Needed: Your Best Poison Ivy advice

[HayGan]

It is that time of year again and those pesky 3 leaf demons are out in force as are us poor unsuspecting humans. I saw some in the park at our son's b-day party and I didn't go near it but of course the itching and the blisters are starting to come out.

So what are your best tips for getting rid of the nasty itching/scratching/oozing troublemakers (both on your skin and in your yard?)

 

[Laurajean1014]

bumping for this useful thread

 

[amid chaos]

We use a product usually found at a health food store call STING STOP. It is normally used for bug bites but we have found it works great on poison ivy. relieves the itch and dries up the rash.

 

[cyndibelle]

technu soap....my hubby got it bad and he used this stuff..you can get it at cvs drug stores...and it went away pretty fast..

 

[KirstenB]

I get a raging case every summer. Through experience, I immediately go to the dr and get prednisone. Nothing else combats poison ivy as quickly. For the yard, I use Roundup.

 

[HayGan]

Both sound better than the GASOLINE that my grandmother told me to pour on it

I've never really had any luck with the stuff made specifically for poison ivy. A friend just told me about taking a bath in baking soda/water so I'm going to try that.

 

[vettechick99]

Pee on it!

No wait, that's jellyfish stings...

 

[HayGan]

Pee on it!

No wait, that's jellyfish stings...

The legs aren't a problem but I'm not equiped to get the stuff on my stomach

 

[krissy3483]

A bath in Aveeno might help with the itch as well.

 

[Sleepy]

I get a raging case every summer. Through experience, I immediately go to the dr and get prednisone. Nothing else combats poison ivy as quickly..

I have problems with sumac. Believe me, I tried everything....even some home remedy a womans mother had. 9 days later and looking like a leprosy victim, I finally (insanely) ran to the doc for prednisone.

 

[vettechick99]

The legs aren't a problem but I'm not equiped to get the stuff on my stomach

But if you could, wouldn't THAT be talent!

 

[L107ANGEL]

Pee on it!

No wait, that's jellyfish stings...

 

[sue1013]

I just saw this on TV the other day of course after mine had started drying up. They said to soak a wash cloth in cold whole milk put the cloth on the affected area. Do not use skim milk the fat in the whole milk is supposed to help it. I'm going to try it next time.

 

[JerseyJanice]

The doctor at the clinic I work in prescribes Pepcid and Calamine lotion for poison ivy rashes.

Yes, Pepcid as in the heartburn medication. Not sure exactly how it works, but you would take it as prescribed (i.e., dosage amount and timing) on the package for heartburn.

Hope it heels quickly!

 

[HayGan]

The doctor at the clinic I work in prescribes Pepcid and Calamine lotion for poison ivy rashes.

Yes, Pepcid as in the heartburn medication. Not sure exactly how it works, but you would take it as prescribed (i.e., dosage amount and timing) on the package for heartburn.

Hope it heels quickly!

OK now Pepcid is definately one I haven't heard of before! Calamine lotion never works for me!

I picked up a boxof baking soda tonight so I'll see if it works! I've had to go the steroid route before but this time doesn't seem like it will be nearly as bad as previous bouts!

 

[lynxstch]

and the only thing that stops the itching and dries it up is a product called Ivarrest..you can get it at walmart for around $4

 

[OceanAnnie]

Ban-Aid makes an anti-itch gel. Great stuff!

Apply it and you will have immediate cooling relief. It's good for insect bites, poison ivy/oak/sumac & sunburn. I had the sumac recently for the first time. Even with the prednisone, it still itched. This stuff worked wonders for me. It was recommended to me by a pharmacist.

HTH!

 

[Laurajean1014]