Poison ivy treatment

How do I get rid of poison ivy when it is in and around my eyes?
(27 Jun 2008)

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If you are out on a romp in the woods, you definitely want to stay away from poison ivy. If you’ve already had a run in with poison ivy, you probably have experienced the rashes that it leaves behind.

Also known as toxicodendron diversilobum, poison ivy is one of the most common causes of allergies.

Poison ivy can cause blisters which are itchy and cause rashes. Usually, when you get poison ivy on any exposed part of your body, you may feel redness, blisters, swelling, and eventually, severe itching.

Poison ivy contains a sap which contains an oil known as urushiol.

This oil is a pale liquid that changes color and becomes dark on exposure to air. If you come in direct contact with the sap, you can develop itchy rashes.

To cure a poison ivy rash, rub alcohol on the area that is affected. After rubbing alcohol, rinse it thoroughly and then wash it with soap. Doing this generally gets rid of the histamine that causes the itching and the burning. If this does not help, get yourself some table salt and rub it on the affected area. This will help contain the rash and provide immediate relief.

Another way to relieve the soreness from poison ivy is to take the peel off a banana and rub the inner side of it on the rash. You could also try soaking some oats in warm water and then treating the infected area with the solution. Soak your skin with the solution and keep rubbing it simultaneously. Applying the juice of aloe vera on the infected area can soothe and provide instant relief from the pain.

If your profession or activities keep taking you to the woods or places where poison ivy is in abundance, it would be a good idea to take preventive measures and boost up your immunity so that poison ivy doesn’t really affect you. For starters, be wary of poison ivy leaves. Poison ivy leaves are easily identifiable. They consist of three leaflets that have very dense hair. The leaves have several distinct lobes and therefore can be identified easily.

Increase your immunity against poison ivy by taking lots of vitamin C every day. Couple it with bioflavonoid and it will not only heal inflammation, but also prevent the rashes from spreading. Daily intake of beta-carotene and calcium helps boost immunity and makes the rashes heal much faster.

answered by G M on 22 Sep 2009, 7:14:10

Poison Ivy Home Cures

Poison ivy is probably the best known of several plants that produce an oily substance called urushiol, which is what causes the nasty reaction many people have experienced on contact with the plant. The reaction is not immediate, so if you are not able to recognize the plant on sight, you won't know you have touched it till the rash starts to break out approximately 24 hours later. This is problematic because the most effective way to reduce the severity of the reaction is to wash the exposed areas with soap and water. This removes at least some of the oil from the skin.

By now it is probably too late for you to wash the oil off, if you have not already done so. After the rash appears, it is impossible to get rid of it using any home remedy, although several are claimed to work. Ice is useful in soothing the burning and itching sensation, but will not stop the reaction itself.

For this reason, it is best to visit a doctor if the face is affected by poison ivy. Reactions can be very severe and often tend to build up over the days following the exposure. For sensitive areas, it is best to rely on prescribed medication such as antihistamines to control the reaction.

answered by G R on 27 Jun 2008, 5:47:53

Poison ivy treatment

How do I get rid of poison ivy when it is in and around my eyes? (27 Jun 2008)

How do I get rid of poison ivy when it is in and around my eyes?
(27 Jun 2008)