The most effective way to prevent poisoning from the plants is to avoid
contact with them. If it is necessary to work among them, some measure
of prevention can be gained by wearing protective clothing, but it is
necessary to remember that the active poisonous principle can easily be
transferred. Some protection also may be obtained in advance by the use
of protective creams or lotions. They prevent the poison from touching
the skin, or make the active principle easily removed, or neutralize it
to a certain degree.
Various formulas containing ferric chloride and glycerin have been used
more or less effectively as a preventive measure, although there may
be some danger of pigmentation of the skin from the ferric chloride. A
common formula is ferric chloride, 5 parts; glycerin, 25 parts; alcohol,
25 parts; water. 50 parts.
A lotion of this formula applied to the exposed skin prior to contact
with poisonous plants gives effective protection for many people. It
is especially effective if followed by thorough washing with soap and
water. Such washing, even if no protective lotion has been used, is often
effective in preventing poisoning. Proper precaution should be taken
by repeated lathering with a strong alkali soap, followed by thorough
rinsing and repeating the process several times. The water should be
frequently changed, and a shower or flowing water bath is preferable. The
soap probably only emulsifies the active principle, and thorough rinsing
is necessary to avoid spreading the poison to other parts of the body.
The United States Public Health Service reports successful chemical
protection against ivy poisoning by use of an oxidizing agent--sodium
perborate prepared and used fresh as an ointment. Following is a formula
given for the ointment: Cetyl alcohol, 35.1 percent; stearyl alcohol,
5.3; ceresin, 3.5; castor oil. 20.8; mineral oil, 21.9; Duponol WA pure,
1.7; sodium perborate. 10.0; and boric acid, 1.7 percent.
A more recent less oily formula recommended for both mechanical and
chemical protection is given as follows: Shellac, 13 parts; isopropanol,
31; linseed oil, 4; titanium oxide, 12; sodium perborate, 13; talcum, 20;
and carbitol, 3 parts.
Sometimes cottonseed oil, olive oil, or petrolatum is applied as a
protective ointment when contamination is anticipated. Later the oil must
be completely removed by repeated washing.
Clothing, wearing apparel, and tools that have been contaminated are
often difficult to handle without further danger of poisoning. Some
who are more or less immune to poisoning often contaminate others by
carelessness. Contamination on automobile door handles or on a steering
wheel after a trip to the woods often causes prolonged cases of poisoning
of persons who have not been near the plants. One of the most effective
ways for decontaminating articles is by thorough washing through several
changes of strong soap and water. Contaminated clothing should not be
worn again until thoroughly washed. It should not be washed with other
clothes, and care should be taken to rinse thoroughly any implements used
in washing.
Dogs and cats can be decontaminated in the same manner; precaution should
be taken, however, to avoid being poisoned in doing the washing. It is
likely that most "dry cleaning" processes will remove any contaminant;
but there is always danger that clothing sent to commercial cleaners may
cause poisoning to unsuspecting employees.
Certain prophylactic inoculations for the prevention of ivy poisoning
have been developed and used with limited success; such treatment,
however, should be administered by a physician only. The theory that
eating a few leaves of these poisonous plants will confer immunity is
without foundation; it should not be attempted even as an experiment,
because very serious poisoning is likely to result.