I've exercised while suffering from maddening skin rashes (I am prone to eczema/atopic dermatitis) without huge ill effects, although sometimes the sweat could sting and irritate my skin, and sometimes I was not a happy camper as a result. Supposedly heat can make you feel worse, too. So it's possible you might get kind of uncomfortable getting all hot and sweaty. I'd be more cautious of course if your rash was still really, really severe.

[sthbayguy]

Originally Posted by pens4life29

Haha of course the gear comes first!

But there pretty much isn't an area on my body that's not infected. I have it on my ankles, my arms(where it's the worst, but clearing up really good),my stumach alittle, and even a tiny bit on my face. I could def wrap my arms up and do something for my ankles. I just don't know if sweating will have any bother it in anyway.

As long as the original oils from the plant are'nt still on your skin or clothes, it cannot be spread. Only the oil itself can spread it (not the oozey stuff from the rash). Once you've washed thoroughly, (which i'm sure you have by now...) it won't spread. It seems like it sometimes as different skin areas and sensitivities get the rash at different rates. So if you scratch your forearm and your eyelid at the same time, guess which one swells shut quicker. I found that one out the hard way...

You don't need to wrap it unless thats what's comfortable. I personally like to keep thing uncovered, cool and dry. I can tell you from experience though that there is nothing like a cold shower to cool that burning sensation you'll get from getting heated up in a game.

[slippifish]

Originally Posted by slippifish

Beer or other beverages containing alcohol will help to dissolve the resin if rubbing alcohol is not available.

btw, I believe that topical application of these liquids is intended.

[sthbayguy]

Originally Posted by slippifish

btw, I believe that topical application of these liquids is intended.

Wow! Beer? I'll be sure to stock an extra one in my disc golf bag next time...

[pens4life29]

Originally Posted by sthbayguy

As long as the original oils from the plant are'nt still on your skin or clothes, it cannot be spread. Only the oil itself can spread it (not the oozey stuff from the rash). Once you've washed thoroughly, (which i'm sure you have by now...) it won't spread. It seems like it sometimes as different skin areas and sensitivities get the rash at different rates. So if you scratch your forearm and your eyelid at the same time, guess which one swells shut quicker. I found that one out the hard way...

You don't need to wrap it unless thats what's comfortable. I personally like to keep thing uncovered, cool and dry. I can tell you from experience though that there is nothing like a cold shower to cool that burning sensation you'll get from getting heated up in a game.

I too read that the puss from the blisters will not cause spreading, but for some reason it kept spreading. I think what happend was, I wasn't aware that I had come in contact with it until the next day, took a hot shower after all the yard work was done, which spread it to other places. And depending on when you come in contact with the oil, determins when the rash will develop. This is probably what gave me the thought that I was spreading it.

My biggest concern with playing, is that all the sweat and nasty stuff would some how cause a reaction in the blisters and possibly become infected. As much as I really really want to play this weekend, I would rather save myself a trip from the hospital.

[pens4life29]

Originally Posted by sthbayguy

Wow! Beer? I'll be sure to stock an extra one in my disc golf bag next time...

*Mom finds a 30 pack in my closet*

" It's for my poison ivy Mom! I sware!"

[sthbayguy]

You should be fine.

I don't think that the sores are very vulnerable to infection as long as you wash thoroughly after your game. If you have any big open pussy(sp.) sores you should cover them lightly with gauze just to keep from irritation from your pads rubbing, as well as to keep them clean.

Besides, now a days antibiotics can cure most infections before your next game...

[The Wall33]

Originally Posted by sthbayguy

You should be fine.

I don't think that the sores are very vulnerable to infection as long as you wash thoroughly after your game. If you have any big open pussy(sp.) sores you should cover them lightly with gauze just to keep from irritation from your pads rubbing, as well as to keep them clean.

Besides, now a days antibiotics can cure most infections before your next game...

Thanks for correcting that for us...

[pens4life29]

Originally Posted by The Wall33

Thanks for correcting that for us...

Hahaha.No I'm pretty sure I'm clear of those thanks.

[slippifish]

Originally Posted by pens4life29

My biggest concern with playing, is that all the sweat and nasty stuff would some how cause a reaction in the blisters and possibly become infected. As much as I really really want to play this weekend, I would rather save myself a trip from the hospital.

hmmmm...I guess that's a reasonable concern, depending on how nasty/raunchy you think your gear and/or your dressing rooms might be, and how bad your blisters and broken skin are at the moment. Plus we all know some bugs can be pretty nasty these days. The risk is slight, but of course you never know.

Can you get a quick gear clean done? For instance, at one of those places that fog your gear with ozone for 20 minutes (e.g., Sani Sport or Fresh Gear Fresh Gear - Sports Equipment Cleaning Machines (Hockey, Football, Lacrosse & More!) Your Source for Clean Sports Gear). Those treatments are supposedly good for reducing the nasties in your gear and would probably give you peace of mind.

The other thing to do (whether or not you get your gear cleaned) is

(a) wear a clean layer underneath everything, so your skin doesn't actually touch your gear. I wear underarmour tights and a long-sleeve shirt, plus a pair of thin gloves (they're some sort of breathable liner glove; I've seen another goalie use these scratchy plastic bath gloves from the drug store, and drug stores often sell thin white cotton gloves as well). I do this to keep my gear cleaner, but it can keep your skin cleaner as well.

(b) shower *right* after playing, if you don't already, and do that soap and water thing.

you might also want to think about bringing some extra towels/extra under-layers so you can keep switching to fresh ones when you have a chance, rather than sitting in your own stew, or using a towel that's been sitting in your damp hockey bag all day.

anyway, good luck and have lots of fun if you do choose to play.

[Manny33]

I've been in your same position before, and i played. Everything went fine and i had no ill effects. Just make sure to sanitize your gear (ie lysol) before you play to try and kill off an bacteria. It's what i did and seemed to work for me.

[pens4life29]

Originally Posted by slippifish

hmmmm...I guess that's a reasonable concern, depending on how nasty/raunchy you think your gear and/or your dressing rooms might be, and how bad your blisters and broken skin are at the moment. Plus we all know some bugs can be pretty nasty these days. The risk is slight, but of course you never know.

Can you get a quick gear clean done? For instance, at one of those places that fog your gear with ozone for 20 minutes (e.g., Sani Sport or Fresh Gear Fresh Gear - Sports Equipment Cleaning Machines (Hockey, Football, Lacrosse & More!) Your Source for Clean Sports Gear). Those treatments are supposedly good for reducing the nasties in your gear and would probably give you peace of mind.

The other thing to do (whether or not you get your gear cleaned) is

(a) wear a clean layer underneath everything, so your skin doesn't actually touch your gear. I wear underarmour tights and a long-sleeve shirt, plus a pair of thin gloves (they're some sort of breathable liner glove; I've seen another goalie use these scratchy plastic bath gloves from the drug store, and drug stores often sell thin white cotton gloves as well). I do this to keep my gear cleaner, but it can keep your skin cleaner as well.

(b) shower *right* after playing, if you don't already, and do that soap and water thing.

you might also want to think about bringing some extra towels/extra under-layers so you can keep switching to fresh ones when you have a chance, rather than sitting in your own stew, or using a towel that's been sitting in your damp hockey bag all day.

anyway, good luck and have lots of fun if you do choose to play.

Man, I wish I had enough time to get my gear cleaned. Poison ivy or not, it's getting pretty stank.

Yeah im going to end up playing tomorrow so, I'm going to wrap around my arms with seran wrap, and wearing long sleeves. I too wear the under armor pants so that will be good on my legs.

Anyways, I will let you know how everything turns out, and thanks for doing all that research. You've def been very helpful.