2007-06-23 14:32:43 · 9 answers · asked by starlet57 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Skin Conditions
yes, calamine DOES work, however it is usually kinda slow in working. calamine has a drying effect on the blisters associated with poison ivy, oak, sumac (actually called contact dermatitis). This problem is caused by an oil found in the leaves and vines of these plants that is an irritant to most folks. Newer producst like caladryl combine the drying effect of calamine with the itch relieving effect of benadryl. And yes, the clear type works just as well as the pink stuff. Just be sure to not used calamine products on your face. The drying effect can cause some other problems there. If you notice that you are breaking out in areas that did not touch the plant, or if one area is clearing up but a new area is breaking out somewhere else, you may have systemic absorbtion of the oil, in which case you MAY need oral steroids to completely clear it up. There is a fairly new medication out thats availble OTC called Zanfel. Its kinda expensive, but works very well if used at the onset of symptoms. It is a special type of soap that helps to remove the toxin and even pulls it from the skin after it has absorbed. I have suffered frequently from this problem every summer of my life and this product is the best thing i have found. BE SURE -to avoid scratching as much as possible, because this can cause a secondary skin infection that will compound the problem and the discomfort. Good Luck
2007-06-24 04:41:07 · answer #1 · answered by Lon E 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, and they even have clear type so you don't have to be PINK also you can take Benadryl
2007-06-23 21:35:22 · answer #2 · answered by eeyore6838 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes
2007-06-23 21:40:24 · answer #3 · answered by beachy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it does work
2007-06-23 21:35:42 · answer #4 · answered by Rimi 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think it does stop the itching because it dries it out. only temporarily of course.
2007-06-23 21:37:35 · answer #5 · answered by iknowimuhnerd 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
as far as i know, it only lessens the itching. i dont think it has much healing effect
2007-06-23 21:36:06 · answer #6 · answered by profilegirl14 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes it does
2007-06-23 21:35:17 · answer #7 · answered by caffsans 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes but when real bad you need steriods and antibodics.
2007-06-23 22:32:16 · answer #8 · answered by Michael M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
idk but my bro has poisn ivy and is putting that stuff on it and it doesnt seem to b helping much
hey will you do me a favor and go to http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070622164307AADabHA&cp=4&tp=4&tnu=120#all-answers
2007-06-23 21:35:30 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋