Cures And Remedies For Poison ivy
Number of Articles: 30
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Pain or time
Terry in Gaston SC -
If you can stand the burn, spray the affected area with aerosol lysol brand disinfectant, it kills the infection immediately, and has dried up poison oak over night for me, if you dont want to take the quick route, then there is a plant that grows wild, called planton, most people try to kill it in their lawns, but it is also an almost immediate cure but it takes a day or so, just crush the entire plant and rub it on the affected area, and in no time the oils from the planton will counter act the oils from poison oak/ivy
Dec 12, 2007
34 Yes
3 No
sweet fern leaves
Harry in Maine -have used this method I learned from my grandmother for about 60 years. Boil the leaves of the sweet fern plant till it looks like strong tea and just apply the liguid to the affected areas a few times a day. completly gone in 2 or less days.
Oct 13, 2007
6 Yes
2 No
The Hairdryer Method
Shelly in PA -I get poison ivy every summer and most of the time I get a HUGE systemic response. Ther is really nothing that cures it, but treating the itch is the plus! I tried every cream, soak, spray, etc. to stop the itch. I end up going on Prednisone but the itch drives me crazy. The one thing that stopped it for me was using a hairdryer (on the highest heat setting, without burning yourself) and blow it directly on the site. You will feel an initial pain followed by instant relief. It keeps the itching stopped for quite a while. Be careful not to burn your skin!
Jul 27, 2007
16 Yes
1 No
Quick Poison Ivy Remedy
Donna Franklin-McChesney in Kansas City, Missouri -Believe it or not, but cow manure spread on poison ivy not only relieves the itch, but pulls the poison out almost immediately.
I visited my grandparents every summer in Missouri and every visit, got a good dose of poison ivy. My grandma would spread a fresh cowpatty on the spot, let it dry and then gently wash the area with soap and water. After 2-3 days of this treatment every morning and nite, I was a new person again!
Jul 26, 2007
2 Yes
2 No
Aloe vera
Laurine in Virginia Beach, VA -I just got my worst case of poison ivy yet. Although, I know some people have gotten much worse. I washed the area within a few hours (not knowing I had it until it started itching). The next day I got some Aloe gel (Clear not colored) and applied it liberally. I also took some antihistamine to lessen my reaction, and Ibuprofen because itching/pain are the same thing to your brain. The aloe provides a protective layer and seems to keep the blistering down. I was camping at time and the weather was so hot! Everytime it started itching I washed the area in cold water, dryed it really well then applied the aloe. This cure saved me! When I got home I used leaves from the plant, cutting the branches open and applying the gel, even better than the bottled stuff. It works great on burns too!
Jul 09, 2007
3 Yes
0 No
No cure, Prevention
KM in NH -
Poison Ivy makes you itch because you're having an allergic reaction to the oil it leaves on your skin. I got covered in it two years in a row, suffered terribly, then learned all I could about it.
Now, if I'm exposed, I wash very well, immediately, and take an antihistamine ASAP. If you can scrub it off in under 15 minutes, it will usually not be a problem to you. Take the antihistamine regardless (to prevent the allergic reaction), and throw all your clothes in the wash (and the washcloth).
The oil can get on your clothes, your dog, shoes, etc, so be careful about spreading it, and wash everything that came in contact with the plant.
I got so bad the first time, I eventually had to go to the Dr, too. I got the shots, and prescription meds, etc, but it took weeks to stop the itching.
Now I keep store brand cortisone cream on hand, and apply it as needed. (It's actually got higher content of the medicine than the prescription stuff the Dr. gave me, and it works better.)
Washing up fast (and thoroughly) works the best, and now that I know it's not contagious (after you wash it off), everyone is a lot less freaked out, and I haven't had much of a problem since.
Learn to ID the plants (Vines with Leaves of 5 or 3 - leave em be!), wash well and fast, and take the Antihistamine. Good luck.
Jul 07, 2007
4 Yes
1 No
Got Poison Ivy Get Some Oatmeal
Jacob in USA -Wel i got pison ivy a couple day ago and one of my best friends told me to use plain oatmeal and cold water make it thick and sticky now that you have done that rub it on to the place that you have it and let dry and then wash it off and it helps the itch alot you can do it twice in a row like i did well hope it works
Mar 27, 2007
8 Yes
3 No
GET A SHOT
LAURIE J in MISSOURI -DRIVE TO THE DOCTOR OFFICE
GET A SHOT MY 7 YEAR OLD HAD IT FOR 3 WEEKS AND IT WASNT GETTING ANY BETTER TOOK HIM TO THE DOC AND GOT A SHOT THE POISON IVY WAS GONE IN 2 DAYS GOD BLESS THE SHOT.
Feb 14, 2007
7 Yes
1 No
Take benadryl so you don't get it.
Marilyn in Tablerock Lake, MO -My mom has gotten poison ivy so bad she was in isulation at the hospital. If you are going out in the woods or going to be anywhere around poison ivy take benadryl. It works because it is an antihistamine. We live in Missouri and it gets huge here. It works long as you remember to take it before you go out.
Oct 31, 2006
4 Yes
2 No
Heal lightening fast.
B L Jones in KY -My family has always used extract of 'Wild Touch Me Not' plants to get immediate relief and healing from poison ivy rash as well as many other skin disorders. In some areas the plant is known as chigger weed. It is very easy to find in the East, growing along roadways and fences. As soon as the solution touches your skin the pain, itch and discomfort is gone. I had a co-worker who burned his arm badly and he'd suffered for months with the injury. He said the itching and stinging of the healing burn site was so bad he hadn't slept much for months. When he did fall asleep for a short time he would wake up with the tender new skin being torn from his touching it while sleeping.
His doctor gave him permission to use the Wild Touch Me Not extract I gave him. He got immediate, lasting relief at the burn site. After he started using the extract, his arm healed quickly, and best of all he reported having no more discomfort. The extract just seems to be good for most uncomfortable skin problems.
I gather the plant in the fall when it is near the end of bloom. The small bell shaped blossoms are burnt orange in color. I chop the whole plant using stems, leaves, blossoms and all. I then cook it in enough water to boil it good. I then strain off the extract and freeze some in ice cubes. I also fill canning jars with some and process it in a hot water bath to preserve it.
Oct 26, 2006
11 Yes
1 No
Baking Soda Paste
Jeanine in Michigan USA -
For the first time in my life, I managed to get poison ivy. Mom said to mix water into Baking Soda until you have a paste, smooth it on, and let it dry. I was no longer itchy and you see the baking soda absorbing / pulling any liquid away from the skin. It is a little messy, but i learned that using it like baby powder is effective after using it in paste form for 2 days. Worked for me.
Aug 23, 2006
20 Yes
3 No
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