July 2 - Poison Oak

AVAILABILITY
FLM-04 - ASSIGNED IRON COMPLEX Weaverville, CA
FLM-05 - ASSIGNED LIME COMPLEX Hayfork, CA
FLM-06 - UNAVAILABLE
FLM-07 - ASSIGNED YUBA RIVER COMPLEX Grass Valley, CA



***UPDATE***

Fires are slowly going out. Poison oak seems to be winning the battle. Fire Fighters are covered with the itchy oozing rash that the plant inflicts. Some have blisters, some have bright red skin. Some don't get any rash at all. Tecnu seems to work OK with cleaning the oils from the skin. Zanfel seems to work in treating the severe rash. Nothing stops the rash. Of course, these fire fighters are going into the poison oak everyday. If they could work in it for one day, then go home, we could easliy stop the rash from happening. Repeated exposures mean repeated rashes...and more severe rashes.

I explain the cycle of exposure/rash to each fire fighter...they don't seem to get it. NOTHING cures poison oak. NOTHING. If you work in it, you will get a rash. No ifs, no and, no buts. Rash. itch. If I could develop something that would change the chemical compound of poison oak oils...I would be retired...very wealthy. Some products work better than others. Some products that work well on one person, don't work at all on another.

Bar soaps are the best cleaners, as they provide something to scrub with. The key to cleaning the oils from your skin is actually taking a shower. Some crews pride themselves on how dirty they can get. Then they wonder why they get poison oak so bad. Showering everyday is the best preventative and treatment.

dj

Ps. Toaka says..."When's dad coming home? I could use a snack."