Any advice for poison ivy?

Question

Ok, let me just first say that I never in my entire life had poison ivy. Now, five days before heading off to college, it hits me like a ton of bricks.

Now it didnt start appearing until maybe three days after I had been anywhere near what could have been poison ivy. Started itching two very discrete spots and now, a week later, its all down both arms, around my neck and chest, on my ears, face, and knees. I am now taking a steroid for it and still applying cream but for some reason it appears to keep spreading and I dont know why because I control my scratching and Im taking the medicine.

So does anyone know some solid advice as to how I can stop it from spreading other than the obvious (dont scratch it)?

Thanks

Answer 1

Try using a towel or washcloth soaked in either plain tap water or Burow's Solution (an astringent solution -- you can make it yourself using Domeboro tablets or powder packets available over-the-counter). This can help relieve the intense itching and remove dry crust that has formed as a result of the rash.


A fan blowing over the cool compress will diminish some of the heat of the itching and help to dry up some of the ooze coming from the rash. As the skin is cooling, the blood vessels compress and that cuts down on the itching and the new ooze.


Some dermatologists recommend rubbing an ice cube gently over the rash several times a day, then letting the skin air-dry.


Soaking in a tub, particularly using an oatmeal bath such as Aveeno, can also be very soothing to the itch. Be sure the bath is cool or lukewarm -- but not hot -- as heat tends to make the rash even more inflamed.


After the cooling treatment (using any of the forms mentioned above), coat the rash with a shake lotion such as calamine. This continues to relieve the itching and helps to dry up the blisters.


Be sure to check the expiration date on an old calamine bottle in your medicine cabinet, since it may not be effective after the expiration date. Be sure the shake lotion does not contain benzocaine, zirconium, or a topical antihistamine, such as Benadryl. These can actually make the rash worse by producing their own allergic reactions when applied to already sensitive skin.


Applying hydrocortisone or another topical corticosteroid will help suppress the itching and give temporary relief, but does little to hasten the drying up of the rash.


Taking an oral antihistamine, such as Benadryl, can help with the itching quite a bit, although it does not speed up resolution of the rash. Taking benadryl at nighttime will make most people drowsy and help them sleep through the night without itching.


Don't use Benadryl cream or spray topically too much, because this can cause its own reaction.


In severe cases of poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac, it is a good idea to see a doctor. Sometimes large blisters need to be drained, and sometimes an oral steroid such as prednisone may be useful. Occasionally, even a steroid injection is needed.

And>
Systemic steroids produce rapid resolution of both the itching and the rash. If they are needed, a gradually tapering dosage over about 12 days should be given. The dosage needs to be tapered to avoid side effects after discontinuing use, and the entire course should be taken since stopping earlier may result in a rebound rash as bad as the original. I hope this info helps, good luck

Answer 2

CHECK OUT THE SOURCE BELOW - WEB SITE.

The only way poison oak/ivy/sumac can "spread" is by repeated contact with something that has the active agent (urishiol) on it. This could be a garden tool of some sort, shoes, a jacket or other article of clothing, or you may be re-exposing yourself by frequenting some area where the plants are present or left behind some residue and maybe you don't realize it. The bad news is your case sounds like a typical one and you're going to be suffering for just about 2 weeks from date of contact (i.e. last contact more than likely if you are being repeatedly exposed). It sounds like you're having the sort of "systemic" attack that I've had before, usually when I "bushwhaked" in, around, or after traversing an area that had poison oak/ivy/sumac. By doing so any oil that got on my skin or clothes caused me to get "innoculated" when I got scratched by a bush and then (I've deduced, but never confirmed with an "expert") the stuff ended up in my blood, which causes me to have spreading something like you describe most likely as my circulatory system takes the agent all around my body and I have a general allergic reaction to the agent. But I live & hike/mountain bike in areas that are FULL of poison oak/sumac and I've managed to stay free from any outbreaks (last possible contact 2 days ago) for 2-3 years now. How? I read that urishiol is WATER SOLUABLE so whenever I even think I might have had the slightest contact with this substance I douse myself with water IMMEDIATELY. It's worked so far... keeping my fingers crossed.

Answer 3

If it's spreading, it's not poison. The only way it would continue "spread" if it were poison is if you were still coming in to contact with it.

That means it's probably something else...perhaps impetigo from scratching. This is caused by staph or strep bacteria, and presents with vesicles, pustules and a yellowish crust that itches terribly.

Get back to the doctor and have them check it out.

Answer 4

get back to Dr, quick as you can. it sounds like something else ,not poison ivy, in any case medication isn't working.
if it was poison ivy you would have the rash almost instantly after touching it.if it was poison ivy, the only way it could spread would be for you to scratch and touch wherever you are breaking out now, don't wait, get to Dr at once,

Answer 5

You're taking the steroid orally right? If you go and get a shot of cortisone that will be a HUGE relief. But it is very painful. Also, taking a bath with oatmeal (like you do for chicken pox) will help relieve the itching.

Answer 6

use calamine lotion...also their is a shot you can get from the doctors now that will help keep poison ivy down....it is usually given to people that are really bothered with poison ivy a lot...my ex mother- in law use to get the shots in the summer...but calamine lotion is the best and maybe getting some benadryl for itching....

Answer 7

Pl. continue with medicines for a week. If it doesn't work then it isn't poison but the case of internal heat imbalance. Either you go to a Su - Jok acupuncturist preferably or a traditional one. If nobody is there you can visit us.

Answer 8

aveno oatmeal bath it works pretty good for itching and to keep from spreading. You can also just put oatmeal in like cheese cloth and use in your bath. Also they have a product just for poisen ivy or oak at your local health food store that helps.

Answer 9

I have always been told to put a little bit of bleach on a wash clothe and dab it on the rash. It burns like crazy but it will dry it up fast. But, I'm really not sure how healthy it is, all of my family did it and they are fine.

Answer 10

keep appling the cream but in between cream treatment or right after a bath, gently bath area with distilled white vinigar. may burn some but it starts killing the virus