Poison Ivy! How to clean a helmet?

[withm]

OK I have poison ivy on my face and I think I got it from my helmet straps. I think the straps must have grazed a vine when I hung the helmet on the bike for minute on Sunday. And I mean a minute - the place was closed so I put it right back on and continued my ride.

So.... how to wash the straps sufficiently without reinfecting myself.. and I just realized, everything I throw inside the helmet, and the bag I throw the helmet in also has to get sanitized somehow. Ack!

I am so sensitive to the stuff that I'm even considering throwing it all out.

Guess I'm cleaning the bike tonight too.

[Wahine]

The resin from poison oak contains the toxin and is not broken down by normal soaps. I know there are soaps (bar type) out there that will break down the resin and allow you to wash it off. We buy them at a health/whole foods place. I would recommend going to or calling one of these places and asking them. There should be a liquid form available I would think that you could use.

Meanwhile I'm going to do a search to see if I can find the name of the stuff we use.

ETA: Here's the stuff I use http://theoutdoorworld.com/products2.cfm?id=48404

[silver]

I think that I saw something at the drugstore (CVS) that could be used to wash with. Maybe Wahine will find the name.

[makbike]

Make a quick trip to Wal-mart or a CVS. Visit the first-aide section and purchase a tube of Zanfel. Warning, it is expensive but this stuff really works. After the first treatment you should notice a huge improvement. I would also think you could use the Zanfel to clean the straps on your helment as well. I'm very, very, very, very sensitive to posion ivy and this stuff is the only OTC stuff I have found that works and works quickly. The Zanfel actually works as well as a six day course of oral steriods and is much safer.

I don't own stock in the company but I do swear by it.

[jobob]

Walgreens sells a generic equivalent to Zanfel with the same active ingredient, but only about $20 (only, hah!) for a tube instead of $40. It's called "Poison Ivy Wash".

Other drugstore chains might also carry their own generic version.

[Tuckervill]

I use Tecnu, which is basically diluted zinc oxide, specifically for poison ivy, and it doesn't cost near $10 a bottle. I usually get it free with Caladryl or something like that.

Karen