Once upon a time, the only way to protect yourself from accidental contact with the toxic urishiol in poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac was to wear clothing that covered nearly every inch of skin, and then remove and wash it immediately upon returning home. That still works, but what a hassle, especially when it’s hot outside, or you can’t go home and launder your clothes right away. There is a better way.
Bentoquatam is an FDA approved over-the-counter compound that, when used properly, acts as a barrier to the sticky oils in poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac that cause irritation.
Containing the active ingredient bentonite, a type of clay, bentoquatam is marketed by the trade name Ivy Block. It is sold in a lotion form.
Using the Skin Barrier Ivy Block
Ivy Block physically blocks the skin from the toxic oil or resin called urishiol that the plants exude. It must be generously applied and left wet on the skin. As it air dries, it leaves a thin, visible film. Protection will last only about four hours, but if heavy sweating, swimming or rubbing can remove the film an reapplication will be necessary sooner.
The product is not recommended for use in children under six, and should not be used on a rash or after a rash emerges.
Bentoquatam, or Ivy Block, is only for use on skin. It can’t be used to protect anything else that may come in contact poison ivy. That means the sticky oil in these plants will cling to clothing, backpacks, tools and other items if they are exposed. Although you no longer need to cover up every inch of skin, you still need to remember to clean everything with an oil-busting detergent after a potential exposure to urishiol-producing plants. The sticky resin can remain active for years if not removed.
Prevention is the Best Medicine: Don’t Touch Toxic Plants
Of course, the best way to avoid the rash is to avoid the plant. Learn to identify these poisonous plants. All three of them have shiny leaves and tend to grow throughout the United States at elevations below 4,000 feet.
- Poison ivy comes in many varieties. It grows as a shrub or a woody vine with a reddish, hairy rope-like appearance. The leaves, which grow three to a stem can be serrated or smooth edged with red stems. In the spring, the plant is light green or yellow green. It is dark green in the summer and turns red in autumn. It forms yellow or green flowers and white berries.
- Poison oak also grows as a shrub or a vine, and is found in the Southeast and Western United States, Canada, and Mexico. The leaves of a poison oak plant are shaped like those of an oak tree, but they are smaller, very shiny, and grow in clusters of three. The berries are yellow.
- Poison sumac grows in the Eastern US and Southeastern Canada. It resembles non-poisonous sumac with seven to 13 smooth-edged leaves per stem. It’s a scrubby plant that loves boggy areas and can grow up to 15 feet tall. It looks much like non-poisonous smooth sumac with the exception that it produces creamy yellow berries which grow between the leaves and branches.
Related Article:
Prevent Poison Ivy, Oak and Sumac Rash After Contact
Reference:
Mayo Clinic. "Bentoquatam" (accessed October 12, 2010).
Kimbra Cutlip - Kimbra Cutlip is a feature writer whose work has appeared in numerous publications including the Washington Post, Environment magazine, ...
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