Poison Ivy Treatment and Cure
Finding a poison ivy cure when you are suffering from this rash is critical. Poison Ivy is incredibly itchy and uncomfortable and, in severe cases, may result in a life threatening medical situation.
There are many great home remedies and natural treatments that can offer relief from a poison ivy rash, but use care when looking for these treatments on the Internet, because there are a few myths about home remedies out there that can end up causing problems far worse than just a rash. One of these is bleach, and you should never use this product on your skin under any circumstances, or chemical burns may be added on top of the rash.
Calamine lotion is a trusted poison ivy cure, and this product costs pennies but is very effective in eliminating the itching even though you may walk around with pink skin during the treatment. A poison ivy rash is the result of the oils from the plant coming into contact with the skin and creating a burn on the surface layers. This will cause the skin to become irritated, blister up, and create an intense itching and burning in your skin. The top layers of skin will die off and peel away because of the contact with the oils, and it takes time for healthy skin to replace the damaged layers of skin. If you can, refrain from any heat related home treatments - like hot water or a drying the rash with a blow-dryer.
Diagnosing a Poison Ivy Rash
Most home treatments are relatively harmless should you diagnose yourself incorrectly. You should however try to make sure your rash is indeed from poison ivy before you start any self-medication. Remember; when in doubt contact your doctor or physician. Understanding where poison ivy grows is a first step to diagnosing your symptoms. The two maps below is a quick reference to the distribution patterns of the two most common forms of poison ivy found in the United States. Both the images below are curtesy of the United States Department of Agriculture. Follow the links for more information about State specific distribution. The treatment options for both Eastern and Western poison ivy are the same.
 |
 |
Poison Ivy Treatment
Poison ivy treatment does not have to be expensive or involve prescription medications in most cases. Poison ivy treatment combines methods to stop the itching and burning while helping new skin cells to replace the damaged ones. There are numerous natural home remedies said to stop the itching and dry up the skin so that the affected layers will fall off, leaving healthy unblemished new skin behind. These can include home remedies and more conventional treatment like cream to help with the swelling, rashes and itching. We'll touch on both here breifly, though you can find more about some of the more common treatments in our other articles.
Home Treatments Rumored To Help
Baking soda is a very effective home remedy that can stop the itching and burning while eliminating the damaged skin layers. Create a paste from equal parts of water and baking soda, then apply this paste to any skin that has a poison ivy rash. This is said to cool the burning and stop the itching sensation immediately. Our experience shows mixed results, it may be worthwhile to give it a try.
Don't Try This At Home
- No Bleach! - There are some treatments that are no longer used because of the dangers of damage to your skin, and bleach is the biggest one of these. Years ago, straight bleach was believed to be helpful when used on a poison ivy rash, because it removes dead and damaged skin and stopped the itching. Bleach, however, will cause damage to healthy skin, and is a harsh and caustic chemical that should never be used on your skin in any circumstances. There are other treatment methods that will give more effective relief without damaging the healthy skin underneath.
- Heat Treatments - Another no-no is also commonly used unfortunately. Some claim using hot water or hot air will help dry out the rash, and stop the itching and discomfort that poison ivy causes. Showering with hot water as hot as your unaffected skin can stand without burning is said to provide very effective relief, as is blowing warm air from a hairdryer on the rash in an attempt to also help to dry out any blisters. While it's true that drying out the rash is the quickest way to get rid of it, these methods aren't very effective nor are they a good idea to begin with.
Severe Poison Ivy Treatment
Anytime poison ivy is very severe, you should see your physician or go immediately to the closest emergency room facility. In rare cases an allergic reaction can develop that can be fatal if medical intervention is not received. If poison ivy is burned and the smoke is inhaled, damage to your lungs, sinuses, and other areas may cause complications very quickly, and these cases should also have medical treatment as fast as possible. Otherwise using lotions and treatments at home is the best option. If the rash is severe, be extremely careful not to use anything which can further irritate or damage the skin, so use caution when starting any treatment.