how do you get rid of poision ivy?


Question:
we've already tried calmine lotion.

Answers:
Lanacane, lanacane, lanacane. Works great for the itch. Avalaiable over the counter at most chain drug stores. It also dries up the oozing (if you are unfortunate enough to be that allergic). Benedryl, calamine, and any other product is not as strong as Lanacane.

To really get rid of the ivy though, you need to take every piece of clothing that you wore when you were around the plant, and your sheets and blankets (oil is on those too now) wash it in the washing machine with a little extra soap.

Then take a COLD shower (or just wash the itchy parts in a sink) with Palmolive dish soap. As cold as you can stand. The soap is gentle on irritated skin (from personal experience), and the cold will keep your pores closed so you don't spread it. DO NOT use a spong or cloth. that will scratch the oil into your skin. If you take a warm shower, the oil will go into your open pores and you will get a rash all over. If you take a bath, the oil will just sit on your skin. Just pat yourself dry afterwards. Oatmeal baths only kind of work, and you will have to take a shower afterwards to wash off the oatmeal.

Poinson ivy is getting worse with global warming (ABC news two days ago). Good luck.

Other Answers:
I just got over a case of poison ivy..I used caladryl clear lotion. It took about two weeks but I applied it three times a day or when it would start to itch and mine is all gone. You may need to go to the Dr. and get a prescription strength medication if that doesn't work. Good luck.

Mostly be time and by not scratching. It will take a natural course of healing completely in a short number of weeks, but you can control some redness and itch with a steroid cream (eg hydrocortisone 1%). Be sure not to wash your body in warm-hot water because the oils from the poison ivy with spread from one area into many areas. Try to keep your body temperature low. Put calamine lotion on the affected area. Avoid rubbing your skin (hands off). It should go away in about a week if you don't go on aggravating it. You can also use a topical benadryl cream.




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