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rmc85

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Nov 27, 2008
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I haven't had a bad case of poison ivy in years, but this weekend out a friends deer camp I got it BAD! We were working all day and I think I got it while cutting up a bunch of wood.

I want to itch my arms off!!!

Anyone got a homemade remedy? I've done the calamine lotion and its not helping. A few people have said to use bleach and I'm about to get it out.

Suggestions?
 
Ice? Theres also that Solarcaine (lidocaine) sunburn spray in the tiny can.
 
I wouldn't use bleach, I've treated too many chemical burns from that stuff... I've heard vinegar works, but claratin or benardry would help. So would cortisone. Better yet a steroid shot and some prednisone would do the trick (but that's the nurse in me talking).
 
If its really bad, go to the doctor. They will give you a penicillin shot or something like that. After the doctor, pour vinegar on the poison ivy twice a day. Your poison ivy will be gone fast.
 
PCN wouldn't do anything for poison ivy/oak. It's not an infection, just an inflamatory response. I bet .3 of epi would be helpful too, but probably overkill. Antihistamines and steroids will do it. Ok taking the nerd glasses off now.
 
Tecnu or go to the doctor. I believe they'll give you cortisone or some kind of steroid.
 
If you got it real bad just go to the doc. The steroids knock it out in days. Calamine or trying to dry it out may take weeks.
 
A 12 pack of beer would help. Or a fifth of Jack. Take daily by mouth as needed for pain, itchiness, swelling, and headache.
 
i agree w/ the antihistamines and steroids.

for antihistamines try benadryl and zantac at the same time. zantac is a type II antihistamine so it works differently. it also wont' make you drowsy like the benadryl. i'm small and my dosing is 50 mg of benadryl and 150 of zantac. i'm sure if you looked online you could find the dosing for your weight.
 
I think I'm going to get the Tecnu and try it.

If that doesnt help I'll go to the Doc.
 
run the hottest water you can stand on your arms for as long as you can, it will hurt at first and then feel really good and the hot water should stop the itch for a few hours.
 
Make sure you WASH YOUR CLOTHES that you were in when you got the poison ivy.

Poison ivy, after a few days on your body, cannot spread to other parts of your body. However, the plant oils can remain on things like jeans, bed sheets, and canvas back packs for longer than that. If you don't wash these items, you risk re-exposing yourself to the oil.


It goes away soon :)

If it's really bad, like some have said, go to the doctor and they'll put you on some steroids...I hate going on them (it changes my mood) but have had to after a few really, really bad outbreaks, and the blisters/rashes almost magically go away.
 
I've always taken a benadryl and then dabbed a touch of gasoline on the affected area. Whether it is a placebo type effect at this point, I don't know.

My uncle uses bleach and swears by it.

However, using gas or bleach can be very hazardous to your health.
 
Any time I get a significant amount of poison ivy, I just go to the doctor and tell him to give me a shot. I've got great insurance and going to the doctor doesn't cost me anything. Even if you have a co-pay, it's usually small enough to encourage you to go. A shot clears that stuff up in a jiffy.
 
I'm extremely allergic to poison ivy and always have to go to the doctor when I get a case. They'll give you a shot in the arse that really smarts, but it'll clear up in a matter of days. It's not worth trying to tough it out.
 
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