Quote:
Originally Posted by Rain Man
Try this as an experiment. I'm curious.
http://www.poison-ivy.org/html/stories.htm
At the first sign of irritation caused by poison ivy/oak, wash the area with soap and water if possible, but in any case, spray (never use a stick or roll-on) the area with an antiperspirant containing aluminum chlorhydrate. Arrid Extra Dry was a favorite, but any kind that is not too sticky will work. Simple deodorants won't work; it must be an antiperspirant! This material reacts with the urushiol, the principal irritant in poison ivy/oak, and deactivates it. It will even provide relief and start healing when oozing blisters are present. |
It would work. But I question how much.
The ingredient in poison ivy that makes you react is the oil in the plant. The itch comes from your body reacting(overreacting) to the oil. So treating poison ivy involves 2 parts. Removing the poison ivy oil from the skin, and stopping your body's immune system from reacting to the oil(making you itch). Antiperspirant can help with that because it acts to dry the skin, and hopefully the oil. But I wouldn't say it "Deactivates" it.