Poison Ivy Treatment and Cure
Poison Ivy and Poison Oak plants are natures "Mimics" - that's one of the reasons that so many people inadvertently touch or come in contact with the plants without even realizing it. They often look completely harmless, because these plants tend to mimic other plants in their vicinity. If they are growing near tall shrubs - they can look like a tall shrub - if they are growing in an open area, they will lie low and can look like a harmless small weed. The itchy rash and blisters that follow are no joking matter. The effects can range from an uncomfortable small patch or two on your skin to an all over rash with blisters swelling and an allergic reaction that may require a trip to the emergency room for a shot of corticosteriods. Of course we want to avoid this and so - in the heat of the summer we should all keep our eyes open to avoid the pesky plants in the first place. To prevent poison ivy - try and be more aware of your surroundings - you can apply an over-the-counter wipe or spray that is designed to block the ivy's oils from your skin. But this is sketchy, because when you sweat, you tend to wipe it back off again. When outdoors wearing long sleeves and even gloves, will prevent the oils from touching your skin. Eating locally harvested honey is something that many people swear by. Locally grown honey will contain pollen from all sorts of local flowers, clover, as well as poison ivy. Ingesting this may help your body to build an immunity to the local flora and may help lessen the symptoms of poison ivy when you do come in contact with it.
If you think you were exposed to poison ivy - immediately clean the areas with alcohol very thoroughly. Then rinse well with plain water. Afterward take a long warm shower and THEN soap up. If you use soap before you rinse the alcohol, you can spread the oils over your skins surface. Be sure to clean everything you were wearing or using at the time you came in contact with the poison ivy or poison oak or poison sumac - or you will expose yourself again next time you use your weed eater or lawnmower, rake, etc... You can find an oatmeal bath at most all drugstores that will be very helpful. If you want relief NOW and don't have the oatmeal bath handy - you can add 3/4 cup of baking soda to tepid (room temperature) ! not regular temperature bath water ! and soak in that for about a half an hour. Some people say that brewing up a big batch of regular tea and then adding that to the bath has a wonderful soothing effect. Another good paste that you can apply to the affected area - use a packet of instant oats or whatever type of oats you have around the house - prepare the oatmeal then stir in baking soda to make a paste - spread it on the affected area while still warm (not hot) you can then wrap the area with Saran Wrap to keep the warmth in OR a light layer of gauze. If you wrap with gauze - after it drys do not try and pull off ! You can take a mildly warm shower and then it will loosen itself. Another way to do this poison ivy treatment is to make up the paste above - spread it on - let it dry and then shower it off. Some people use a vinegar and baking soda paste for poison ivy treatment. When you mix the two they have a reaction, since one is akaline and one is acidic - lots of bubbling will occur. I have a young relative that uses this paste and scrubs it in with a washcloth - he says that it hurts - but it does the trick for him. After he scrubs the area with this paste, he takes a mildly warm shower and applies 'Calamine lotion.' The above is only for the most brave of you out there - I prefer the more conservative approaches! These are poison ivy treatments to use at home. When off to work or the office - an over-the-counter product like 'Calamine lotion' - 'Caladryl' lotion - and some folks swear by the diaper ointment - 'Desitin' cream. Many take the over-the-counter antihistamine 'Benedryl'. However, keep in mind, this product can have a profound effect. It can make you relaxed and sleepy in the extreme - so do not operate machinery or drive if you use it. Keep cool whenever you can after the rash appears - hot humid weather seems to intensify the itch factor. Those of you who work outdoors can help yourself cool off by keeping well hydrated with pure water and try a cloth dipped in water and wrapped around the neck. Rinse off the affected area when you can and re-apply your poison ivy treatment and when you get home you can take a warm shower to rinse the dirt and sweat of the day away and then soak in the bath as we explained above.
We hope this will help you with some ideas to lessen the itching and begin the healing process - poison ivy is no laughing matter. But, with a little ingenuity and these natural poison ivy treatments - we hope you will be feeling better quickly.
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