Poison Ivy cure?

[nforktractor]

Growing up, my Mom would take a bar of Lava Soap, make a little paste with it and spread that on the poison ivy, let it dry and it kind of choked off the oxygen, would eliminate the itch and would dry up the poison ivy, other remedies are probably better but in a pinch it helps.

 

[MossRoad]

I get a pretty bad reaction to Poison Ivy. I use one of the scrubs (can't remember off hand) which are only designed to remove the urushiol , the oil that it leaves on you, then I use calamine lotion to stop itching. Before I used the scrubs I'd go to bed with it just on my forearms, then the next day or two it would be all over my chest and stomach from where I'd be laying at night.
Couple of years ago, working on the treeline, I needed a pee. I think you know where I'm going with this! Next couple of days I swelled up so bad I had to go to urgent care. Doctor said she didn't need to see it (thank heavens for small mercies!) and gave me a steroid that got the swelling down within hours, I've never been so happy to pay a medical bill!

Reminds me of the 'if it lasts longer than 4 hours, see a doctor' commercials.

 

[MossRoad]

My wife just got over a case of poison ivy this week. She was weeding some flower beds a couple weeks ago and the next day it was all over her arms. We've had the discussion about leaflets three let it be many times. She just gets in there and pulls everything that she doesn't want in there.

I've showed her and our kids the difference between poison ivy (3 leaves) and Virginia creeper (5 leaves) and how they can be together in the same patch. Always suspect 3 leaves as poison ivy.... then try to get them to pick raspberries!

My father was never allergic to it until his 70s. Then he got a massive case of it. Dr said it was systemic reaction that traveled through his bloodstream, causing rash and swelling all over his body. Just awful. He was very cautious after that.

If I'm around it while doing yard/woods work, I always take my clothes off at the washing machine, drop them in and start it up, then head immediately to the shower for a good scrub down. But if I'm out on a walk in the woods, I'm pretty good at spotting it and don't concern myself.

 

[ultrarunner]

Systemic is often my experience :-(

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

Wash immediately, just carry water & soap with you. I'm highly allergic but have pulled ivy, wash immediately & never got it.
Jewel Weed if you do get it. It's found wherever there's water, creeks & ponds. We boil it down to like dark tea, store in refrigerator. Apply with soaked paper towel.
"Jewelweed is a natural remedy used to treat and prevent poison ivy rashes. It is believed to be effective due to its saponins, which have antifungal and antimicrobial properties. Jewelweed can be used as a preventative measure before exposure or as a treatment after exposure to poison ivy."

 

[MossRoad]

Systemic is often my experience :-(

Sorry for you. That's awful.

When I get it, it's usually just a few bumps in a small area. I've had it many times as a kid, but as an adult, maybe only 3-4 times, and it's usually just on the top of my index and middle fingers. I'm pretty religious about using gloves and washing up after yardwork.

 

[JasperFrank]

Different days we live in. At one time growing up in Maryland, we kids would make our own sarsaparilla tea to drink. Later in life, I was a kid's day camp counselor. And one of the activities I set up was to collect and make sasaprilla tea. So I showed these children what the leaves of this plant looked like, and let them collect the roots. Which they did with great enthusiasm. We made a huge vat of root tea doused with sugar, and they all got quart sized jars of it to take home.

 

[kenmbz]

Different days we live in. At one time growing up in Maryland, we kids would make our own sarsaparilla tea to drink. Later in life, I was a kid's day camp counselor. And one of the activities I set up was to collect and make sasaprilla tea. So I showed these children what the leaves of this plant looked like, and let them collect the roots. Which they did with great enthusiasm. We made a huge vat of root tea doused with sugar, and they all got quart sized jars of it to take home.

I have quite a few sassafras trees here, haven't made tea yet though

 

[ponytug]

I have quite a few sassafras trees here, haven't made tea yet though

Love the sassafras tree smell, regardless.

 

[dodge man]

I have also used the hot shower technique to stop the itch, it does help.