Every year in September my husband takes his trip to the woods to see what he can find.  He is looking for deer tracks, setting up his cameras on trees and who knows what else prior to the big hunt.  Year after year I get the phone call.  I have poison ivy or I have poison oak.  This year was no different.  Phone rang at 10:00 a.m. Sunday morning and it is the dreaded call.  You need to go to Walgreens or CVS and find something for poison oak.  It is all over my neck. 

My first thoughts in order:

• Now I have to look on the internet for the best remedy.  
• I really didn’t want to go anywhere today.  Now I have to run to the store.
• He better not get home before me and put his clothes in the wash with mine.
• Now I will have to change the sheets everyday for the next 2 weeks.
• He better not take a shower and use the soap I use.
• Where the heck else is it going to spread to  …  as I start scratching my arm. 

So I go to Walgreens and our friendly pharmacist was so eager to show me the best remedy.   IVY-DRY Extra Strength Super Itch Relief Spray.  I have never tried that one so I got it.  I get home and Marks neck is awful.  Huge bumps everywhere … my list of thoughts comes rushing back.  So I spray his neck and he actually felt a relief.  

I go into the house and he has laundry going.  I run down to check that he only put his clothes in the wash.  Thankfully he did.  But as I look down, there is the empty laundry basket with the garbage bag that he had his dirty clothes in.  His clothes that had poison oak all over them.  Now I have to disinfect the basket and keep an eye on everything he touches for the next 2 weeks. 

So I thought I would provide my tips for The Poison Oak Remedy:

1. Keep a bottle of the IVY-DRY Extra Strength Super Itch Relief Spray on hand.  It controls the itch and helps to dry it out.  It also helps with other rashes and bites.
2. You can also try an over the counter allergy relief such as benadryl.  This will also help with itching.  Mark did the spray and took benadryl.
3. If your husband is going into the woods, immediately tell him to shower.  It will wash the oils off that causes poison oak. 
4. Keep husband away from laundry and have him hose his clothes down outside prior to washing.
5. Disinfect everything he comes in contact with.  Bedding, clothes and yourself.

And finally, if they have a serious outbreak call your doctor.  They may need something stronger.