Poison Ivy? this will help

[mikeofaustin]

I've noticed a few posts mentioning poison ivy. I've learned a lot about the stuff, so here goes.

Ivy infection lasts 9 days. The first 3 days, the spots that are infected will start to appear and become itchy, the next 3 days are the worst. the last 3 das are the simmering off period. By day nine, you'll only have scabs from where you broke the skin.
During your peak desire to itch, use a very hot hair dryer, and run the hot air over your skin. This will cause you to go into hyper-itch, and is almost orgasmic in your desire to itch, but DONT DO IT. give it a few more moments, and if you can hold it there long enough, you'll notice the itch will slowly go away. Wash your skin very well after this, as you've just drawn out a lot of oils in your skin. Treat with calamin. This will usually keep all the itch away for about a day, till you have to use the hair dryer again. Another way to do it (and my personal favorite) is with running hot water. Get the water as hot as you can stand it... in the shower, sink, whereever, and let it run over your skin. Again, it'll make you want to go into ultra itch mode, but it slowly goes away if you've kept the heat on it long enough. Dont take away the heat until the itch goes away and by all means, resist the urge to scratch during your 'heat treatment'. This works every time for me.

 

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[levis_dad]

Once a long time ago, I went camping with a friend of mine. While I was clearing a spot for my tent with a machete, I didn't notice there was Poison Ivy all over the place about 6" high. The next day I was miserable...my hands were swelling and itching so bad I could hardly stand it. The day following that I went to work (for a taxidermist). I salted hides all day long...the salt burned the P I terribly. To my surprise, the next morning the poison ivy was gone! So, from that day forward, if I have gotten poison ivy, I make me a paste of salt and water and spread it over the area very liberally. the next day, the poison ivy is gone.

just my two cents

 

[LadyDigger]

I thought I was the only one who did that....I always get in the shower and get it as hot as I can, which is very hot!! It is such a relief and it will last me several hours before I need to jump in the shower again. When I get out...I cover myself (well, the areas infected) with Calamine Lotion....

The hot shower thingy works wonders!!!!!!! Never thought about the hair dryer...hmmm...if I should get it again...will have to try that! (this way I can save water...LOL)

Also, if you have access to the ocean (or any type of salt water)...jump in....it works great in clearing up the poison ivy too!

Thanks.

 

[E59]

I am so sensitive or allergic to the stuff that I only go mushroom hunting once or twice. When I do I wear heavy duty rubber gloves, rubber boots, and I am covered everywhere except my face. I still wind up with several long welts on my cheeks and sometimes I still get it on my skin that was covered. If I take my gloves off to pick the mushrooms I inevitably get it between my fingers.
I have found the only thing to help me is Technu as soon as I get home. I shower in the stuff and the itch has been bearable for the last 2 years. Still, I don't go in the woods after mid-may unless I'm on a 4-wheeler.

 

[LadyDigger]

I am so sensitive or allergic to the stuff that I only go mushroom hunting once or twice. When I do I wear heavy duty rubber gloves, rubber boots, and I am covered everywhere except my face. I still wind up with several long welts on my cheeks and sometimes I still get it on my skin that was covered. If I take my gloves off to pick the mushrooms I inevitably get it between my fingers.
I have found the only thing to help me is Technu as soon as I get home. I shower in the stuff and the itch has been bearable for the last 2 years. Still, I don't go in the woods after mid-may unless I'm on a 4-wheeler.

Sara....I too, can get poison ivy, no matter how protected I am!!! We had it on our creek bank so bad...and I did not want to wait for hubby to get rid of it (as my boys are allergic to it as well...hubby IS NOT!!)...so I covered with plastic everywhere and wore gloves and even put plastic on my shoes....only my face was not covered. The next morning I woke up, my eyes were swollen shut!!!! Told the doc what I did and he said I got it from the AIR.... The poison ivy was so bad....there were white berries on the vine that was climbing the old tree....and the stalks on the creek bank were just as tall as I was, some smaller, some taller...but I GOT RID OF IT ALL!!!!!

That's like you should never burn poison ivy...as you can breathe it in and it can get in your lungs. So please be careful...even though you cover up...you can still get it on your face.....

And that Tech-Nu...I can't take....I get skin irritations from it and it makes it worse...so was told I can't take it...so hot showers and calamine my partners in crime to get rid of it!!!

Here's wishing you a poison ivy free Spring and Summer!!
Annmarie

 

[999slvrfx]

I worked for a public utility company for 33 yrs.,crawling in and out of road side ditches
full of the stuff. The company gave us Technu to use for Poisnn Ivy. I found that washing
with it and cold water as soon as I got out of it prevented it. Technu removes the oil and
the cold water keeps the skin pores closed so it can't get in. The only drawback was it also
removed the natural oil from your skin so you needed to use a lotion to stop dry skin.
In all those years I only got poison ivy about 5 times and only in very small patches.
Technu also helps to dry up the rash if you do get it . It made a user of it out of me!!!

 

[konnon6]

Technu is the right stuff! But lets say you don't have it with you.
The oil its self it what causes the pain so anything you can do to get oil off your skin will help, like a shower will help( mild solution of bleach mite work
but I don't recommend it).

 

[UncleVinnys]

Good advice and a BIG THANKS for that. Seems like the heat
may be drawing out the oil that makes it itch, and may even aid
in breaking it down.

That "NOT SCRATCHING" part is crucial. I made the mistake of
scratching til it bled, and that took another week to heal.

I also find Cala-Dyl is a little better. Cala-Dyl contains
benedryl (dyphenhydramine) which mitigates the itch.

 

[stefen]

Wanna get ride of poison ivy overnight...

Find a blacksmith and use the water he used to cool the scalding hot metal all day.
Apply the water to infected area - Itch goes away - Poison Ivy gone overnight.

This happened to me at Silver Dollar City...I had poison ivy on my hands and arms...While watching the blacksmith - He called me over and told me to outstretch my hands and arms...He proceeded to pour his water on them...I'll be damn...GONE...

It works,

Nick

Heard that it works for crabs also...scalds those little buggers right good

 

[firedup]

I can get pi gust by looking at someone else that has it. I have always used gasoline as soon as i get out of it (on a rag of corse) (NO SMOKING)

 

[arob]

The dreaded plant has three waxy leaves, white berries and hairy creeping vines. It's found in fence rows and forest undergrowth throughout North America.

The poison in Poison Ivy is a natural yellow essential oil called urushiol

Urushiol is the principal ingredient in a lacquer-like phenolic compound that coats the leaves. It doesn't affect animals, but four out of five humans are allergic to it. Exposure leads to severe skin blistering.

A good way to get rid of Poison Ivy is to rub dishwashing soap on the itchy area. Poison ivy affects humans by excreting organic oil that irritates the skin. The dishwashing soap breaks up the oil just like it would any other organic compound.

A FOOLPROOF METHOD OF CHECKING FOR POSION IVY:
When my Grandpa is not sure of whether or not a plant is poison ivy, he subjects it to something he calls the white paper test.' You can too take a sheet of white paper. Fold the paper put a leaf in the seam and squeeze it. If it is the dreaded plant, the juice on the paper will turn black in five minutes! Be sure and wash your hands after the test.

 

[UnEarthed72]

I could and have walked all day in the woods with shorts on,I'm sure i could roll around in the stuff and it never effects me at all.But great info to know if someone with me gets itchy from it.

Now shellfish is another story...ingesting a single shrimp and I'm a goner..dang iodine


Shawn

 

[Treasure finder]

I just posted on another thread about Poison Ivy. Relief in less than a minute if
you use a product called "ZANFEL". It completely washes it out and stops the
itching in less than a minute. Just amazing! Go to www.zanfel.com or call
them at 1800-401-4002. I have used it on 3 separate occasions, it is just a
blessing.
Rich

 

[greydigger]

I am not allergic to this, maybe from my Cherokee ancestors, but is good to know what helps other folks.

Have heard folks burning out poison plants have gotten it in their lungs.
That must be terrible.
Are those things listed as being good available over the counter or just prescription?
I have no insurance and cannot afford a Doctor so am lucky I don't get it but some folks may need to know.

Grey

 

[stefen]

I am not allergic to this, maybe from my Cherokee ancestors, but is good to know what helps other folks.

Have heard folks burning out poison plants have gotten it in their lungs.
That must be terrible.
Are those things listed as being good available over the counter or just prescription?
I have no insurance and cannot afford a Doctor so am lucky I don't get it but some folks may need to know.

Grey

When poison sumac or poinson ivy is burned, the resins become airborne and are toxic if it comes in contact with the skin...

 

[trish76642]

Once a long time ago, I went camping with a friend of mine. While I was clearing a spot for my tent with a machete, I didn't notice there was Poison Ivy all over the place about 6" high. The next day I was miserable...my hands were swelling and itching so bad I could hardly stand it. The day following that I went to work (for a taxidermist). I salted hides all day long...the salt burned the P I terribly. To my surprise, the next morning the poison ivy was gone! So, from that day forward, if I have gotten poison ivy, I make me a paste of salt and water and spread it over the area very liberally. the next day, the poison ivy is gone.

just my two cents

yep i was just gonna say 'salt paste' it will draw out all the poison and dry it up...burns like heck..but its one of those 'hurt so good' kinda things.

 

[savant365]

I have never had poisen ivy/oak/sumac but I am sure I have been in contact with it. We have a weed that grows rampent here that we have always just called "itch weed" I think the real name for it is "nettles". This stuff is awful if it touches me and I get a bottle of vinegar and wash with it on a cloth and it stops itching almost immediately. I have heard this works for poison ivy also but I don't know from personal expierence.

Vinegar seems to be a pretty useful cure-all for several different things and my mother swears by it for any kind of itchy problem that you might have (and its a lot easier to get then blacksmith water, LOL!)

 

[coingairl300]

HI
oh,I ran around looking for some thing to get rid of it, yesterday. I went to a one of those heath food stores,and picked up a bottle of tea tree oil. it worked. The stuff drys it rite up. It was kind of expensive, but it worked.

Priscilla

 

[greydigger]

s365-

"Stinging nettles" were a problem when I was in California but they are not the same as ivy/oak/sumac.
They have little short hair things that get into your skin if you brush against them. Very itchy.
Believe it or not, as a badge earner in Boy Scouts, we made tea out of it very carefully.
Tasted like crap but boiled 3 times and add sugar was ok. LOL
I do not suggest this to anyone.

Still waiting to know if "Zanfel" is over the counter...

Grey

 

[Treasure finder]

HI Grey,
Yes "Zanfel" is over the counter. The company phone #is 800-401-4002.
I have bought it in a hospital pharmacy without a prescription and also at
CVS Pharmacy without a perscription. A one ounce tube cost me around
$39 at each place about 2 years ago. Also CVS had their own brand in a
1.5 ounce tube for around $19 called "Poison Ivy anti-Itch scrub". The
product # on my tube is #312505 and it has a 2005 trademark so it has
been out about 4 years. Both products are equally effective in my experience,
but if you wait a few days to wash it out it can go into your blood stream
and you can get an all over rash. Obviously you should carry some on hand
in your backpack or at least your vehicle. The first time I used it the relief
was so overwhelming and immediate that I vowed to always have some
on hand even if it cost $100 a tube!
If you can't find it locally call Zanfel, they steered me to outlets that stocked
it. Good luck,