Ok. I've been trying to garden. I moved my poor St. Francis statue out from among the overgrown plants in the garden to sit in front of the bird feeder so I can see him. I moved a few trees that had planted themselves in our already crowded garden to sit around St. Francis.So, now I have poison ivy. It was my own fault, for, although I had worn gloves (mostly!) I didn't wear a long sleeved shirt. I should have. Too late now.
Now that I *have* poison ivy, how do I get rid of it? I have hydrocortizone cream that I'm slathing on there and it sort of works.
Any suggestions on poison ivy treatment would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
12 comments:
Oh no! Hydrocortizone is the best for the itch and it should dry it out. Just don't scratch it -- don't want it to get infected.
I'm trying not to! :)
Definately don't scratch! It will spread if it oozes
I believe the best advice should come from your Physician
But suggestions are always aprreciated I know
Drying it up is the best way, it will have to take it's course, but drying it up is the key
I have always said and have used for many years Ammens Powder (this is a medicated powder, over the counter)
Then of course if you are not at risk somewhere that you can afford to be sleepy, then Benadryl as prescribed helps with the itching.
Of course your MD should be who you consult
Hope this helps
Thanks, Ginny. I'm trying a benedryl spray on it, along with triple antibiotic ointment and it does seem to help.
If you have a bathtub--rather than just a shower--take a bath with Aveeno oatmeal bath. Your pharmacist can tell you which Aveeno product it is--it comes in a package like the oatmeal you get for breakfast, but it is not for eating!!! If you bathe in this, it will help so-o-o-o much with the itching. My doctor gave me an 8 pack of it once.
You may want to see a dr as well, since there are many RX treatments, as well as shots, which may benefit you.
Thanks!
Hi! Don't know how often this is a problem for you, but my dear son is so severely allergic, we usually end up in the emergency room. Then we discovered a homeopathic remedy called Oral Ivy. I know, I know...homeopathy?!! I truly didn't believe it would work but we were so desperate. My son had sworn he would never go into the woods again. We received our order when he was experiencing a full-blown outbreak. He began taking the recommended dose for individuals who had already been exposed...and it stopped it in it's tracks! He had less itching, fewer lesions, no scarring and it cleared up in 1/3 the time. It was amazing.
He takes a maintenance dose daily, and though he is still cautious when approaching poison ivy, he has only contracted the most mild case, usually confined to a couple patches on his ankles.
There is also another product called "Ivy Block". This is a very recent discovery and I haven't used it as yet. It works on the same premise as sunblock, providing a protective barrier against the rhus toxin - it actually absorbs the oils and later is washed away.
Another FYI: The oils from the poison ivy plant are extremely difficult to rinse away, this is why it appears that the poison ivy is spreading. Using rubbing alcohol after known exposures, promptly showering and washing clothing in very hot water can help you avoid an outbreak.
Just another mom-soldier in the poison ivy war!!
Wow! Thanks so much, Kimberly! I'm going to have to try some of your suggestions!
Oh, and dh says to wash your shoes. He used to get poison ivy very badly and it kept "spreading" over the course of a few weeks. The doctor told him to wash his shoes -- seemed each time he was putting on his shoes he was getting the oil on his hands and spreading it.
Wow. I never thought of that. Mine seems to be getting better, little by little.
I'm glad to hear the tip about shoes. I'm HIGHLY allergic to that stuff and usually get an outbreak every summer. My experience has been that I have to just wait it out and try not to scratch because no remedy really helps. do you still have it? How long has it lingered?
It's still there, Darrell, but it seems to be getting a little bit better. Before I go anywhere, I either spray it with anti-itch spray or put LOTS of hydrocortizone cream on it, which seems to help.
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