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Questions and Answers: 2022

Question: I just have a question about Urishol. I see too many conflicting things online bout it. Does the plant have …

• Question

  I just have a question about Urishol. I see too many conflicting things online bout it. Does the plant have to be damaged to release the oil? If you do get it on you what is the best way to get it off everything? I use 91 percent alcohol and spray it on items I believe to have gotten in the oil even if I haven't touched it or know its there. . Are there any items out there that can be sprayed on that you know to work well. I need your help I am terrified to even go in the woods at this point.

  Answer

  Dear themooseinacanoe, good afternoon. The answer is: it really depends on your sensitivity to urishiol. For example, I can walk among the species of poison-ivy and even touch them lightly without issue. Others, that is too much contact and they develop dermatitis. No, you don't have to damage the plant if you are very sensitive. Soap works well, but you must remember that a large proporton of the urishiol has already absorbed within ten minutes. So, lawsone containing plants like touch-me-not (genus Impatiens) works well because the lawsone binds to the same receptor areas as urishiol but is both more aggressive and non-allergenic. The sap from Impatiens can be applied hours later and drastically reduce or even block any allergic reaction. Best wishes.