Poison Ivy help! :(

[JESW]

Looks like I've done it again and gotten into some poison ivy or poison something. Yesterday my neck was itchy and this morning I have something all over the back of my neckf my neck..on my ears and some on my face. My right eye is a bit puffy...I am itchy!!!! What is you best otc remedyor anything else for this nasty stuff? I am using cali-dry and will be taking benadryl. Figures I have company coming today and I look like a puffy red monster..

Jill

 

[workinggal]

I think the benadryl and calimine are the best otc you can use for it. Of you can try Zanfel. If you can, go to the dr. and get a perscription for steroid cream. My DD got it all over her face last year and the cream got rid of it after the 2nd application. It was expensive but well worth it.

 

[miche61]

My youngest two are extremely sensitive to poison ivy. So much so that the last time DD got it, if we hadn't gotten her in when we did to the dr., we would have had to go to the ER. As it was, they gave her a shot of steroids right away, and then a prescription. It's hereditary that they both react so badly.

We have used a lotion -OTC- called Sarna. It helps to stop the itch. It's a little stinky though, but it seems to help. Benadryl, calamine, cool oat meal or Aveeno baths help a lot to reduce the itching. My DD also really enjoyed cucumbers on her eye lids- which had swelled so much she couldn't see.

Good luck, it's not the most fun thing.

 

[CEDmom]

I'm highly allergic to poison ivy and am still recovering from an exposure during July 4th weekend. My best advice since it's on your face is to go to a doctor.

I always need to go to my Dermotologist whenever I get it for a shot of cortisone and other medication. However, one thing he did tell me is people shouldn't fool around if it's on the face.

It can't spread on your body but it can take several days to breakout wherever you've come in contact with it. I don't want to scare you but if it's on part of your face your eyes, nose or mouth may have gotten the oils on them and may breakout. This is why doctors get concerned if people have it on their face.

The shot of cortisone stops the breakout and will last in your system for 3 weeks helping to prevent future breakouts.

 

[RAV]

This may sound strange but when my son had poison ivy last summer, a neighbor suggested putting egg whites on his legs. He found it very soothing. The egg whites are cold from being refrigerated and it also drys the rash out. While it wasn't a cure, it offered some much needed relief.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

I think if it was possibly affecting my eye, I would head to the doctor. You really shouldn't mess around with your eyesight.

Like CEDmom, my DH is very sensitive to poison ivy, when he gets it, he gets it bad. Last year he got it all over both arms, I won't gross you out with how it looked, but he was absolutely miserable. He finally went to the doctor, who gave him some meds and a shot of cortizone. It still took 2 weeks from start to finish to clear up...The doctor said it was one of the worse cases he had ever seen.

Hope you are better soon..

 

[lynxstch]

about $4 a tube..you put it on THICK..and let it dry..really takes care of the itching and dries it out..husband got poison ivy again this week for the third time this summer (why won't men put long pants on to trim the hedges when they KNOW there's poison in there?..lol!)....it's the only thing that's worked for me..tried everything else OTC..good luck!

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

How did miche61's post get on here with my sig?????This is too bizarre.....

MY post was going to say that if it is near your eye, you should get to the doctor pronto!! I wouldn't put any OTC medication near your eyes!!! Hope you feel better soon.

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

Go to the Dr. and get a cortizone shot. When I get poison ivy it always gets into my bloodstream and spreads from head to toe. Last time it took a month to get rid of it. I don't mess around with that stuff.