Tecnu Original Poison Oak & Ivy Outdoor Skin Cleanser, 12 Fl Oz, First Step in Poison Ivy Treatment, Removes Rash Causing Oils from Skin, Gear, Clothing, Tools and Removes Skunk Odor from Dog Fur

I live in Central California and our rural property is covered in poison oak. Due to having to clear land for wildfire season, I have no choice but to work in it. I am very sensitive to poison oak, but have worked now for 6 weekends with no symptoms, after having had some bad run-ins. Here is what I do:Before dressing: put something on my skin to help keep the oil from bonding in case it gets through. I actually use waterproof sunscreen, even on areas which will be under clothing, in case any oil gets through.Dress well: I wear ordinary sneakers, with two pairs of heavy socks. I wear two layers of pants: a pair of cotton warmups underneath some fatigue-type pants. A long-sleeve cotton shirt. For gloves, I bought the heavy rubber chemical-resistant-type (facilitates cleanup) and the oil cannot soak through.Timing: If you "know" you are exposing yourself to poison oak, do not do it for more than 2-3 hours, just in case any gets through.Clean-up: The FIRST thing you should do is have a can of mineral spirits (paint thinner) and a rag. As others have noted, the oil is like a lacquer that dries on your skin and won't wash off with soap and water. Start by soaking the rag and cleaning any tools you used. I used to use Tecnu to clean my tools, but I realize that's not necessary, the paint thinner works just fine. Now wipe your gloves without taking them off. Next, wipe down your shoes. Pull off your shoes, then gloves before you go into the house. Next, go straight into the laundry room and as you undress, everything needs to go straight in. I have found that using ordinary detergent and hot water cleans everything just fine. Mix lights and darks, who cares, these are just your work clothes, right?Get into the shower and use the regular Tecnu cleanser. I rub it on my hands, arms, legs, and face. Let it sit for a minute, then add more and rub again. Rinse with cool water. Then shower as normal with hot water, using soap and water. If you got the poison oak oil on you and didn't get it all off the hot water will open your pores and you'll start to feel the burn/itch of the poison oak. Here is where you use the "Extreme" Tecnu Scrub. Use it anywhere this irritation is starting to happen. It will scrub the oil off of your skin, and then the symptoms will be gone within an hour.I have had 100% success avoiding symptoms since I started doing the above. It is amazing. BTW, I also like the Tecnu Calagel, whether for rash (though I haven't needed it any more) or for insect bites or cuts since it forms a skin protectant layer.One Final Caution: When working in poison oak, you should always assume you have gotten it on you. Before you take a break to eat, drink, or use the bathroom, wipe down your rubber gloves with paint thinner, then pull your gloves off and wash your hands with Tecnu cleanser. Hope this helps, I am also going to post this under the Tecnu cleanser product.

This Tecnu has been a life saver for my granddaughter. All you do when the kids come back from running around in the woods covered with poison ivy is throw them in the shower, rub Tecnu on them wait a few minutes then rinse it off. Even if you’ve had it for a couple of days, do this. Within 24 hours the rash will stop itching and will dry up and go away. Just a tip also, if you come in contact with poison ivy and don’t have any Tecnu on hand, use some hand sanitizer, better to do this within the first hour of contact.

If you're outdoorsy, but allergic to poison ivy, keep this on hand! It gives me so much peace of mind to know I can do a Tecnu wash when I get home if I suspect I've come into contact. It definitely works as a preventitive within 8 hours. Also helps quite a bit if you break out. Wash with it right away and then once a day for a couple days. The rash will still be there, but it pretty much won't itch if you catch it early. Reportedly, this also works to remove skunk smell if you or your pet gets sprayed. I never use this to wash my clothes as any soap will remove the oils from clothing.

Great product to keep around. Have used it to wash off, after suspected contact with poison ivy. Seems to have worked well. Also used it to remove pine sap from hands and clothes.

I have used this product for many years works great don't need to use allot. I wish it had a different smell, like a lavender or mint

Works on pets, tools people. It is a great cleanser for the toxic oils & powder of Poison Ivy. It works great. I keep it around all year long.

My dogs get pine pitch in the delicate fur between the pads of their paws. It's nearly impossible to remove without tremendous discomfort. If I recall correctly, this was invented by US Forest Service as a sap remover, and inadvertently discovered it worked on poison oak urushiol, very effectively. Been using it for 40 years... I keep a bottle in my jeep, camper and house.

This stuff works really well. Scrub up with it anytime you might thing you tabled with poison ivy.. it really works..