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

[crazybikinchic]

CVS has individually wrapped bars that my husband used this summer with recurring poison ivy. As far as the clothes he wore and the sheets we had on the bed, after washing it all and him rewearing them, the poison ivy came back. We got rid of it all.

[withm]

The pharmacy had several concoctions to treat PI but none of the packages suggested how to wash the offending objects that gave you the rash in the first place. Once I even got it from my cat (I don't have pets anymore for that reason .. well and also that I'm pretty allergic to them). They did not have Zanfel, but did have Tecnu, and a couple of $30 items.... This stuff ain't cheap.

What I think I need to wash/sanitize
-bike
-helmet, pads & straps
-glasses case (I store this inside my helmet with the sunglass "clip ons" and the mirror that attaches to glasses)
-stiff canvas tote bag LL Bean style that I carry it all in

Do you think washing with Top Job, and maybe a little clorox mixed in will kill the poison ivy oils? Scrub the hard goods with a brush and rubber gloves. I'll have to read the label to see if Top Job can mix with clorox.

The clothes should be easy - gloves, buff, & clothes (shorts, jersey, arm & leg warmers) just toss it all in washer with HOT water. No clorox there though... Maybe clorox for colors I have that. The buff probably prevented me from getting it all over my head and neck. Thank you AV people.

I proclaim Wed to be cleaning night.

Martha

[Steph_in_TX]

DH uses these wipes for cleaning, though he hasn't tried them on clothing. They fit nicely in his saddle bag, too.

http://www.ivyblock.com/ivycleanse.php

We get them at REI.

[susiej]

When I got poison ivy while gardening, I had to clean the trimmers I was using, and found an article on the US Food and Drug Administration's site that recommended wiping down with alcohol:

http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/796_ivy.html

You may want do do an alcohol soak and then wash with soap and water.

Good luck!

[withm]

Wow - some great info here. Thanks

[Duck on Wheels]

Is poison oak pretty much the same as poison ivy in terms of washing the resins/oils off? We used to use plain 'ol Ivory Soap. "It floats". It also scrubs off poison oak oils pretty well. And it doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

[TrekJeni]

I usually get poison ivy a couple of times a year. Hiking, hunting, riding ANYTHING out in the woods. i started to carry a small bottle of bleach in the car and a washcloth to wipe down with after my activities. Haven't had it since IF I remeber to bring the bleach!
Bleach (onced opened) looses its potency real quick. Buy the smallest bottle to suit your needs. (I do R&D for a major detergent company )
Jeni