Help with Poison Ivy!!!!!!

[wezee]

I have poison ivy or poison oak all over the inside of my thighs. No laughing please...it's not what you think. I think I got it from my indoor/outdoor cat who loves to climb trees ( we live in the country) and then she comes inside, in the evening, and loves to lay on my lap. Believe me...the kitty will be banned to the outside for awhile. DH went out yesterday and sprayed all suspicious plants around the yard.

Anyone have a quick cure, home remedy, or miracle....it looks terrible and feels even worse.

 

[Dashzap]

If it is really bad, go see your doctor. They may give you steriods.

 

[wezee]

It is starting to dry and I would rather avoid making a trip to the Dr. if possible, due to my work schedule.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

If it is not spreading enough to have you go to the doc, how about going to the pharmacy. The pharmacist would probably offer great advice for an over the counter remedy.

When I had my encounter I needed the doc-in-the-box ride. I had my episode just as we arrived in WDW. I was given some good stuff and was relieved!

Best WISHes on finding something that works quickly.

 

[mousemgr2]

One of the best over the counter things I have found is Aveeno Oatmeal Bath. The most important thing is to use cool water. Warm water makes itching worse. Aveeno also makes an anti-itch cream.

Also, benedryl is your friend. Don't wait until the itching is driving you crazy before you take the benedryl. Stay ahead of the itching.

As far as killing the plants, be sure to remove the plants from the yard. Don't just spray them with weed killer. If the plant is still in the yard it will still have the oil that causes the rash.

Anything that may have come in contact with the plants should be washed/disposed of. For example, if your shoes touch the plant, the oil will stay on your shoes and can cause you to get reinfected even a year later. This includes any garden equipment or clothing. Any animals should have their fur/feet washed.

That's all I can think of now. If it does get worse you can see a doctor. They can prescribe steroids. I know this because I am on week 3 of my steroids. This is the 3rd year I have had poison ivy and each year it has gotten worse. This year it the worst. I would say that 75% of my body is a rash.

Hope that helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[wezee]

One of the best over the counter things I have found is Aveeno Oatmeal Bath. The most important thing is to use cool water. Warm water makes itching worse. Aveeno also makes an anti-itch cream.

Also, benedryl is your friend. Don't wait until the itching is driving you crazy before you take the benedryl. Stay ahead of the itching.

As far as killing the plants, be sure to remove the plants from the yard. Don't just spray them with weed killer. If the plant is still in the yard it will still have the oil that causes the rash.

Anything that may have come in contact with the plants should be washed/disposed of. For example, if your shoes touch the plant, the oil will stay on your shoes and can cause you to get reinfected even a year later. This includes any garden equipment or clothing. Any animals should have their fur/feet washed.

That's all I can think of now. If it does get worse you can see a doctor. They can prescribe steroids. I know this because I am on week 3 of my steroids. This is the 3rd year I have had poison ivy and each year it has gotten worse. This year it the worst. I would say that 75% of my body is a rash.

Hope that helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.

OMG...I feel so sorry for you. I know how much I itch and how unsightly my legs look....I couldn't imagine having it over 75% of my body. One of my co-workers mentioned oral benedryl and it has helped. Does this mean if I get it next year it will be worse?? I hate baths, but I will look at the pharmacy for the aveeno cream.
Plus I will send DH on a plant wacking mission...thanks again for all the great info. BTW.....my cat is defiantly banned from the house for now. Her bed and food are in the garage anyways and she loves being outside chasing the birds. Thanks again!!

 

[leanne2255]

I can definitely emphathize with your suffering. I have a mild case on both arms, and this is now the THIRD year in row that I've gotten it. I keep telling my DH, that I do not WANT to cut down any "weeds" in the yard, and even with long sleeves, I still manage to get it.

Luckily, we have Rx steroid cream from the doctor which is helping, but if your case is that bad, the only way is the oral steroid treatment. You'll feel better immediately, and wonder why you did not go to the doctor sooner.

Take care-

 

[jjjmranch]

My DH swears by GoJo. It's a pumice based soap. He goes disc-golfing all the time in the woods/forest preserves and sometimes the discs go in fields of poison ivy. The minute he gets home, he showers and uses this soap. There's something about it that really gets rid of the oil from poison ivy. He used to break out all the time with rashes (even spreading it to my and the DS's). Now he does this and the rashes have been minimal. Good luck because poison ivy s*@ks!

 

[mkymsehi]

I have always sworn by Fels-Naptha laundry soap bar. It's usually where the detergent soaps are for washing clothes. Costs about $2 the last time I bought one. I washes away the oil, and relieves the skin already affected.

If it's really bad, get into your doctor, and get a prescription for Prednisone steroids.

Another one I heard was taking a cool bath in Epsom Salts.

There are a few poison oak/ivy products out there, but I've never tried it.