Poison Ivy

[AmyBoz]

Loved the song, hate the condition.

Somehow, both dh and I have poison ivy. We've not been doing yardwork, so I'm not sure how we got it, but we do. I can't complain, as his is SO much worse, but it's still itchy.

We've hydrocortisoned ourselves and are taking Benadryl, since Calamine and Caladryl lotions aren't cutting it, but I thought I'd ask if anyone has any other tried and true remedies? With all of the gardeners here at the village, I figured that certainly some of you might know something I don't!

So, Please!

[Darlene]

Oh no! I am highly allergic & feel your pain. I NEVER want to have that again. Mine lasted for a couple weeks and was so so bad.
I'd also ask your doc or pharmacist, drug co's are always coming up with new drugs to help with this & that.
No remedy but it sure helped to ease the discomfort. Domeboro effervescent tablets. When mixed with water you can soak in it or use it as a compress or wet dressing. It's found at the drugstore. Isn't inexpensive but it really helped me.

http://www.walgreens.com/store/produ...49&id=prod5012

http://www.bayercare.com/Domeboro_faqs.cfm

[TheRootedNomad]

Sorry, no advice here just Hope you both feel better soon.

[kaykwilts]

I'm highly allergic to the stuff. It is all around me. I can't walk outside without encountering it. We live on five acres.

[ukbb]

In 2005 I got poison Ivy 3 times in a row. Each time the doctor prescribed steroids for it. On the third go around the steroids caused a systemic reaction where the poison ivy gets in your blood stream and goes every where. I was Poison Ivy from the jaw line down. Not a very fun experience and I vowed never to go to the doctor for PI again. In 2006 when I got it again I went to Walgreens and bought Ivy Dry. Nothing works better than Ivy Dry for getting rid of it, clearing it up in about 3 days.

http://www.walgreens.com/store/produ...&id=prod397533

UKBB

[wendinbill]

My son gets horrible poison ivy. He's been to the ER twice with it in the past. We now use Burt's Bees poison ivy soap whenever he's been outside in the warmer months, and if he actually has a rash. It clears it up quickly, without using steroids or other expensive creams. Knock on wood, he's been doing well for a few years now!!

[Rosebush3]

I have read several times that Fels Naptha relieves Poison Ivy. I have never had to deal with Poison Ivy myself, though, so I can't say. I would think it is worth a try - being a tried and true treatment and proabably a little better for you than taking medicines.

http://www.soapsgonebuy.com/ProductD...1&Show=ExtInfo

[Dancing Lotus]

I have never had it thank god but I wish you a fast recovery

[quiltingmommy]

My nephew used to get it ALL THE TIME. The doctor told my sister that the best thing is to soak in a tub every day for a while (not sure how long). It helped the itching and cleared it up faster than just calamine, etc. My dsis thought that soaking would make it spread, but it has the opposite effect.

Good Luck!!!

[KimmieSC]

Hi Amy,

My DH and I both got it last summer, and I remember it too well! Here's another vote for Ivy Dry - We used the spray, and it worked great for us! Cleared it up really quick, and it helped so much with the itching just as soon as you spray it on. There is also a scrub, cream, soak, and other stuff, but we only used the spray. Here's a link to the website if you want to read more about it: http://www.ivydry.com

Hope you both feel better soon!

Blessings,

[Jskell911]

You can also soak in a tepid tub w/ baking soda. And if you are looking for a natural itch relief that is no cost, you can also make a baking soda paste to put on the rash. Oatmeal would work as well.

Here is a pretty good website with some great ideas to help:


http://poisonivy.aesir.com/view/cures.html

[SSGWilkesWife]

My youngest son gets it and it spreads like wild fire. I have always taken him to the dr but one of my co workers who is a big hunter and who is always in the woods told me to use bleach. It worked. Make sure you dilute it.

Bleach Household bleach can be used to remove the poison ivy resin and treat the itch. Dab the affected area with a cotton ball soaked in a mixture of half water/half bleach. If you put this solution on blisters, they should be gone the next day. Should the above remedy irritate your skin, try making a wet compress and add some table salt or Epsom salts to the mixture, and apply for 30 minutes. This will help dry out the area.

Good luck.

[Frugal Nurse]

If you have pets? they bring it in.

No tried and true recipes... other than what you're already doing.

Darn it.. sorry.