Scratch Scratch Scratch -- Poison Ivy

I live in the woods w/ PI and no way to eradicate it completely. I use Felsnaptha laundry soap to wash my hands and arms (and whatever other body part). If I DO get PI I make a lather and leave it on the area to dry. It helps and is less expensive than a lot of other remedies. Also is great for stains or to wash the oils out of the clothing...

Don't let it get out of hand though. I've had PI so bad that the Dr didn't even know what it was and had to go to a dermie...got put on steroids, etc., and ended up w/ scars.

Nip it in the bud !xo

Boy, I would think that since you had such a bad experience in the past you should definitely see a doctor. You really don't know what kind or allergy you may have. I wouldn't mess with it if I were you.

Ahhh, I battle this twice a year. I also was on prednisone last year (after 3 weeks on no relief).

I'd go to Whole Foods and pick up a bottle or two of "Poison Ivy" by Hyland. You take 2-3 pills every 2 hours. It helps dry the rash up and within a couple days you'll feel much, much better. It's the only thing I take now.

~C.
~C.

YES!! Tea Tree Oil, if you google Tea Tree Oil and Poison Ivy, you will get a remedy for it. My father in law just used it two weeks ago and he said it worked better than any other "stuff" he's tried. I use it for blemishes, even on dandruff, when I wash our socks/underwear and it smells refreshing.

Good Luck,
J. W. MPH
Chicago Examiner Family Health Expert
http://www.examiner.com/x-7158-Chicago-Family-Health-Exam...

My oldest son seems to get into poison ivy every year. One of the best things our family has ever used for poison ivy is Bandaid Anti Itch gel. It used to be marketed as Rhuligel but Bandaid bought them out several years ago. It is fantastic at taking the itch out and dries the rash much quicker than caladryl.

J.

I work for the company that makes Tecnu - the cleanser that removes urushiol oil (the plant's toxin that causes the rash).

If you are having consistent problems when you are gardening, it may be that the plant oil is on your gardening tools. You can use the Original Tecnu Cleanser to clean your tools, gloves, etc. Just wipe the items down with the Tecnu cleanser and wipe off with a cloth or rinse with water.

If you are hyper-sensitive to the plants, you might also want to try Tecnu Extreme. It is a medicated scrub that removes the oil and also will treat your itch all in one step. Tecnu Extreme is homeopathic and many loyal Tecnu users find it to be a superior product.

I hope this helps. You can always contact us with questions at 1-800-ITCHING.

Since you know you have poison ivy in your yard, why don't you call TruGreenChemlawn and get rid of it permanently? Why deal with this ever happening again? Corn starch can help with the cool down of the burning and help with the itching. If you scratch it and it gets under your fingernails or if any is left on your fingers you can spread it to others.

ive got it now too! go get some rhuli gel at a drug store. keep putting it on!

I got it last year for the 1st time. It is awful!!! It takes about 2 weeks to get rid of it. I have it every year in our yard too. Whenever I come in from being in the dirt, I use Tecnu to wash my hands. It prevents the oils from spreading. It is great. You can also use it once you have poison ivy to shorten the time that you will have it. I got it at Target.

My husband gets it every year...he is a hunter and during turkey season he gets covered head to toe...one year he actually had to miss work for a few days, as it was on his face. Our Dr. gave him a steriod cream and that cleared it up very fast.

Good Luck...don't scratch

I sell Arbonne and we have a detox rescue wash that would help. If you have any questions call me ###-###-#### K..

Walgreens carries a product that works well....I dont' recall the name (it is clearly a Poison Ivy treatment) but it is in the section by the caladryl that should help (the phamacist will help if you can't see it) ......take some benedryl by mouth to help with the itching as well. Most importantly, make sure everything you were wearing and had contact with after the poison ivy is washed with a good oil cutting detergent. It is the oil residue that creates the reaction.....I feel for you. my brother works outdoors and deals with this EVERY year!

Benadryl gel is very good

There are actually other products out there now that stop the spread and take care of things much more quickly than caladryl. One brand I am aware of is called Zanfel, but I think there are others as well. It's important to wash the oils off, and regular soap/water don't do it, so products like that will wash it away and stop the itch much sooner, not to mention stop any possible spread that might happen before it gets even worse!

For immediate itch relief, I'd try a baking soda paste (mix with hot water into a paste and put it on the itchy spots). Worked like a charm for an unknown rash I got last year that felt very similar to when I had poison ivy several years prior -- and cleared whatever that was right up after only a few applications as well, so I never did need to look into getting a product to take away the itch or rash. It helps dry out the rash and definitely took away a lot of the itch within seconds for me.

Aveeno Oatmeal baths are very soothing if you have time.

M.

Tecnu is 6/8 dollars and it works. Don't pay $36 for the expensive stuff when Tecnu works just as well. If you know your going to get into it you can bath with Tecnu but do it with in two hours of contact. Also NEVER burn the plants in your yard it will make the poision AIRBORN!!! I actually thought I had PI and contracted it from a Nursery(plants)but actually was bitten from a Woodlouse Spider(Brown/red Family). Which caused th same blistering as PI.

Aveeno makes a lotion that is like caladryl it will help with the itching and maybe dry it up faster than calamine lotion