Tecnu

Tecnu is an over-the-counter skin cleanser manufactured by Tec Laboratories, a pharmaceutical company based in Albany, Oregon. It is intended for use by humans and furry pets after topical exposure to urushiol, the active ingredient in poison oak, poison ivy, and poison sumac.[1] Tecnu is made from deodorized mineral spirits, water, propylene glycol, octylphenoxy-polythoxethanol, mixed fatty acid soap, and fragrance.

A bottle of Tecnu, a cleanser which prevents the oils which cause poison oak rash from bonding to the skin.

History

The cleanser was invented by former Mead Johnson executive and chemist Robert Smith during the early 1960s. Tecnu, for "Technically New," was intended to remove radioactive fallout dust from skin.[2][3] Several years later, his wife discovered another use for the cleanser. After an exposure to poison oak, she washed with Tecnu and did not get urushiol-induced contact dermatitis.[4][5]

In 1977, the company began to market Tecnu to foresters, firefighters, surveyors, and utility crews. It has since become a popular remedy for gardeners and others who live and work around poison ivy.[6][7]

Effectiveness

Tecnu's effectiveness for postexposure treatment has been confirmed in a nonrandomized study, in which the authors concluded: "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."[8] A survey article is also available.[9]

References
  1. "Tecnu". Tec Laboratories. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
  2. Fryer, Bronwyn (December 1, 1998). "No False Moves". Inc. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
  3. LaBar, Ryan "Squirrel". "Tecnu Inventor Dr. Robert Smith Dies at 88". Bike Magazine. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
  4. Moody, Jennifer (March 30, 2014). "A Rash of Innovation: A Half-Century Ago, a Yard Full of Poison Oak in Corvallis Lit the Fuse on a Pharmaceutical Power". Corvallis Gazette-Times. pp. A1, A5.
  5. Jennifer Moody (March 30, 2014). "Focus 2014 Part 2: An itch to innovate sparked Tec Labs". Albany Democrat-Herald. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
  6. Christie, Tim (July 7, 2004). "Got Poison Oak? You Can Fight Back". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon. Retrieved June 3, 2008.
  7. Anne Raver (July 14, 1991). "This Week - Watering Grass". The New York Times. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
  8. Stibich, Adam S.; Yagan, Mark; Sharma, Vidya; Herndon, Betty; Montgomery, Christopher (July 2000). "Cost-effective post-exposure prevention of poison ivy dermatitis". International Journal of Dermatology. 39 (7): 515–518. doi:10.1046/j.1365-4362.2000.00003.x. PMID 10940115.
  9. Gladman AC (2006). "Toxicodendron dermatitis: poison ivy, oak, and sumac". Wilderness and Environmental Medicine. 17 (2): 120–128. doi:10.1580/pr31-05.1. PMID 16805148.
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