Poison Ivy Relief

[seapea]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Best I have found is Technu. Wash with it after exposure. Wash with it as the poison ivy/oak rash heals.

Also, Technu and Avon both make pre-exposure creams that seem to work. )</font>

I'll second the Technu and Prednisone advice. Years back (before kids and I could rid my bike 10 hours a week), I used to race mountain bikes. During one race, I brushed up against poison oak a few times. The next day we left for vacation, and a day later the reactions started. I got one of the prescribed steroid creams and didn't like the results, but suffered through it. Some time later I got exposed again during a another race. This time I got prednisone and was very happy with it. At that pointed I discovered Technu. I put the pre-exposure cream on before the races (it creates a protective barrier), and then washed up with the soap afterwords (it neutralizes the oils). I never had a reaction again even though I know I brushed up against poison oak a number of times.

 

[RedRocker]

Poison Oak loves me and I have 16 acers of it. I've had pretty good luck with Ivy-Stat, I think it's made by Technu. I really need to try the pre-exposure cream, it's a week or two ordeal everytime I get this stuff. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[meledward23]

I love this stuff called IVY STAT. It is a two part treatment from the isle shelf. A sandy soap that feels awesome to rub, and the soap takes the oils out while the sand is relief!!!! Rinse, and then apply the lotion. Needless to say I run through the sandy soap faster than the lotion. Seems to work better than anything else that I have tried besides drugs. Which really did a number on me when I tried them. (stomach issues with whatever perscription it was (dating 10 yrs. back)).

 

[bczoom]

I'll throw in the 3rd or 4th vote for the Technu products. They work very well.

 

[DrRod]

Theres an ointment in a tube called DriCort. Its regular hydrocortizone stuff with one real advantage. As you rub it on it goes powder dry -- its just plain magic. So you can put it on and not stick to your sleeves, not feel hot and gooey, not rub it off on the table cloth or steering wheel. And it really works. It's a miracle.

 

[Alan L.]

Funny this subject should come up. I had poison ivy once before, on my lower leg. This time, the only thing I can remember doing is getting itchy picking okra. But I also put in water lines and I might have run one into some ivy. I am coming up on 23 days or so and seem to just be getting over it.

Anyway, my right arm broke out in burn spots and streaks. After a couple of days I paid $14 for some Tecnu scrub but it didn't work at all since I think I was too late for it to do any good.

I had some Benedryl spray that sort of put a clear skin over the rash and made it quit itching so that I could sleep. During the day I used Caladryl, but at night the dryness of it bothered me.

I used 1% hydrocortisone cream early, then after I tried just about everthing else, such as Ivy Dry which also puts a skin over the rash (has zink acetate I think) I came back to the cortisone cream, this time one with aloe and some other stuff in it. The pharmacist suggested I mix the cortisone cream with the Benedryl cream which I did.

I have a sack of various ointments that I have been carrying back and forth to work.

Some of it gave some relief, but none of it seemingly made the rash better. Sometimes it would calm down and not be as red and raised, then it would fire up again. I really didn't think it was getting better.

So I stopped putting anything on it at all. It started getting better. I still put a little hydrocortisone cream on it, but mostly nothing. I also have been taking my prescribed Zirtec every day, which seemed to help some.

My arm now is much improved, but now my left arm itches. It has bumps that don't really look the same. I also have some pretty bad itching and some bumps around my knees and some on my abdomen and back. Just sort of aggrivating but not that serious. I don't know how to say this, but I have had some itching where the sun don't shine as well. Seems a little better today.

The poison ivy is bad stuff. My wife badgered me to go see the doc, but I figured he would give me a cortisone shot and prednisone. I have had to take that stuff for bad allergy attacks and wanted to avoid the long term effects (such as destroying my hips) even though I never really had any noticeable side effects from it.

She sprained her ankle and cracked the small bone just below her knee when she fell in the watermelon patch. The doc put a boot on her and she was supposed to wear the boot and stay off the leg for a month. She dumped the crutches in 2 days and the boot in another 2 days. So I bring this up when she presses me to go to the doc for my rash.

After I had used the Benedryl cream I then read on the internet that it can cause a reaction itself, so I stopped using it. But it remains in my bag of tricks, just in case.

I don't wish this stuff on anyone.

 

[RobS]

Lots of good advice, I'll just add my favorite site on my least favorite topic /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Poison Ivy

 

[RedRocker]

I just came back from four days at our property, brought my usual dose of poison oak home. Sheesh!!! No matter how careful I am or how much Ivy Stat I scrub with at nite, I end up with that crap. I won't even get in to the chiggers, LOL.

 

[NewToy]

Go with the "Tecnu", this as stated is a pre-emptive measure as it will rinse all the "venom" off. Excellent stuff! If you already have it go with the Benadryl. I speak from experience. I was in Europe a few years ago and didn't notice any poison ivy, was told they don't have it there. I almost thought of relocating.

John

 

[anthonyk]

speaking of chiggers.... what can I do about them???
I seem to be immune to poison ivy or oak (don't hate me /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif)
But, those chiggers seem to make up for it.
I've tried deep woods off, etc, but seems like every time I do brushwork, I end up with those little &*%#!!s around my waist and ankles. I've tried chigger aid, but I still scratch till I bleed.
Any suggestions????

anthony