Gardening Gifts FAQ:
Can urushiol from poison ivy be spread from a tennis ball or a pair of gardening gloves to the skin if those objects can into contact with poison ivy or another plant that contains urushiol?
Can urushiol from poison ivy be spread from a tennis ball or a pair of gardening gloves to the skin if those objects can into contact with poison ivy or another plant that contains urushiol?
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Because it’s an oil, it sticks to just about everything it touches. That’s why you need to wash everything you were wearing when you got infected in the hottest water possible.
Yes, even pets that roll in poison ivy can get some oil on their fur. Soap or detergent and water removes it, though (but use rubber gloves when washing stuff if you’re particularly allergic to urushiol).
Yes! Wash them as SOON as possible. If you end up getting it, I suggest getting the shot.
I just recovered from my first case of it. I went to the doctor and got the shot, and it cleared up totally within 2 days (versus 14 days). My brother gets it badly and says the shot works wonders.