HELP! Poison Ivy....

[tinkfan4ever]

I've got poison ivy for the first time. How long does it take to completely break out in the rash? I've read on several other websites that once you break out you're not contagious but I've also read conflicting things on that. I've already spent a fortune on anti itch stuff and benadryl. It's mostly on my forarms but the itching is killing me!!!!! It took over a week to break out which I thought was weird and I thought I was in the clear. LOL

Is there a special way to do laundry to make sure I don't spread it further? Also, what's the best anti-itch remedies?
THANKS!!!!! from itchytinkfan lol

 

[gina2000]

You cannot give poison ivy to another person. You are only contagious to yourself. You are most contagious to yourself when the boils burst and you spread the liquid to other parts of your skin. Do not scratch your skin because each time you scratch, you spread it. You must change clothing completely every day and you should change your sheets every day to prevent reinfecting yourself.

I use benedryl to stop the itch. It also knocks me out which is a good thing....so I don't scratch. I have used calamine lotion but there are more effective remedies on the market....one is riuli cream and though I've never used it, people say it works. Check with your pharmacist for over the counter preparations. They've come a long way.

If you cannot get it under control, you might seek out a dermotologist who will prescribe steroids. It's drastic, but it works.

 

[hrslvr142]

I get poison ivy very easily (didn't start until I was almost 50!) and I literally had it for 3 months one time because I didn't want to go to the doctor. It would almost clear one area and then go on to another. I, like you, bought every itch relief medicine available, tried bleach, tried vinegar, every "home remedy" I could find, bleaching my clothes, my bed linens, etc. Finally went to the dr and got prednisone which cleared it up in about a week. It is miserable and my heart goes out to you. Hopefully yours clears up easier then that.

 

[rockyroad]

When I get poison ivy, I really get it.
I go to the doctor and even with the steroids, it lasts a month.

When I have it, I get the initial spots and then later I get a lighter rash over larger areas.

I have found that running hot water over it can stop the itch for while.

If you have it on your face, go to the doctor right away.
Men and boys often get it in a really sensitive spot.

And you can get poison ivy from clothing while doing laundry.
My husband got into some and I got it from handling his jacket while washing it.

 

[Illuminations_Rocks]

Just wanted to put in a post that isn't as scary as the others. Everyone has a different level of reaction. I've had it, many many times. And for me, it lasts like, a week, and doesn't spread hardly at all. I douse it with the pink calamine (works better than the clear) and suck it up. YES it itches a whole lot, but you really shouldn't scratch it. If you feel you must, put on a glove, or use your knuckles (or both) and don't scratch for very long!!!! Really though, try not to. I've had it on arms, legs, stomach (swimsuit in the woods, not good), and in between my fingers at times. I also got impetigo when I had it - yeah, reallllllly try to avoid that.

Just wanted to let you know that not everyone gets it the same. The PP's who get it terribly, oh my goodness, I'm sorry!!

 

[ceecee]

I get it a lot, I haven for a while though. The last time I had it was the worst...3-4 weeks it lasted, I finally went to the Dr for a cortisone shot. I had it on my eyelids! If you scratch and touch yourself somewhere else that's when it can spread. Bleach helped the itching and there is something called DumBurro (?) the pharmacist recommended that was good too.

 

[kristilew]

What really works: Oak-n-Ivy brand IvySTAT! You can get it at a drugstore otc. It has two medicines: one is an exfoliant that removes all of the oils and stops the irritant from spreading, the second is hydrocortisone gel to soothe the rash.

My yard warrior hubby swears by it. Good luck!

 

[PrincessKitty1]

I basically live in the woods, so I've had poison ivy more times than I can remember, just from working out in the yard! . Absolutely the best ointment I've tried is 1% steroid ointment, over the counter. For me, the ointment seems to work better than the cream because you can gob it on and it stays in one place (I gob it on directly over each lesion).

 

[TheBigBadWolf]

My pharmacist told me to take Tagamet (cimetidine) along with Benadryl to quickly heal poison ivy. Tagamet can be purchased over the counter or you can get prescription strength from your pharmacist. Tagamet has a wonderful side effect. Take it like you had a stomach ulcer--it cannot hurt you--and it incidentally dries up and heals skin lesions. This is true for poison oak, poison ivy, and even shingles. Take enough over-the-counter Tagamet to equal the prescription dose, twice daily. A reasonable, not-excessive adult dose is 400 mg twice a day. You may take it with food, if you like. You'll only need to do this for two or three days--maximum. Cimetidine will do more for you than a steroid shot, or topical corticosteroids, ever could.

 

[Karenj2]

I had (have) it so often that when I used to go to camp in the summer, my nickname was Ivy! (I even CAME to camp with it once.)

I've tried various methods, but when I got it more recently (summer of 2006), I had to go to the DR to get the steriod shot, plus I got a drying agent/anti-itch cream (prescription strength). It didn't help that I got it right before heading down to Disney... in September... with heat and humidity. That was not fun.

Anyway, if the over the counter methods aren't working for you - don't stay miserable - get to your dr.

 

[vsimeone]

This is an ancient, old, remedy but my grandmother used to swear by Fels Naptha soap. You can find it in the laundry isle. Sit in a warm bathtub and lather with the Fels Naptha. I don't get poison ivy very often or bad but it does seem to really help if I do occasionally get it!

Best wishes to you. I hope you're feeling better soon!

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Take Benadryl and use Ivarest. Those work ok for me.

Don't hesitate to get to the Doc if it spreads. They can give you a shot and prescribe some meds that clear it up within a week or two if it's really bad.

Last time I went in my Dr. said it would be much easier if I'd just avoid it. I laughed and said this time it was Poison Oak and I didn't know what it looked like until I broke out.

I hope it clears up quick for you!

 

[rockyroad]

I have also heard that some people get good results from getting into a swimming pool, chlorine, not salt.

Another good things is that the steroid dose pack is one of the $4 prescriptions at my pharmacy.

 

[cart-mom]

There certainly are plenty of great ideas here and you just have to find the one that works best for you. We've tried them all and every time it seems like a different remedy works best. A few more to add to the list are vitamin E oil and oatmeal. Take a bath in the oatmeal to ease the itch and use the oil afterwards. It also doesn't hurt to boost your immune system with some echinacea and white tea.

If it spreads to your face, you'll need to seek medical attention.

Good luck.

 

[LisaNJ25]

When I get it I break out bad... I go right the the Drs for a script. One year I hadnt is so bad on my face you couldn't recognize me. I hate the stuff and seem to catch it all the time.

 

[Joel110]

My DW makes fun of me because it seems like if I just look at Poison Ivy I break out. I used to have it for weeks on end. I had all of the trips to the Dr to get steroid shots to clear it up and tried all the home remedies. However, the real issue is getting rid of the oil...it can remain on your clothes for a year or more and is hard to get off your skin. I found the product Zanfel to be excellent in killing the itch and reduce the blistering, supposedly because it does remove the oil that causes the reaction. It's pricey, but Rite Aid has a generic called "quick relief"

http://www.zanfel.com/help/

 

[Sammybeau's Mom]

My 10-year-old really breaks out with it. He takes Benedryl and that helped him to not be miserable! Hope you get better soon.

 

[Humphrey Bear]

My DW makes fun of me because it seems like if I just look at Poison Ivy I break out. I used to have it for weeks on end. I had all of the trips to the Dr to get steroid shots to clear it up and tried all the home remedies. However, the real issue is getting rid of the oil...it can remain on your clothes for a year or more and is hard to get off your skin. I found the product Zanfel to be excellent in killing the itch and reduce the blistering, supposedly because it does remove the oil that causes the reaction. It's pricey, but Rite Aid has a generic called "quick relief"

http://www.zanfel.com/help/

I also have had great results with Zanfel. It gets rid of all the itching within three or four days just using it once a day when showering. You have no itch afterwards. It is GREAT!

 

[Alesia]

You cannot give poison ivy to another person. You are only contagious to yourself. You are most contagious to yourself when the boils burst and you spread the liquid to other parts of your skin. Do not scratch your skin because each time you scratch, you spread it. You must change clothing completely every day and you should change your sheets every day to prevent reinfecting yourself.

I'm sorry, but this is absolutely not true. The liquid from the boils does not spread the rash. Once you have washed the oil off of your skin, it will not spread.

 

[Kim in SPR]

Tucks pads (like for hemorrhoids). I got it for the first time about 10 years ago and I was covered head to toe. My gramma actually suggested it. I just couldn't sleep at night so by that time, I was willing to try anything. She gave me a baggy of them and I put them by the nightstand. When I woke up, I wiped one all over my arms and had almost instant relief.

I also bought Ivy Dry at the pharmacy. I remember if it helped with the itch but it did dry up the blisters a lot faster.