What are treatments for poison ivy?

Answer 1

The rash associated with poison ivy in humans is actually due to an allergic reaction, and not all humans are allergic to it. For the most part, dogs do not develop allergic reactions to poison ivy.

However, if your dog does have a reaction to poison ivy, your best option is to give him/her a bath in warm soapy water with dog-safe shampoo to get the oil from the plant off him/her. For long-haired dogs, trimming the hair on and around the affected area also helps. After this, just keep an eye on the rash and try to keep your dog from scratching it bloody. If you do see blood around the rash, or the skin becomes progressively worse in appearance, take your dog to the vet for examination and treatment.

Answer 2

poison ivy asnwerMany think that once you have a rash from poison ivy/oak/sumac, you are contagious until it's gone, spreading it around on yourself and to others. However, the rash is a contact dermatitis, which only produces a rash when the body is in direct contact with the allergen (in this case the oil of the plants, urushiol). Once you've washed thoroughly and rid contact with contaminated clothings/towels/sheets there are no oils remaining on your skin.

Moreover, any further rashes that appear are in fact not "new" rashes from touching another rash, rather they are late-showing rashes, which originated from the initial contact with the plant. Simply put, you aren't contagious to yourself or others once you've distanced yourself from the source of contamination even if you blister or ooze (there is no urushiol leaking out of your skin).

Now to the important informations....treating that awful rash. The answer is focused on two areas:

The Itch: calamine lotion, anti-itch cream (topical antihistamine) and/or benadryl (oral antihistamine)

The Rash: hydrocortisone (topical anti-inflammatory)

Now, if you find that these rashes are causing massive swelling (especially in important areas like the mouth, nose, eyes, or genitals) you need to seek medical help so it doesn't compromise important functions (breathing, seeing, urinating)...this may be all due to a hyperactive reaction to the urushiol. Then you may be using systemic corticosteroids to reduce inflammation.

Otherwise, this can all be treated at home and will take time to heal this terribly annoying rash!

Answer 3

Dogs don't react to the urushiol oil in poison ivy [Toxicodendron radicans]. So they may have the oil on their bodies without showing any discomfort. But that very oil may provoke a strong allergic reaction in any human who comes into contact with the dog.

Answer 4

To treat poison ivy clean the area with rubbing alcohol then wash with water. Do not use soap because that will make the rash worse. It is also appropriate to wash all the items you were wearing durring the exposure to make sure you are not re-exposed.