Poison Ivy Help

[MouseEarsJenny]

I just got over a vicious attack of poison ivy not that long ago. DH was in the hospital and I was trying to clean out the dead plants in one of our gardens in early spring before there were leaves. Turns out some of the dead plants were poison ivy. I swelled up like a balloon, itched ALL over, ended up with a rash over 50% of my body and finally had to go on a three week steroid taper (which was HORRIBLE because I'm LOUSY at taking pills and if you miss a dose it can bring the rash back WORSE).

Last year, when I went to Disney, I had a pretty bad case as well. So here we are, less than two weeks until Disney. I still have scars from my last exposure. And I have a fresh new breakout on my arm. Where the heck did I get that, I wonder? Turns out, DH used my crocs to clean out more underbrush, and when I picked them up from where he left them on the kitchen floor, I must have gotten some of the oils on my skin. (In fairness, he also managed to get poison ivy from that - why would you use shoes with holes to clean out where there might be poison ivy??)

Anyway, when I saw the doctor last time, he told me that itching in places without a rash can make your skin produce histamines in that area and spread the rash. So I'm really REALLY trying not to itch. But what else can I do to clear up this breakout before Disney? I do NOT want to be itchy all vacation again!!!

Oh, help!

 

[Sparx]

Calamine lotion and antihistamines are the only thing that work for me when I get into poison ivy.

This may be something to consider though, I'm incredibly allergic to poison ivy. Like, within hours of touching it, my entire body is completely covered. In some people, extreme poison ivy allergies can beget mango allergies. Poison ivy and Mango are from the same Order (maybe? I can't remember, but they're related closely) and the oils of the mango are very similar to poison ivy to those who are very sensitive. If you're having extreme reactions to Poison Ivy, it might be a good idea to steer clear of mangos.

 

[TiggerTails57]

I sure you have tried all kinds of creams and lotions.......I like to put a cup of (dry raw) oatmeal in a clean sock, and take it into a cool bath then squeeze and dab on the hot spots it's very soothing.
Hope you feel better very soon.

 

[MouseEarsJenny]

Calamine lotion and antihistamines are the only thing that work for me when I get into poison ivy.

This may be something to consider though, I'm incredibly allergic to poison ivy. Like, within hours of touching it, my entire body is completely covered. In some people, extreme poison ivy allergies can beget mango allergies. Poison ivy and Mango are from the same Order (maybe? I can't remember, but they're related closely) and the oils of the mango are very similar to poison ivy to those who are very sensitive. If you're having extreme reactions to Poison Ivy, it might be a good idea to steer clear of mangos.

I have some Ivarest on it right now - that's calamine + antihistamine but it keeps flaking off. I didn't know the mango thing, though - I'll try to avoid them in the future. Wonder if that means no mango pie at Yak and Yeti?

 

[MouseEarsJenny]

I sure you have tried all kinds of creams and lotions.......I like to put a cup of (dry raw) oatmeal in a clean sock, and take it into a cool bath then squeeze and dab on the hot spots it's very soothing.
Hope you feel better very soon.

Thanks - I'll pick up some oatmeal in the morning and give that a try.

 

[dis-happy]

There's only one thing that works: Zanfel. Buy it OTC at the pharmacy. Best money you'll ever spend.

 

[TheBigBadWolf]

A friend of mine, who is a pharmacist, told me to use Cimetidine (Tagamet) and Benadryl for poison ivy. He said they should cure it within a day or two, max. He says using the combination is far more effective than using steroid packs. Cimetedine is an H2 histamine blocker, and Benadryl is an H1 blocker, and used together they give more relief because they affect different parts of your allergy-response system. I personally have never had poison ivy, but friends I've told of this treatment say they get relief fast.

 

[S. C.]

There's only one thing that works: Zanfel. Buy it OTC at the pharmacy. Best money you'll ever spend.

 

[laughinplace199]

I just got over my first (and hopefully last) case of poison ivy. For the first couple of days, I tried Ivarest, Caladryl, and a few other lotions. They didn't work. I then went to the doctor and she prescribed a steroid cream to use 2x/day. She said that , in addition to the cream, I should take Claritin during the day and Benadryl at night. She also suggested using cold compresses (made with Domesboro solution) and Calamine lotion. This did the trick for me.

Good luck! Poison ivy stinks.

 

[barneynshorty]

Zanfel. It is awesome.

Walgreens has a cheaper generic form as well.

 

[tiggger1]

just go get a steroid shot!!!

 

[onyx8]

I swear by Tecnu - you can get it at any drugstore. Good luck!

 

[Mkrop]

There's only one thing that works: Zanfel. Buy it OTC at the pharmacy. Best money you'll ever spend.

This is the stuff to get. It washes away the oils. Dh is always getting poison ivy and this is what he sues. It is expensive so if there is a generic version try that but it is worth every penny. The only way he got any relief.

 

[TTFN]

It sounds like you are highly allergic, as am I. I have found a local compounding pharmacy that has a poison ivy preventative. It works kind of like allergy shots, giving you a small dosage of the allergen to help build resistance. I put 15 drops in a glass of water and drink it once a week. I have had only one major breakout (to me, that means a doctor visit) in the 5 years I've been taking it. (I failed to buy a new bottle of the stuff that spring; that won't happen again! ) I even fell in a large patch of it, and ended up with 5 blisters in a row that never spread at all. All this won't help with the case you have now, but for future prevention....

 

[JessicaR]

There's only one thing that works: Zanfel. Buy it OTC at the pharmacy. Best money you'll ever spend.

This is the stuff! Doesnt just stop the itch (which it does VERY well) but it also dries it out and promotes quicker healing!

 

[D L and K's Mom]

I read that Dawn dish soap...yup DAWN is great for posion ivy. I read it breaks up the oil and it helps to clear it. I have not tried this but it makes sense as they use it to wash animals that have been in oil spills....can't hurt and it is cheap.

 

[torinsmom]

I am severely allergic as well. I can just look at the stuff and get it, or so it seems. My doctor says mine goes systemic and just travels through the bloodstream. One thing that works for mine is a prescription steroid cream called Elocon. It seems to stop the rash in its tracks. For the itching, Gold Bond cream works best for me. When all else fails, I get the steroid taper.

 

[Planogirl]

Soaking in Aveeno helped me when I got into some poison oak. And tell your DH to leave your shoes alone!

 

[MouseEarsJenny]

LOL on telling DH to leave my shoes alone! That part, I already did!

I couldn't find Zanfel at my local pharmacy, but the website says they have some at a Wegman's across town. I'll pick some up when I'm over there tomorrow.

I would go get a steroid shot, but last time my doctor gave me the three week pill taper and I really don't want to try and keep track of that at Disney. She doesn't take well to me telling her what to prescribe.

I'll look into the poison ivy preventative... and into some landscaping work. Professionals should know how to get rid of this stuff, right?

I did get a cream along with the pills last time that definitely worked wonders on the itching. I can see if my doc will prescribe that without the taper. And I have some allergy medications for my seasonal allergies like Claritin and Benadryl, so I can give that a try too. And the Dawn dish soap.

ANYTHING to keep from itching like a maniac on my next Disney vacation! Good news is, the rash hasn't spread too much, yet. Just on my arms and a few bumps here and there.

Thanks all. ONE of these remedies HAS to work!

 

[dis-happy]

CVS carries Zanfel, as well as Wal-Mart. I wouldn't wait if you can get it tonight....usually poison ivy keeps getting worse before it gets better (my first outbreak lasted 3 weeks from begining to end). Good luck!