Poison Ivy

So have you had it this year? Just curious. I just got it. I consider myself a "woodsman" to some degree. The last time I had the "itch" was nearly 10 years ago. What do you do to treat it?

I've already made use of the Cortizone Lotion.

To my beleif I came in contact with poison ivy 4 days before it started showing any signs (irritable itching). I don't react as badly as others do. Unfortunately one of my coworkers couldn't come to work today because he had the "itch" so bad.

Ivarest does the job for me.

I haven't had poison ivy yet this year. I just sprayed between our neighbor's property and our's. I had a mild case once about three year's ago and it drove me crazy. My Grandpa use to get it from working with wood and cutting down tree's in the forest.

Originally Posted by Watusi

Ivarest does the job for me.

That is what I used and it worked wonder's

Calamine or Calhadryl(sp?) lotion, seems to help dry up and eliminate, the spreading.

Funny how I was just thinking of starting a thread on this. I think I may have it, too, though I don't remember coming in contact with any three leaved vines in the past couple of days. I have been doing a lot of gardening and weeding work.

Does anyone know what poison sumac looks like?

This ivarest - I am assuming I can find it right along with the Caladryl (that my face is now drenched in)?

Originally Posted by Watusi

Ivarest does the job for me.

This stuff is great, I also use bleach to dry it out. I know it sounds harsh but it does work.

I have it right now too.

Had it one time, thought it was syphilis....

















































Just kidding, Havent had it in years, and by years I mean like 15 (poison oak, ivy, summac etc, just thought I'd clarify )

22 and I've never had it. Thought I got it a few weeks ago playing disc golf. Turns out it wasn't, just some pesky bugs knawing away at me as I played. So I can't help, but good luck with it. I keep on fearing that one day I'll suddenly be allergic to it and mad that I didn't know it til it's too late.

Clorox bleach and a hair dryer. Dab the clorox on each spot a couple of times a day. When it starts to itch if your at home us a hair dryer first then bleach.

Originally Posted by Watusi

Ivarest does the job for me.

Thats what I used also, I tried many of things and that works from the get go...

I've never had it.

My mom gets it pretty bad every summer. She says that soaking in their hot tub clears it up.

I use Ivarest. It seems to get the job done! It doesn't really bother me bad though!

I have it worse on my face. I bought the Ivarest today and am using it...good stuff, so far!

My father-in-law told me about Coleman latern fuel. Now this should be done in a well ventilated area. Pour the latern fuel over the affected area and let dry. I usually get it and it spreads like wildfire. But this has dried it out and stopped it from spreading.

My wife is not as affected by poison ivy and Ivarest works for her.

I am very allergic to it. If I get a little bit on me it will spread like wildfire and will stay for a while. I am not a fan of poison ivy.

Scratch and Bleach... Burns like crazy, but dries it up...Also as MsKitty said, sitting in a hot tub for a while usually will do the trick too.

Band-Aid makes a gel called, well, Band-Aid Anti-Itch gel. I love that stuff. It really works.

Originally Posted by MsKitty

I've never had it.

My mom gets it pretty bad every summer. She says that soaking in their hot tub clears it up.

Not downing your mother or anything, but this is what I've heard not to do. The poison ivy releases an oil (urushiol). Urushiol "creeps" through the dermis and into the epidermis of your skin. This is what causes the itching. It is lighter than water, so therefore it sits on the top layer of water while you are soaking. When you get out of the water the urushiol can reattach itself and even spread to different areas when you soak. Just warning you of what I have researched.

However, I also read that swimming in pool for 3-4 hours will clear the poison ivy up. The chlorine in the pool has a disinfecting effect.

Today I got some great stuff called Cortaid. Expensive stuff but it has been a blessing, truely. It's working like, well; a CHARM .