Nothing puts a stop to summer fun like a bad case of poison ivy.
Summer weather means outdoor adventures. It’s the prime time for walking, hiking, and just enjoying nature whenever possible. Unfortunately, it is also the prime time for exposure to poison ivy. For many of us, the rash associated with poison ivy just isn’t worth the risk.
If you don’t know what it feels like to have a reaction from this dreaded plant count yourself very lucky.
The old saying ‘when in three, let it be’ is sort of a mantra for people living in areas where poison ivy prevails. The rash is extremely itchy and most topical remedies don’t really alleviate the spread or the duration.
So what can be done about this highly annoying aspect of summer? One man thinks he found the answer.
Jim Brauker, Ph.D. breaks it all down for us in his video about completely avoiding a serious rash from poison ivy.
In the video, Jim is standing next to a very large crop of poison ivy. It is enough to make you start itching from the comfort of your computer.
“I’m not afraid of this poison ivy because I understand how poison ivy works. If you understand how poison ivy works then you never need to get a serious reaction again for the rest of your life” – Jim Brauker, Ph.D.
In the video, Jim explains that poison oak, sumac, and ivy all have one thing in common. These plants contain urushiol oil, which is what causes the reaction on the skin.
“Urishiol..that’s the nasty oil that will give you a rash.” – Brauker
“I learned how to prevent it without buying silly, expensive products with pictures with poison ivy on the container, you can too.” Brauker
Jim shares his expertise and knowledge in the video about how to deal with exposure to urushiol oil.
Jim compares urushiol to axel grease.
“It behaves pretty much like urushiol…it is a greasy, nearly invisible oil that can attack you without you ever going near the poison ivy plant. You don’t get a poison ivy reaction because you have the poison ivy on your skin, you get it because you didn’t effectively get it off your skin.” – Brauker
Jim tests three different soaps to wash off the axel grease.
Surprisingly the soaps all have similar results.
Through his extensive research and background in science, Jim shares the real key to removing urushiol oil…friction.
“Simply clean your skin within 2-8 hours of contact… many people get rashes even when they took a shower in time to remove it but they did not wash effectively. – Brauker
Jim advises a wash station if you are someone that works outdoors a lot.
Don’t forget the washcloth. Remember, Jim’s realization had to do with effectively wiping the oil off the skin. Soap alone will not always eliminate the oil.
Knowledge is power.
Jim says in the video that he has nothing to gain by sharing this information other than helping people live happy and healthy lives. We think that is pretty amazing.
Now watch the video below and be poison ivy-free this summer…and possibly forever!
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