How to Treat Poison Ivy

To stop the itch for a while, use a hair dry on the area.

Yikes Bill. It's amazing how rude we can be to others in online forums. Like homeopathy or not, Pat's definition of homeopathy is correct, look it up. It's a practiced kind of "medicine" with a set definition that is not that same as a home remedy. But even if he was completely wrong, you don't have to berate him like that.

From Creighton University Medical Center
http://altmed.creighton.edu/Homeopathy/philosophical.htm
click on Dilutuion

try bleach water

my p i is really bad need help it started on the side of my stomach and stretched every were except for my face and the bottom of my leg i tried bleach water and calamine lotion any other things besides the things u said

agreed who said u knew

When the Red Cross sent us out to provide free first aid services, they put Calamine Lotion in the med-kits.
I asked them "Why only that?"
Their answer was that "Some people are allergic" to some of the stronger preparations. If you are treating others, please keep that in mind.
For me, the FIRST thing I do If I think I have been exposed is to thoroughly wash that area as soon as possible with a STRONG laundry soap (like those old brown lye-soap bars such as "Octagon.") --- I don't even know if you can get that brand anymore.)
The preparations I find to be helpful, and a bit stronger than "Caladryl" are, "Zeradryl", and "Ivy Dry." They are all drying agents.
You might want to consider "Benadryl," but check with your doctor first, as this is an antihistamine that you will be swallowing.
Something else to keep in mind if you don't want to get poison ivy in the first place:
1. Goats eat it with impunity. Don't go petting any goats where that stuff grows. ;)
2. For that matter, the oils from the plant can easily rub off onto the coat of your favorite pet.
3. Lastly, NEVER, NEVER use any dry vines as kindling to start your fires, and NEVER clear an area of poison ivy by trying to burn it! The oils in the plant that cause the rash ARE NOT destroyed by burning. The smoke from this plant can get in your eyes, in your mouth and nasal passages, and down into your lungs. If it gets into your airway, it could swell and close off! Even without that extreme reaction, it's probably "to the hospital" for you.

Pat, I don't know what source you got you definition or opinion of homeopathy from, but you clearly have no idea what you are talking about. Your useless comment shows a lack of understanding of natural and modern medicine alike. Just go get a steroid shot and let everyone use the method that works best for them.

Ya know something?? I don't care whether it's homeopathic or not, if this helps our family, who are in the throes of this evil nemesis, I applaud the writer!!!! :o)

My Grandmother use to dab bleach on poison ivy when we had it as kids... burned like heck and smelled too.. but in 3 days it was dried up....

I`m 60 and still use it... but now I`m so sensitive to where P.ivy is that when I think I brushed it and get that tell tale tingling itch --- the first thing I do is put cold water on it immediately to wash off the oil.... than soap and cold water... you never want to use warm cause that opens the pores on the skin and lets the oil in... If I should later break out with a rash --- I get out the good old Bleach/Chlorax... and dab it on... 3 days and it`s dried up....

but do the cold water first as soon as you touch it to eliminate the need for the bleach...

Poison Ivy --- Hate that stuff... .it`s like an alien life form out there trying to get us... LOL..

None of the things listed under homeopathic methods are homeopathic methods. They may be natural, or home remedies but not homeopathy.

I find it very strange that the writer of this article claims to be a physician, yet he doesn't know what a homeopathic treatment is. Homeopathic medicine is quackery in which a substance, thought to cure the symptoms, is diluted in water until it is virtually absent. This diluted water is the homeopathic medicine. None of the things listed under homeopathic methods in this article are homeopathic treatments. If you want to call them 'home remedies', or 'natural cures' fine, but don't confuse people about what homeopathy is.

The best way to cure it is with topical steriod creams or ointments. You can buy up to 1% hydrocortizone ointment (ointments are more effective than creams) over the counter, but you'll need to go to the doctor for a higher dose. Our doctor perscribed "Trac" cream or Triamcinolone Acetonide Cream for my kids and it has worked the best - we've also tried every cream under the sun! It clears up the itching right away and decreased the rash a lot in just a couple of days.

I found a cream that is tea trea oil and vitamin E. It really releaves the itch, and works a long time, however it is not a drying substance. If you want to get some sleep try that.

My son Matt is going to the Junior Olympics 7-30-11. He has poison ivy. Is there a remedy that is super fast, & inexpensive? He only has 6 days to heal. Please help! Thanks

It is also a good idea to wear scrubs when walking in the shrubs... They are lightweight so not so awfully hot in the summertime. This is what I usually do when picking berries... forgot to do it last week and ended up with a bad rash!! Duh.

Hey I am using every cream i can find & I have found that caladryl isn't cutting it I am blistering & itching like a mad woman. Thank you for the homeopathic remedies i'm about to try them all.

Scarlett

I have a hyper-sensitive issue too. I am also hyper-sensitive to a lot of the remedies for poison ivy. Try this stuff www.antiitchy.com
I spray it on before I go hiking....and then if I think I brushed up against some I spray it right away too. I think it destroys the urushiol oil if you spray it right away. It is the only thing I have found. I originally used it for my poison ivy rash after exposure and it was one of the only things I have found that works besides a cortisone shot. Good luck on avoiding the bubble life!
Chris

I have had poison ivy for a week now tried everything caladryl/damn near all the itch creams you can think of.This is what worked best for me.i clean it with rubbing alcohol and a cotton ball it will also help dry it out quicker.Benedryl at night and ivarest poison ivy itch relief you can buy it at walgreens.It was the only cream that worked for me has 3 active ingredients in it as to where others only have 1 or 2 it was only $6. when i took a bath it was in epsom salt.I would also use it 2 itch my skin stung just a little not bad at all. i also tried the bakeing soda an vinger made a paste and put it on my rash let it dry and wash it off . it only help the itch 4 about 2 hours..gd luck to anyone who has it

The best relief I have found is HOT.. not warm, but HOT HOT showers on the affected area.