texascavers Digest 23 Oct 2013 17:53:32 -0000 Issue 1871
Topics (messages 22952 through 22957):
Re: Poison-ivy
22952 by: Don Arburn
22956 by: Louise Power
22957 by: Phil Winkler
Poison ivy at Paradise Canyon
22953 by: Diana Tomchick
Re: Poison-ivy and Karst
22954 by: Louise Power
22955 by: Louise Power
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--- Begin Message ---
When affected, I have found -tremendous- relief of the lesions by simply
spraying them with a jet of very hot water. The sensation is much more
gratifying than scratching but also completely stops the itching, no meds
needed after. Hot as I could stand, ONLY on the wound. Strange but true.
Sent cellularly.
-Don
> On Oct 23, 2013, at 11:06 AM, Mary Thiesse <wpipistre...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> I have to say that my instincts tell me that solvents seem like a bad idea in
> this case. Working in the lab if there was any kind of chemical splatter or
> spill it was always soap and water to wash off the area. Solvents can enable
> the offender (whatever it is) to penetrate the skin. So using these products
> seems contrary to what I've learned over the years. Personally I think I'll
> stick with soap (Dawn) and water for removal of the oils and then treat with
> topical steroids if needed.
>
> Mary TZ
>
> From: Tom Rogers <decksunlimi...@hotmail.com>
> To: caverarch <cavera...@aol.com>; Texascavers@texascavers.com
> Sent: Tuesday, October 22, 2013 5:43 PM
> Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Poison-ivy
>
> I have had it many times. I have now from TCR. The best stuff to use is
> mineral spirits. The main ingredient in tecnu. Any alcohol based liquid will
> work. Rub it on immediately. Rinse with water after about ten minutes. There
> will still be a rash but it will stop it from spreading. Rub down tools with
> alcohol also to remove poison ivy oil. I suspect my repeated exposures has
> built immunity.
> Tom
>
> --- Original Message ---
>
> From: "caverarch" <cavera...@aol.com>
> Sent: October 22, 2013 6:12 PM
> To: Texascavers@texascavers.com
> Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Poison-ivy
>
> I am a bit more sensitive to the vine than I was in my youth. I'm sure this
> is the result of repeated exposure from lots of field work in the eastern
> woodlands and blissfully disregarding contact back in those days.
>
> Roger G. Moore
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: George Veni <gv...@nckri.org>
> To: Texas Cavers <Texascavers@texascavers.com>
> Sent: Tue, Oct 22, 2013 5:40 pm
> Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Poison-ivy
>
> Poison ivy never bothered me for many years, but I learned that immunity can
> sometimes be lost by repeated exposure. So my advice to those who are
> currently immune is to avoid it as much as possible.
>
> George
>
>
> Sent from my mobile phone
>
> ********************
>
> George Veni, Ph.D.
> Executive Director
> National Cave and Karst Research Institute
> 400-1 Cascades Avenue
> Carlsbad, New Mexico 88220-6215
> USA
> Office: 575-887-5517
> Mobile: 210-863-5919
> Fax: 575-887-5523
> gv...@nckri.org
> www.nckri.org
>
>
>
>
> -------- Original message --------
> From: Sheryl Rieck <sheryl.ri...@gmail.com>
> Date: 2013/10/22 16:31 (GMT-07:00)
> To: Mark Minton <mmin...@caver.net>
> Cc: TexasCavers <texascavers@texascavers.com>
> Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Poison-ivy
>
>
> Good things to know. Since I am not allergic, I haven't been aware of the
> other treatments.
>
> Sheryl
>
> Sheryl Rieck, Senior Oracle Financials Consultant
> True SEM Antics, Inc.
> 832-632-2387 Home
> 361-205-1458 Cell
>
>
> On Tue, Oct 22, 2013 at 5:27 PM, Mark Minton <mmin...@caver.net> wrote:
> A related product is Tecnu
> <http://www.teclabsinc.com/products/poison-oak-ivy/tecnu>, also commonly
> available at pharmacies. These products wash away the oily residue that
> causes the rash . They work best when used as soon as possible after
> exposure, but can help even the next day or two. Calamine (pink stuff), on
> the other hand, is simply a topical anesthetic and antiseptic. It reduces
> itching, but doesn't really cure the problem (treats the symptoms, not the
> disease). (I'm also not affected by poison ivy, but my partner Yvonne is
> extremely sensitive.)
>
> Mark
>
>
> At 06:06 PM 10/22/2013, Charles Goldsmith wrote:
> I'm very allergic to it, I swear I can just look at a plant and it jump on
> me, always have been. The best stuff I've ever found to get rid of it is
> http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/walgreens-poison-ivy-wash/ID=prod6113607-product
>
>
> Of course that's a store brand, there are other products that are named
> brand. I've used the walgreen's brand with very good results. it's
> expensive, but worth every cent.
>
> Pink stuff didn't seem to work very well, my mom always put it on me. There
> was also some form of tablet she would buy from the local pharmacist, drop it
> into a pint of water and spread the resulting concoction on me, but I swore
> it was just water, never seemed to help and I don't know the name either.
>
> If you can, try the above link
>
> On Tue, Oct 22, 2013 at 4:47 PM, David <dlocklea...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Anybody know the best proven treatment for a poison-ivy rash from personal
> experience?
>
> Anybody have a good theory about how to boost immunity ?
>
> 4 things that I feel make it worse are scratching, sunlight, heat or hot
> water, and drying off with bath towels, all of which seem unavoidable.
>
> Is it true that some ethnic groups are not allergic, and that white-skinned
> people are the most allergic ?
>
> David Locklear
>
> Please reply to mmin...@caver.net
> Permanent email address is mmin...@illinoisalumni.org
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> Visit our website: http://texascavers.com
> To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com
> For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
>
>
>
>
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Here is what the Tech-Nu label says. I'm not a chemist, so which one of these
ingredients is a solvent?
Active ingredient:
Grindelia robusta 3X - Purpose:anti-itch
Inactive ingredients:
alcohol 0.4%, aminomethyl propanol, benzethonium chloride, carbomer, fragrance,
polyethylene beads, polyoxyethylene (4) lauryl ether, polysorbate 20, purified
water, SD alcohol 40B 6.4%
Uses:
Temporarily relieves burning, itching and pain due to poison ivy, oak and sumac.
Removes poison ivy, oak and sumac oil (urushiol) from skin.
Warnings:
Do not use on severe, draining rashes.
Do not use if pregnant or nursing, ask a health professional before use.
Keep out of reach of children
If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.
Keep out of eyes.
If condition worsens, or if symptoms persist more than 7 days or clear up and
occur again with a few days, stop use and consult a physician.
Do not use on children under 2 years of age, consult a physician.
Directions:
To treat a rash: (adults and children 2 years and older)
Squeeze a desired amount of product into hand and mix with equal amount of
water.
Apply to affected skin and surrounding areas and gently rub for 15 seconds;
avoid breaking the skin.
Rinse with cool running water and towel dry gently.
Repeat as needed.
To remove urushiol oil: (adults and children 2 years and older)
Squeeze a desired amount of product into hand and mix with equal amount of
water.
Apply to exposed areas and gently rub for 15 seconds; if hypersensitive, wash
entire body with Tecnu Extreme.
Rinse with cool running water and towel dry.
Other information:
Store at 59 to 89°F (15 to 30°C)
From: donarb...@mac.com
Date: Wed, 23 Oct 2013 11:13:49 -0500
To: texascavers@texascavers.com
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Poison-ivy
When affected, I have found -tremendous- relief of the lesions by simply
spraying them with a jet of very hot water. The sensation is much more
gratifying than scratching but also completely stops the itching, no meds
needed after. Hot as I could stand, ONLY on the wound. Strange but true.
Sent cellularly.
-Don
On Oct 23, 2013, at 11:06 AM, Mary Thiesse <wpipistre...@yahoo.com> wrote:
I have to say that my instincts tell me that solvents seem like a bad idea in
this case. Working in the lab if there was any kind of chemical splatter or
spill it was always soap and water to wash off the area. Solvents can enable
the offender (whatever it is) to penetrate the skin. So using these products
seems contrary to what I've learned over the years. Personally I think I'll
stick with soap (Dawn) and water for removal of the oils and then treat with
topical steroids if needed.
Mary TZ
From: Tom Rogers <decksunlimi...@hotmail.com>
To: caverarch <cavera...@aol.com>; Texascavers@texascavers.com
Sent: Tuesday, October 22, 2013 5:43 PM
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Poison-ivy
I have had it many times. I have now from TCR. The best stuff to use is mineral
spirits. The main ingredient in tecnu. Any alcohol based liquid will work. Rub
it on immediately. Rinse with water after about ten minutes. There will still
be a rash but it will stop it from spreading. Rub down tools with alcohol also
to remove poison ivy oil. I suspect my repeated exposures has built immunity.
Tom
--- Original Message ---
From: "caverarch" <cavera...@aol.com>
Sent: October 22, 2013 6:12 PM
To: Texascavers@texascavers.com
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Poison-ivy
I am a bit more sensitive to the vine than I was in my youth. I'm sure this is
the result of repeated exposure from lots of field work in the eastern
woodlands and blissfully disregarding contact back in those days.
Roger G. Moore
-----Original Message-----
From: George Veni <gv...@nckri.org>
To: Texas Cavers <Texascavers@texascavers.com>
Sent: Tue, Oct 22, 2013 5:40 pm
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Poison-ivy
Poison ivy never bothered me for many years, but I learned that immunity can
sometimes be lost by repeated exposure. So my advice to those who are currently
immune is to avoid it as much as possible.
George
Sent from my mobile phone
********************
George Veni, Ph.D.
Executive Director
National Cave and Karst Research Institute
400-1 Cascades Avenue
Carlsbad, New Mexico 88220-6215
USA
Office: 575-887-5517
Mobile: 210-863-5919
Fax: 575-887-5523
gv...@nckri.org
www.nckri.org
-------- Original message --------
From: Sheryl Rieck <sheryl.ri...@gmail.com>
Date: 2013/10/22 16:31 (GMT-07:00)
To: Mark Minton <mmin...@caver.net>
Cc: TexasCavers <texascavers@texascavers.com>
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Poison-ivy
Good things to know. Since I am not allergic, I haven't been aware of the other
treatments.
Sheryl
Sheryl Rieck, Senior Oracle Financials Consultant
True SEM Antics, Inc.
832-632-2387 Home
361-205-1458 Cell
On Tue, Oct 22, 2013 at 5:27 PM, Mark Minton <mmin...@caver.net> wrote:
A related product is Tecnu
<http://www.teclabsinc.com/products/poison-oak-ivy/tecnu>, also commonly
available at pharmacies. These products wash away the oily residue that causes
the rash . They work best when used as soon as possible after exposure, but
can help even the next day or two. Calamine (pink stuff), on the other hand,
is simply a topical anesthetic and antiseptic. It reduces itching, but doesn't
really cure the problem (treats the symptoms, not the disease). (I'm also not
affected by poison ivy, but my partner Yvonne is extremely sensitive.)
Mark
At 06:06 PM 10/22/2013, Charles Goldsmith wrote:
I'm very allergic to it, I swear I can just look at a plant and it jump on me,
always have been. The best stuff I've ever found to get rid of it is
http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/walgreens-poison-ivy-wash/ID=prod6113607-product
Of course that's a store brand, there are other products that are named brand.
I've used the walgreen's brand with very good results. it's expensive, but
worth every cent.
Pink stuff didn't seem to work very well, my mom always put it on me. There
was also some form of tablet she would buy from the local pharmacist, drop it
into a pint of water and spread the resulting concoction on me, but I swore it
was just water, never seemed to help and I don't know the name either.
If you can, try the above link
On Tue, Oct 22, 2013 at 4:47 PM, David <dlocklea...@gmail.com> wrote:
Anybody know the best proven treatment for a poison-ivy rash from personal
experience?
Anybody have a good theory about how to boost immunity ?
4 things that I feel make it worse are scratching, sunlight, heat or hot water,
and drying off with bath towels, all of which seem unavoidable.
Is it true that some ethnic groups are not allergic, and that white-skinned
people are the most allergic ?
David Locklear
Please reply to mmin...@caver.net
Permanent email address is mmin...@illinoisalumni.org
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Visit our website: http://texascavers.com
To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com
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--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
All the inactive ingredients can be considered solvents if they are liquids.
At 10/23/2013 10:51 AM -0700, Louise Power wrote:
Here is what the Tech-Nu label says. I'm not a
chemist, so which one of these ingredients is a solvent?
Active ingredient:
Grindelia robusta 3X - Purpose:anti-itch
Inactive ingredients:
alcohol 0.4%, aminomethyl propanol, benzethonium
chloride, carbomer, fragrance, polyethylene
beads, polyoxyethylene (4) lauryl ether,
polysorbate 20, purified water, SD alcohol 40B 6.4%
Uses:
* Temporarily relieves burning, itching and
pain due to poison ivy, oak and sumac.
* Removes poison ivy, oak and sumac oil (urushiol) from skin.
Warnings:
* Do not use on severe, draining rashes.
* Do not use if pregnant or nursing, ask a
health professional before use.
* Keep out of reach of children
* If swallowed, get medical help or contact
a Poison Control Center right away.
* Keep out of eyes.
* If condition worsens, or if symptoms
persist more than 7 days or clear up and occur
again with a few days, stop use and consult a physician.
* Do not use on children under 2 years of age, consult a physician.
Directions:
To treat a rash: (adults and children 2 years and older)
* Squeeze a desired amount of product into
hand and mix with equal amount of water.
* Apply to affected skin and surrounding
areas and gently rub for 15 seconds; avoid breaking the skin.
* Rinse with cool running water and towel dry gently.
* Repeat as needed.
To remove urushiol oil: (adults and children 2 years and older)
* Squeeze a desired amount of product into
hand and mix with equal amount of water.
* Apply to exposed areas and gently rub for
15 seconds; if hypersensitive, wash entire body with Tecnu Extreme.
* Rinse with cool running water and towel dry.
Other information:
Store at 59 to 89°F (15 to 30°C)
----------
From: donarb...@mac.com
Date: Wed, 23 Oct 2013 11:13:49 -0500
To: texascavers@texascavers.com
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Poison-ivy
When affected, I have found -tremendous- relief
of the lesions by simply spraying them with a
jet of very hot water. The sensation is much
more gratifying than scratching but also
completely stops the itching, no meds needed
after. Hot as I could stand, ONLY on the wound. Strange but true.
Sent cellularly.
-Don
On Oct 23, 2013, at 11:06 AM, Mary Thiesse
<<mailto:wpipistre...@yahoo.com>wpipistre...@yahoo.com> wrote:
I have to say that my instincts tell me that
solvents seem like a bad idea in this case.
Working in the lab if there was any kind of
chemical splatter or spill it was always soap
and water to wash off the area. Solvents can
enable the offender (whatever it is) to
penetrate the skin. So using these products
seems contrary to what I've learned over the
years. Personally I think I'll stick with soap
(Dawn) and water for removal of the oils and
then treat with topical steroids if needed.
Mary TZ
From: Tom Rogers
<<mailto:decksunlimi...@hotmail.com>decksunlimi...@hotmail.com>
To: caverarch
<<mailto:cavera...@aol.com>cavera...@aol.com>;
<mailto:Texascavers@texascavers.com>Texascavers@texascavers.com
Sent: Tuesday, October 22, 2013 5:43 PM
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Poison-ivy
I have had it many times. I have now from TCR.
The best stuff to use is mineral spirits. The
main ingredient in tecnu. Any alcohol based
liquid will work. Rub it on immediately. Rinse
with water after about ten minutes. There will
still be a rash but it will stop it from
spreading. Rub down tools with alcohol also to
remove poison ivy oil. I suspect my repeated exposures has built immunity.
Tom
--- Original Message ---
From: "caverarch" <<mailto:cavera...@aol.com>cavera...@aol.com>
Sent: October 22, 2013 6:12 PM
To: <mailto:Texascavers@texascavers.com>Texascavers@texascavers.com
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Poison-ivy
I am a bit more sensitive to the vine than I was
in my youth. I'm sure this is the result of
repeated exposure from lots of field work in the
eastern woodlands and blissfully disregarding contact back in those days.
Roger G. Moore
-----Original Message-----
From: George Veni <<mailto:gv...@nckri.org>gv...@nckri.org>
To: Texas Cavers
<<mailto:Texascavers@texascavers.com>Texascavers@texascavers.com>
Sent: Tue, Oct 22, 2013 5:40 pm
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Poison-ivy
Poison ivy never bothered me for many years, but
I learned that immunity can sometimes be lost by
repeated exposure. So my advice to those who are
currently immune is to avoid it as much as possible.
George
Sent from my mobile phone
********************
George Veni, Ph.D.
Executive Director
National Cave and Karst Research Institute
400-1 Cascades Avenue
Carlsbad, New Mexico 88220-6215
USA
Office: 575-887-5517
Mobile: 210-863-5919
Fax: 575-887-5523
<mailto:gv...@nckri.org>gv...@nckri.org
www.nckri.org
-------- Original message --------
From: Sheryl Rieck <<mailto:sheryl.ri...@gmail.com>sheryl.ri...@gmail.com>
Date: 2013/10/22 16:31 (GMT-07:00)
To: Mark Minton <<mailto:mmin...@caver.net>mmin...@caver.net>
Cc: TexasCavers
<<mailto:texascavers@texascavers.com>texascavers@texascavers.com>
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Poison-ivy
Good things to know. Since I am not allergic, I
haven't been aware of the other treatments.
Sheryl
Sheryl Rieck, Senior Oracle Financials Consultant
True SEM Antics, Inc.
832-632-2387 Home
361-205-1458 Cell
On Tue, Oct 22, 2013 at 5:27 PM, Mark Minton
<<mailto:mmin...@caver.net>mmin...@caver.net> wrote:
A related product is Tecnu
<<http://www.teclabsinc.com/products/poison-oak-ivy/tecnu>http://www.teclabsinc.com/products/poison-oak-ivy/tecnu>,
also commonly available at pharmacies. These
products wash away the oily residue that causes
the rash . They work best when used as soon as
possible after exposure, but can help even the
next day or two. Calamine (pink stuff), on the
other hand, is simply a topical anesthetic and
antiseptic. It reduces itching, but doesn't
really cure the problem (treats the symptoms,
not the disease). (I'm also not affected by
poison ivy, but my partner Yvonne is extremely sensitive.)
Mark
At 06:06 PM 10/22/2013, Charles Goldsmith wrote:
I'm very allergic to it, I swear I can just look
at a plant and it jump on me, always have
been. The best stuff I've ever found to get rid
of it is
<http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/walgreens-poison-ivy-wash/ID=prod6113607-product>http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/walgreens-poison-ivy-wash/ID=prod6113607-product
Of course that's a store brand, there are other
products that are named brand. I've used the
walgreen's brand with very good results. it's expensive, but worth every cent.
Pink stuff didn't seem to work very well, my mom
always put it on me. There was also some form
of tablet she would buy from the local
pharmacist, drop it into a pint of water and
spread the resulting concoction on me, but I
swore it was just water, never seemed to help and I don't know the name either.
If you can, try the above link
On Tue, Oct 22, 2013 at 4:47 PM, David
<<mailto:dlocklea...@gmail.com>dlocklea...@gmail.com> wrote:
Anybody know the best proven treatment for a
poison-ivy rash from personal experience?
Anybody have a good theory about how to boost immunity ?
4 things that I feel make it worse are
scratching, sunlight, heat or hot water, and
drying off with bath towels, all of which seem unavoidable.
Is it true that some ethnic groups are not
allergic, and that white-skinned people are the most allergic ?
David Locklear
Please reply to <mailto:mmin...@caver.net>mmin...@caver.net
Permanent email address is
<mailto:mmin...@illinoisalumni.org>mmin...@illinoisalumni.org
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For additional commands, e-mail:
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No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - <http://www.avg.com>www.avg.com
Version: 2012.0.2242 / Virus Database: 3222/6274 - Release Date: 10/23/13
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
It seems to me that the people who came down with cases of poison ivy
dermatitis were people who cut and gathered firewood for the hot tub, sauna and
campfires. Good thing that it seems there was no poison ivy that got burned in
the campfires, otherwise we'd have people in worse shape from breathing the
fumes. Thanks to y'all that worked on getting firewood, I'm terribly sensitive
to poison ivy and I've had my dose for this summer from a caving trip in TAG
over Labor Day.
BTW, people who are sensitive to urushiol probably should be happy that they
have an active T-cell-mediated immune response. Though it's a pain the behind
to deal with the symptoms, at least you know that your immune system is working
properly. I wonder if my symptoms will lessen by the time I'm in my 80's?
Diana
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Diana R. Tomchick
Professor
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Department of Biophysics
5323 Harry Hines Blvd.
Rm. ND10.214A
Dallas, TX 75390-8816, U.S.A.
Email: diana.tomch...@utsouthwestern.edu
214-645-6383 (phone)
214-645-6353 (fax)
________________________________
UT Southwestern Medical Center
The future of medicine, today.
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Cave related: When my sister and her now ex were living in Tennessee, they went
caving one weekend. The entrance was a crawl-in slit, but what Jodie didn't
realize was that the lush veg at the entrance was p-i. She got it all down her
front including neck, chest, belly and legs. I think she may have burned her
clothes when she got home. She used something topical for the itch and
blisters, but got a cortisone shot from her doc. The blisters finally went
away. Out West, we have poison oak (same results) and we carry Tech-Nu in our
warehouse for people to wash up with if they've been exposed. The biggest
problem is when we get big wildland fires that burn through poison oak areas;
you can't wash your lungs with Tech-Nu.
Date: Tue, 22 Oct 2013 23:15:06 +0000
From: dirt...@comcast.net
To: Texascavers@texascavers.com
Subject: [Texascavers] Poison-ivy and Karst
Poison-ivy and Karst
How cave related can you get?? (I'll do everything I can to get this site back
on track)
I grew up in New York and was terribly allergic to poison ivy as a youngster.
Like, someone burned some brush with the vines in the pile, a half-mile away.
Good Lord, was I ever in an awful itchy situation after the smoke passed over
me ------. Fortunately my lungs did not react.
When I started to do karst and geological things in upstate NY, I discovered
two things:
1. To see the bedrock I had to crawl on my belly like a snake up stream beds.
2. I could map the limestone without ever seeing it, just by mapping where the
lush poison ivy grew. (THAT is the Karst tie-in)
After I came West, I could more easily see Rocks and I gradually lost my
extreme reaction. But I learned what George cautioned: Immunity is lost by
repeated exposure.
Then I moved to Texas and discovered Poison Oak. It makes TREES going up the
cliffs with trunks as big around as Bob Oakley's thighs around springs in the
Big Bend. ESPECIALLY in what is now Big Bend Ranch State Park.
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
take a look at these pics:
http://img.webmd.com/dtmcms/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/media/medical/hw/hwkb17_017_18_19.jpg
Date: Tue, 22 Oct 2013 23:05:55 -0500
From: gi...@att.net
To: dirt...@comcast.net
CC: Texascavers@texascavers.com
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Poison-ivy and Karst
I've never had anybody successfully identify the difference between poison ivy
and poison oak for me. They look the same to my eyes.
--Ediger
On Tue, Oct 22, 2013 at 6:15 PM, <dirt...@comcast.net> wrote:
Poison-ivy and Karst
How cave related can you get?? (I'll do everything I can to get this site back
on track)
I grew up in New York and was terribly allergic to poison ivy as a youngster.
Like, someone burned some brush with the vines in the pile, a half-mile away.
Good Lord, was I ever in an awful itchy situation after the smoke passed over
me ------. Fortunately my lungs did not react.
When I started to do karst and geological things in upstate NY, I discovered
two things:
1. To see the bedrock I had to crawl on my belly like a snake up stream beds.
2. I could map the limestone without ever seeing it, just by mapping where the
lush poison ivy grew. (THAT is the Karst tie-in)
After I came West, I could more easily see Rocks and I gradually lost my
extreme reaction. But I learned what George cautioned: Immunity is lost by
repeated exposure.
Then I moved to Texas and discovered Poison Oak. It makes TREES going up the
cliffs with trunks as big around as Bob Oakley's thighs around springs in the
Big Bend. ESPECIALLY in what is now Big Bend Ranch State Park.
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