How do you treat poison ivy rashes?

Answer 1

This advice is to be taken at your own risk.

Apply bleach (Chlorox) diluted with water (1:1 or less). This will dissolve and dry up the reaction. Start with a test area and apply carefully after scratching open the blisters.

The best cure is prevention. If you suspect exposure while doing yardwork, for example, never abrade or scratch your skin surface, and continually wash and rinse exposed skin areas as you work, even frequently changing your clothing if the exposure is intense.

Poison Ivy's allergic reaction is caused by the oil it secretes. Poison Ivy oil can lay dormant and viable for many years in both living and dead plant form. It should never be confused with the skin's release of reactionary fluids. The weeping of the skin is an allergic reaction and is not poisonous or contagious, however, the allergic ivy oils are invisible and pervasive. Exposed skin, clothing and bedding material should be thoroughly washed.

BTW: I have suffered severely from poison ivy Allergies in the past requiring steroid shots and was dubious, even appalled, at the suggestion of bleach and water. Never have I been more happily surprised in accepting advice. And since, and during, the clearing of the back half of my little square in the American Southeast, I have been pleasantly surprised at the effectiveness of the Chlorox "solution", but mainly at the value of understanding what poison ivy is and how it attacks the skin organ. After my initial horrendous exposure, I effectively used preventive measures which resulted in zero need for treatment. Constantly taking wash down rinses and clothing changes in a controlled and educated manner resulted in this success, with many thanks to the linked website. Education is the key.

(different user)

The bleach thing hurts when you do it but it is worth it. What hurts less is oat meal baths (my step mother tells me this really works too). If you don't like baths and you take showers then you can take this product and put it on the infected area and let it soak for a while.