how can I treat poison ivy..the itching is killing me?

Answer 1

Poison ivy, oak, or Sumac can be really irritating and sometimes painful to deal with. Especially if you are allergic or very sensitive to the oils in these plants.
Some of the best advise I can give on that topic has to do with treating the oils from the plant that have already been absorbed into your skin, drying out the affected areas and the basic preventative measures to make sure you don't spread the rash.
The most important first step in treatment is to thoroughly wash the area with a dish soap. Something with antibacterial, bleach or just regular dish soap will help to draw out the oils from the plant that have been absorbed in the skin. Another helpful hint to drawing out the oils that cause the itchy rash are soaks in a tub of salted water (basin or sink if possible), epsom salt usually disolves best. Then, rinse with the dishsoap shower immediately after. These rinses and showers should be done 2-4 times per day.
Allow skin to dry throughly- trying to avoid rubbing or toweling off the affected area. Avoid touching, scratching, rubbing, popping of small blisters caused by the rash. Follow this by making a 'paste' of baking soda and water.
Apply this paste using disposable gloves and cotton balls. Dispose in an out of reach area after application. Allow paste to dry throughly, rinse off and apply calamine lotion, or a Zinc Oxide based ointment. Products like Zanfel or TechNu are also popular remedies to ease the itch, spread and pain of poison ivy.
I would also suggest daily changing/washing of bedding, towels and all clothing that may come in to contact with the affected area. Place items to be laundered in plastic bags and use arm and hammer baking soda based detergent to launder the items SEPARATE from other laundry. Drying the garments on a higher heat setting is also suggested. (check clothing care labels) . A spray product such as Lysol or another disinfectant spray should be used around the home, car, any areas that you may have touched after touching the rash to prevent spread.
Finally, a dose of vitamin c twice per day and flushing the body with plenty of fluids, foods high in natural enzymes (such as yogurt), will help to cleanse the poison from your skin and body. Remember not to expose yourself to climates that are too warm, the idea is to dry the rash as much as possible. Sleeping in a cool environment, keeping fingernails and hands covered or gloved (to avoid night time clawing at the rash) are also helpful.
Remember to wash your hands and use a hand sanitizer before and after any bathroom use. This will help to avoid spreading the rash to these areas as well (a common mistake with those suffering from poison ivy, oak and sumac).
Finally, if you seem to have any serious spreading, prolonged itching, burning or any signs of severe swelling- contact a doctor immediately! I hope you find some of this advice helpful. Feel better soon!

Answer 2

Living in the Poison Ivy infested woods of Arkansas, the best remedy we've found is Epsom Salt.

Dissolve 1-cup Epsom Salt in 1-gallon warm water. Ladel the salt water over affected area, or dab with a wet cloth. Let skin air-dry. The salt crystals will appear shiny. Do this several times daily.

If you work outside or do activities that cause you to sweat: Soak some paper towels in the Epsom Salt water. Hang to dry. Use a new dry towel to dab sweat off.

My nephew gets into Poison Ivy several times every year. I swear he gets it just by being around it, not even touching it. I learned about Epsom Salt to treat Poison Ivy at a Alternative Health website, but I didn't save the link.

All that said, if you have a severe case that covers most of your body or is close to your eyes get a shot from your doctor.

Best of luck to you.

Answer 3

www.poisonivysoap.com has had some good results here and has a money back if not satisfied guarantee.
I recommend 1 gram of vitamin C every 2-3 hours til itching subsides. Also, apply vitamin C cream (available at most health store outlets) twice daily, and Vitamin E oil or cream twice daily, alternating, about 6 hours apart.
Caladryl lotion seems to help some folks
Finally, Hyland makes some homeopathic Poison Ivy Pills that really helped my wife with her rash after all else had failed to give relief.
Good luck and God bless!

Answer 4

If the affected area is not too large, or too bad, or in a very delicate area, the standard treatment is to use something like Caladryl, which is a combination of calamine and benadryl topical. If the affected area is over half of your body, or in your eyes, mouth or other sensitive area (I know a guy who was in the woods and used it for toilet paper), then it is best to see a doctor.

Jewelweed is a natural treatment for poison ivy.

Poison Ivy is a plant that has an oil that is very irritating and causes an immune reaction.

Here are a couple of links about poison ivy and treatment:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A47833-2004Aug30.html

http://pediatrics.about.com/cs/conditions/a/poison_ivy.htm

Answer 5

CALAMINE LOTION & BENADRYL

Unless you are verry allergic then you may wan't to see a doctor.
Be carefull not to spread it when you itich it and the juice gets on your fingers that is how it spreads so wash your hands frequently espically before and after using the rest room or eating you don't want it in your mouth or private area's

Answer 6

I swear by a product available at any large chain pharmacy: TECHNU
Clear like water, rub some on, Wait 15 minutes, shower it off
That's all
Works like a charm

Answer 7

You can use cream from drug store like Calamine lotion or go see a doctor if really bad and they will give you a shot of steroids in your butt which clears it up in a couple of days.

Answer 8

Go to the doctor or er for steroids if rash is severe and take some benadryl for the itch.

Answer 9

Try either hydrocortisone cream or calamine with antihistamine. Then you have to avoid scratching no matter what. The scratching is what makes it worse and spreads it.

Answer 10

Benadryl orally. Calamine lotion topically.