Cost-effective post-exposure prevention of poison ivy dermatitis.
BACKGROUND
Poison ivy (toxicodendron) dermatitis is the most common allergic contact dermatitis in the USA. No studies have shown an effect of washing after a short period of time for the prevention of binding of urushiol to the skin. Objective To evaluate the efficacy of three different modes of postcontact prevention using a surfactant (Dial ultra dishwashing soap), an oil-removing compound (Goop), and chemical inactivation (a commercial product Tecnu).


METHODS
A consented, unsponsored, volunteer experimental study on medical students from the University of Missouri School of Medicine, Kansas City. Each subject served as his/her own control, comparing four 2.5-cm exposed squares on the inner aspect of the forearm, three of which were treated and one untreated.


RESULTS
Comparisons between the different agents were nonsignificant with P > 0.05. Each treatment, however, was significantly improved over the untreated control.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study showed 70%, 61.8%, and 56. 4% protection with Tecnu, Goop, and Dial, respectively, when compared to the positive control, or to the possible maximum response, with a cost per ounce (in a local drug and automotive store) of $1.25, $0.07, and $0.07, respectively, for a decrease in protection that is nonsignificant.
Division of Dermatology, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Kansas City, USA. stibicas@umdnj.edu
A S
AS
Stibich
M
M
Yagan
V
V
Sharma
B
B
Herndon
C
C
Montgomery
D000328:Adult; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D011040:Dermatitis, Toxicodendron / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D012997:Solvents / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States
D012997:Solvents; D013501:Surface-Active Agents