What is the best treatment for poison ivy?

Answer 1

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 2

Boil the plant: touch me nots - stems, leaves and flowers in some water for about an hour until the water is fairly dark. Strain the water and cool. Dab on poison ivy regularly. It stops the itching, and helps dry it up quickly and thus helps it clear up sooner than just waiting on it or using calamine lotion. It works, the first time I had poison ivy - my husband did this and within the week it was gone.

touch me nots - orangy flowers that when you touch when walking in bush just jump off plant near seed producing time -

Answer 3

Usually you would have to go to the doctor and they will give you steroids. That's what I did the first time I got poison ivy. But the last time I got it, I put aloe vera gel on it and it went away just as quickly if not quicker. Lather it on two or three times a day, whenever you start to get very itchy. Of course, you should try not to scratch as much as you possibly can!

Answer 4

1.alchohol the rash constantly

2. there's a cream called zanfex, it the most effective medicine in removing poison Ivy and i highly recommend it

3.you could hold a hair dryer over it on full blast for 20 min every once in a while and that will dry it out and get rid of the oil

4.theres also a spray called ivy dry that helps dry out the rash

5.use calamine lotion to prevent spreading

6.cut your fingernails as short as you can so you wont scratch it and bust it open

7.wash your hands constantly so you don't spread it even more

8.bandage it while you're sleeping so the oil doesn't get on you're bed sheets or spread around your body but take the bandage off when you wake up so the rash stays dry.

Answer 5

First, I would like to say hello. Okay, my dad is a skin doctor and has told me that taking a cold shower and then rubbing ice over the infected area should get rid of it in three to six days. A week at the most. And that is it. If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me at imthemuffinmann@Yahoo.com.

Answer 6

The best treatment for poison ivy is to wash the affected area with soap and water to remove the plant's oils, apply cold compresses or calamine lotion to ease itching, and take antihistamines to reduce swelling. In severe cases, a doctor may prescribe corticosteroid medications.

Answer 7

Round-up 2% Weed Killer, apply 3 times with two weeks intervals