Poison ivy remedy!

**Mckeekitty** · 05-24-2009, 04:09 PM

Every sping/summer I contract poison ivy, and I've become quite sensitive to it. I'm careful when I'm outdoors, and suspect that I must be picking it up from our cats/dog. Not petting them/kissing them is not an option!

On Thursday I woke up with a patch of it on my chin (very unatrractive) and a patch behind my knee. In the past I've let it run its miserable course and remedied the itching/oozing with Caladryl and Calamine lotion. I really didn't want to go through it again so I Googled some home remedies. I really didn't have any high expectations...I was just feeling desperate. Apple cider vinegar kept popping up again and again. I found some in the cupboard and dabbed it on my chin and leg...within 72 hour the poison ivy was GONE!!!

I'm not sure, but I think catching it very early was the key to success.

I

**bluedog** · 05-24-2009, 06:13 PM

Dang! What a relief that must be!!

**Cricketlegs** · 05-25-2009, 06:12 PM

I am the worst for catching it and have some right now where my arm folds and I always use the vinegar and it dries it right up and it has not spread at all.

It has hung around because if I sweat (at night in my sleep) I will scratch it not knowing because it is the only time it will itch.

I swear by the vinegar and staying out of the shower as much as possible as water will make it spread.

**Grainlady** · 05-26-2009, 08:03 AM

Other "old-fashioned" treatments:

1. Lather a bar of homemade lye soap. Spread the lather on the infected area and let dry. My daughter (the poison ivy queen), swears by this method.

2. Fels Naptha Soap:
"Fels Naptha Soap has been used for over 100 years for the treatment and prevention of poison ivy, sumac and oak rash. If you think you have been exposed to poison ivy, oak or sumac, shower immediately with Fels Naptha to remove the resin from your skin. this will greatly reduce and in most cases, prevent any skin reaction to the poison ivy oil. Make sure to launder your clothes in some shaved or grated Fels Naptha (about 1/16th of the bar) to remove the resin from your clothes. Poison Ivy resin can stay on your clothes."

3. Jewelweed:
http://www.herbalremedies.com/poisonivykit.html

http://www.altnature.com/jewelweed.htm

**lisaflex** · 05-26-2009, 07:26 PM

interesting

**butterflygreen** · 05-26-2009, 09:03 PM

this is good to know. My dd has already has poison ivy 2 times this year.

**freebs** · 05-26-2009, 10:02 PM

Mine isnt the greatest remedy and a good remedy for everyone but i get it soooo bad it is weeks before its gone. I use paint thinner. I just put it on a rag and rub it over the rash. by the next day it is dried up and going away.