[pct-l] Poison Oak/Ivy & Poodle-Dog Bush on the PCT

[Edward Anderson]

Hi Lindsey,

I notice that you grew up in Mendocino County, and are possibly from the coast - from which town? We might have mutual friends.  I lived on the coast for nearly 35 years, two miles north of Mendocino village. We bordered what is now the Point Cabrillo Nature Preserve. The next structure north of our house was the P. C. lighthouse - one-half mile north. We also had a ranch in Comptche.

Yes, we had plenty of poison oak on the coast. We also had it on our ranch in Comptche. Our dogs and horses wandered through it and I have sometimes observed the horses eating it. Of course, anyone allergic to it, could not avoid getting it, if not directly from the plant, then from the animals. I had had several severe cases beginning when I was a kid, growing up in L.A. County. I got a really bad case when I was in the Army, stationed at Fort Ord. Then, my wife and I would get it every year when we lived on the Mendocino coast. Those cases became less and less severe - but we still got it. Like yourself, we could identify it and knew to wash off with soap and water after exposure. But, we couldn't avoid daily contact with our animals. We had neighbors, the Shandel brothers, who also owned, and had grown up on, a ranch in Comptche. Their family had homesteaded there during the late 1800's. They raised cattle and did logging. The brothers were immune to
 poison oak. Norm Shandel marched in the Paul Bunion days parade every year dressed as, and playing the part of, Paul Bunyon, Norm was a big guy, standing at six-foot six.


One day I talked to my doctor about poison oak, I asked about the over-the-counter pills and drops that I had heard about and were then available to self immunize against poison oak. I couldn't find them at pharmacies on the coast.  Doctor Hal Robinson, a well respected, country doctor who lived in Mendocino, was also very aware of the possibilities of Holistic Medicine. He told me how to do the same thing as the pills, and immunize myself by carefully ingesting the leaves, starting with just one small leaf the size of a dime. (Pluck the leaf from the plant using tweezers).  The leaf must be placed (carefully, using the tweezers), in the middle of your tongue (on a pool of saliva) and then swallowed with two glasses of water. He told me not to chew so as not to allow it to mix with saliva. The first time I goofed and got a little on my lips, resulting in a very mild rash there. (You can get it on dry, exterior skin.)  After the first leaf, I was
 instructed to wait four days, and see it there was a reaction. If no reaction, swallow a slightly larger leaf (quarter size) and, again wait three or four days. If no reaction, continue, swallowing a little larger leaf each time, for about three weeks. At the end of that I was immune to poison oak. I repeated the program in the spring of the following year and have never had poison oak since. That was in the late 1980's, and was my personal experience de-sensitizing my body to P.O. by ingesting P.O. leaves. Using this approach, you don't get poison oak on your tongue, throat, stomach or in your intestines. (It is important that you wash your rectum with soap and water after making a bowel movement - Dr. R. cautioned me). You can, however, I have been told, get poison oak in your lungs if you inhale the smoke from the burning plants.  This can be lethal, and firefighters can be at risk.

For those PCT hikers who would like to know about an over-the-counter product to effectively remove the P.O. oil from your skin, check out Zanfel  at  www.zanfel.com.  This product is available from REI and from Walmart, etc..

Have a great hike.

MendoRider-Hiker



________________________________
 From: Lindsey Sommer <lgsommer at gmail.com>
To: pct-l <pct-l at backcountry.net> 
Sent: Wednesday, March 13, 2013 6:48 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Poison Oak/Ivy & Poodle-Dog Bush on the PCT
 
Oh boy, reminds me of growing up in Mendocino county on the north coast of
CA. My friends and I ALWAYS had PO because it grows everywhere up there. I
assume it's something to do with moist redwood forests that probably
provide an ideal home :)

Oddly I haven't had it since childhood and I think this is partially
related to the fact that I'm VERY good at identifying it. I'm also slightly
allergic, so being able to recognize it during different seasons is
important (though, this is rough when there aren't any leaves). I'm sure
there are going to be spots where it's unavoidable, but I suggest doing a
good review of identifying it throughout the west?

(This might be a myth that I've allowed myself to believe since childhood,
but doesn't PO look slightly different depending on what type/region? This
might be entirely untrue and if so I should probably look that up!).




On Wed, Mar 13, 2013 at 9:26
 PM, Ken Murray <kmurray at dr.com> wrote:

> Melissa,
>
> I'm a volunteer wilderness ranger and trail crew leader, mainly in the
> Sierra.... in fact, I'm going to spend a week working the PCT for the 7
> miles north of the Kennedy Meadows Campground in just over a week.
>
> One reason I like working in the Sierra is the LACK of Poison Oak (we have
> no Poison Ivy in the western states, only the east) up there above 4,000
> feet. There is a lot on the west side of the range, in the lower regions.
> the PCT pretty much doesn't go there. I saw my first poodle brush plant
> last year 5 miles north of Kennedy meadows (I removed it). That's in 50+
> years of backpacking up there.
>
> Poison oak also likes and prefers a lot of water. Very often, it is where
> there is a stream crossing where you
 will see it at lower elevations. I
> doubt if you'd encounter it in the desert, but semi-desert is prime
> territory.
>
> I have used all the prevention products for my winter activities on the
> westside, and they work to some degree, but are a hassle. If you wash with
> soap ASAP after a known exposure, you may prevent the outbreak.
>
> Long clothing is a good idea, but of course, you are getting the oil on
> your clothing, instead of your skin, and it is sitting there ready to get
> you.
>
> You CAN wear different clothing at different stages of your hike, and
> should think of doing so, just like some prefer different footwear.
>
> As for removing the oil, soap and water works well, also rubbing alcohol.
>
> Hope you feel well soon. The coast range is FILLED with PO!
>
> Ken Murray, MD
>
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-- 
Lindsey Sommer
MLIS Candidate 2014 -- University of California, Los Angeles
lgsommer at gmail.com
M: (808) 298-1116
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