What is an effective treatment for poison ivy?
I have tried Rhuli Gel for Poison Ivy/oak and also Anti-itch Hydrocortisone Cream.
Still itches - help and is spreading
In Reply to: Re: Any Home Remeadies for Poison Ivy posted by wanda on August 02, 1998 at 15:33:57:
Dear Wanda,
This has been thoroughly covered within this past few weeks, right here on this BB. Please save me typing by looking at it.
Walt
my 7 year old son is suffering with an awful case of poison ivy on his face. He started steroids today. How long did it take you to recover?
In Reply to: Re: I feel your pain posted by gail on August 02, 1998 at 15:58:12:
Dear Gail,
If he is given a sufficient dosage (many physicians are much too conservative with short term dosages in this situation) he should start seeing relief within 24 hours. Remember, it takes 4 weeks for the skin to regrow itself so he will look bad for about a month. His itching & swelling should be gone in about 72 hours IF the dosage was adequate. That adquate dosage should be gradually reduced to nothing over about 10 days).
Walt
I am curious about soap's ability to deactivate poison ivy oil. A few days ago I was attempting to tackle my parents' overgrown "garden", and found myself taking out a 10 foot poison ivy vine. Knowing that it was there, I was very careful in touching it (gloves, long sleeves, etc). Nonetheless, I saw it touch my wrist once and my knee once. After I finished weeding, I came in and took a shower. I washed (with soap) three times, hoping the ivy oil would come off in the process, or at least be saponified (???). But that didn't work... I have a little poison ivy.
Please explain??? This has happened before.
In Reply to: Re: saponifiable posted by Lara on August 04, 1998 at 11:52:04:
Dear Lara,
Depending on how sensitive you are, seconds count when saponifying this oil. It sounds like you should not have waited till "after you had finished weeding". Besides, if it was hot that day, and you were bundled up like that, your pores were wide open & some of the oil got down into them. To do something about oil in your pores, make the shower as hot as you can stand & open your pores while washing.
If you had not done what you did, you would probably have had a lot worse case than you have now.
You are on the right track. Keep adding knowledge & you will eventually get there. In the meantime, if this still IS a localized case, I would get some Cortizone 10 and rub in a little several times a day till it is gone for a few days.
Walt
I have also come in contact with Poison Ivy. It is not pleasant and as I had it last year I too look for relief. My doctor has also suggested steroids as an immediate cure. He also suggested Caladryl, but I too find it causes more itching! I have taken to putting Ozonol ointment on it. The Ozonol I have says "plus pain relief" and it works well, however must be reapplied occasionally throughout the day. Ozonol being an ointment prevents the drying and also the pain associated with the "drying out". The pain reliever seems to halt the itching almost right away too. Give it a try and let me know. My E-mail address is above. Here's hoping.
In Reply to: Re: Any Home Remeadies for Poison Ivy posted by Ron on August 04, 1998 at 19:03:10:
Dr. Stoll,
I have read every single post on poison ivy, and still have a couple of questions. I've never had before, apparently contacted doing some yard work, and even though I showered after yard work, apparently not well enough to remove from forearm. It's been 10 days, and original area is starting to dry up, but I am breaking out every single day with a new place on my body, just starts out as one bump, and will cluster with 2 or 3, or remain as one bump. Also, have 3 areas of my body that a small patch has broken out in small little pin prick type bumps.
I have not scratched any area, as hard as it is not to, and just started using Calydril Clear. Prefer natural treatments, and was using apple cider vinegar and baking soda, to no avail.
Can you please explain why spreading, what to expect, and small clusters of tiny bumps (they're not close to poison ivy areas) Many thanks, first time here, love your site.
In Reply to: Re: Any Home Remeadies for Poison Ivy posted by Ron on August 04, 1998 at 19:03:10:
Dear Ron,
I would never hesitate to take cortisone to rersolve an acute case of poison ivy. It is the long term use of cortisone that is dangerous NOT the short term that the effective treatment of poison ivy would be.
You should use a prednisone step down pack which would likely be supplied by your helpful doc. We used to make these up in our office since a 5 milligram prednisone cost less than a penny a pill. For poison ivy an adult would need about 5 pills 4 times a day for 2 days, 4 pills 4 times a day for 2 days, 3 pills 4 times a day for 2 days, 2 pills 4 times a day for 2 days, 1 pill 4 times a day for 2 days, 1 pill twice a day for a day & 1 pill every other day for 2 doses.
That lasted about 2 weeks & was totally safe. You can see that the actual cost of the pills was less than $2 and we could still make a profit (considering the packaging & labling) at $5 a package.
Now-a-days, an inadequate dosage & length of treatment is available for more than $20.
Ask your doc.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Any Home Remeadies for Poison Ivy posted by Cross on August 05, 1998 at 11:17:10:
Dear Cross,
Welcome to our 'site. It is a lot the participation of many knowledgable people that makes this 'site a helpful one.
I wish I could see your new lesions. There are only two possibilities:
A. This is fomite contamination (see your dictionary). Something you had with you during your exposure was not decontaminated and you are stiill getting touched by those things OR things that those things touched since then.
When I was in medical school we did a laboratory exercise in bacteriology lab to demonstrate to us the power of fomites. By the end of the lab, we all were compulsively washing our hands and looking suspiciously at everything before we touched it. You would never believe how this stuff spreads by touch. So far as I know, it will stay allergenic for years after touching something.
B. As this is your first time, you COULD develop what is called "serum sickness" from this exposure. Although rare, if A. is not the cause, you need to see a knowledgable physician to see if this is a possibility. This is a dangerous condition & needs to be aggressively treated. I have had people end up in the hospital with this & have to be treated with IV cortisone to save their lives. This is VERY unlikely for this case since you should, by now, be feeling bad & have a fever too.
The lesions of serum sickness are different from the lesions of repeated fomite contact which is why I said I wished I could see the rash. Any competent physician can tell the difference by looking although s/he may want a corroborating blood test since it is so serious AND so rare.
Let us know what you learn.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Any Home Remeadies for Poison Ivy posted by Walt Stoll on August 05, 1998 at 13:50:17:
WHEN I GET AN ITCHEN I RUN TO THE KITCHEN. THE REFRIDGERATOR IS THE BEST REMODY. I USE JUST ABOUT ANY THING FROM MUSTARD TO FRIED CHICKEN TO SOOTH THAT HORRIBLE SENSATION. MY FAVORITE HOME REMODY IS PICKLE JUICE IN A 50/50 MIXTURE WITH MAYONAISE. JUST SMOTHER IT ON THEN SPRINKLE ON A LIGHT COAT OF SASAFRASS. LET IT BAKE IN THE SUN FOR 20 MINUETS THEN PEEL OFF THE DRYED MIXTURE AND YOU HAVE A DINNER YOUR WHOLE FAMILY WILL ENJOY. EAT UP!!!!
In Reply to: Re: Any Home Remeadies for Poison Ivy posted by Walt Stoll on August 05, 1998 at 13:50:17:
If you can the next time you take a shower run hot water (as hot as you can stand) over the ivy infected area. This releases the histimines (spelling? - I'm not at doctor) and will cause intense itching under the running water but will give you relief from the itching for several hours afterwards. It is especially great before bedtime since it allows you to sleep. Plus it is totally chemical-free. Poison Ivy lasts about 2 weeks, generally. I seem to be a P.I. magnet!
Good luck,
Carolyn
I got poison ivy/oak on my legs for the second time in my life. My fault!. It has been so hot that I wore shorts to clean the back yard and although I took a shower and rubbed alcohol all over my body when I was finished, the blisters began to appear a couple of days later.
This is what is has worked for me:
1. I have used RHULI poison ivy lotion (clear gel). It really cools and relieves itching. Over the counter (Revco or WalMart). It does not really heals but the cooling effect is wonderful.
2. When it was not getting any better I got the oak-n-ivy tecnu skin cleanser. Twice a day I cleaned the wounds with this stuff, dry them with papel towels and then apply an over the counter medicated cream called IVAREST (WalMart). It has worked very well for me. In three days the sores have dried up and the itching is gradually subsiding.
I want to thank you the folks that gave information about prednisone!. Before buying the over the counter stuff I went to my doctor who recommended the prednisone, 20 mg tablets to take 3 a day for 6 days and then stop. Unfortunately, I read the stuff 'after' I had bought the medication which I have trashed. But, it saved me from taking it!.
The way to control and cure poison ivy is to strip the resin out of the skin 3-4 times a day with rubbing alcohol and then apply 1%HC cream to the area each time you strip the area,,,,also wild yam will help decrease the symptoms.
I have read through all of the comments posted on this page and I certainly have learned a lot about Poison Ivy (thanks!). However, I was surprised that only one person mentioned going to the beach to cure their case of poison ivy. Unfortunately I do not live near a beach, but the two times I had poison ivy and access to the beach, I soaked as long as I could and it went away very quickly.
The first time I was a child and I was on vacation in Cape Cod. I was very familiar with catching poison ivy and it was depressing to think I would have to fight it while on vacation. But one day we played in the ocean all day and it went away! The second time I was an adult and had a hideous case on my leg and smaller patches all over. It could just not go away quick enough (a 6 in. by 12 in. solid patch on the side of my thigh, oozing and just disgusting). Luckily, I had planned a visit to my parents house in Florida. So I soaked in the ocean as long as I could (luckily they are near a quiet section of beach so my condition did not horrify the other beach-goers!). Anyway, it started healing immediately and went away pronto.
Has anyone else had a similar experience? Good luck to all you PI suffers (I have a case on my forearm right now from playing volleyball with a ball that must have rolled in some PI. Unfortunately I am land-locked). Best wishes.
In Reply to: Re:PI - Try a soak in the ocean! posted by Lesley on August 09, 1998 at 09:12:33:
I've had a case of poison ivy for a few weeks now. One week ago, I went to the beach and swam quite a bit. But this did not seem to make a difference because I had 2 small new breakouts the following day. Yet, today one week since the beach visit, all of my outbreaks are almost completely healed. I would attribute it to the clear Caladryl I applied religiously twice daily. -AND it did not spread to my husband through the sheets.
In Reply to: Re:PI - Try a soak in the ocean! posted by Lesley on August 09, 1998 at 09:12:33:
Thanks, Leslie.
I had heard stories about this in the past but this is the first first-hand experience I have heard.
This approach has all the criteria I like to have any approach to have: inexpensive (if you live by the beach), safe (so long as you can swim or don't go out very far) & easy to understand (does not require a prescription).
I hope others with similar experiences (or even those for whom it did not work) will share their knowledge with the rest of us.
Walt
This is my second time getting PI. The first time I had a huge stripe on the back of my arm above my elbow. I managed to keep it contained to that area and went to the dermatologist who gave me a gel called Diprolene. I am not exactly sure what it is but it seems to work after a couple of days, as well as stops it from spreading in the same spot.
I would like to know however, if using a brown soap is better than using a regular type of soap. And if you were to apply a salt water solution, such as epsom salts, what is the salt to water ratio? Or is an oatmeal bath better than epsom salts?
I am an annual sufferer of PI. I am currently "peeking" in an outbreak (about two weeks after I first thought I came in contact and about 1 month after my wife had it). Some short questions: 1) Once you have it, is the spread of PI caused by itching/direct contact (hands and clothes) or does new lesions arise internal (through blood?)? 2) My lesions and outbreak were minimal for the the 1st ten days after exposure, and now it has come out with a vengeance; could the lowering of my resistance (out late on a Saturday Wedding with alchohol consumption) which was coincident with faster outbreak caused this acceleration? In the past, swimming and acne medicine have helped dry up lesions faster.
In Reply to: Re: Any Home Remeadies for Poison Ivy posted by GY on August 10, 1998 at 11:34:06:
Dear GY,
One more danger of weddings! I thought I knew them all (grin).
The answers to your questions have been discussed several times right here on this BB within the past few weeks. Save me typing by looking.
Walt
After reading every post and most otehr sites on poison ivy, urushoil etc I have made the following observations.
1) There are conflicting experts and opinions are some important facts.
Is it spread by the erupting blisters? Some convincing sounding people will say no, but my guess is they've never had it. I've popped blisters and rubbed it on other areas and it spreads.
How long does the urushoil remain dangerous when left on garden tools etc? I wish I knew this answer. One said years and another said weeks depending on humidity. If dry climate it lats longer.
Can you contact the stuff from a dead plant? Who knows.
Can it spread from one person to another. Most everyone agrees that you can't. My wife doesn't trust this no matter what anyone says. I would like to have a definitive answer.
How to wash it off. Some say you have 3 minutes and some say 20. Some say warm water with lots of soap, some say cold water. One said washing makes it worse by washing off a natural skin protectant. My instinct and experience says wash as soon as possible with lots of soap and avoid opening the pores with hot water.
Does it spread through the blood? No one at this site has mentioned this lately, but the doctor who treated my current case said yes. I did notice two things. I had new eruptions (3-4 days after original)popping up on areas of tight clothing: waistband, rolled up shirt sleaves. Another thing I noticed is how oily my skin has been. Late every afternoon my eyes would burn unbearably and relief only from cold wet washcloth. My hunch is that it has something to do with oil coming off my forehead.
2) My second observation is that all the remedies can fall into two categories.
The first is the relief from itching. I've heard hot glue guns, ice, hair dryers, bleach and dozens of oitments. Most doctors recommend calamine lotion. Though there are lots of otehr remedies. Mugwart, wild yam and jewelweed were recommended but I'm not sure for relief from itching or to cure it. Benadryl is a favorite of mine. It normally makes my sleepy, but when I have PI it does not affect my sleep.
The second category is the remedies to cure it. The cortinzone or steroid shots with followup taper down dosage seems to be what doctors are following now. I can't compare personally of shot effectiveness versus no shot, because I always go for the shot. The other area of treatment revolves around idea of drying it up. This makes sense to those of us who believe that the weeping is spreadable. I apply a powder mixture of baking soda and corn starch directly after bathing and periodically. If it clings like a paste then it is "neutalizing" the stuff. Who knows? The powder method wrapped in gauze or large bandages certainly keeps the mess down and I firmly believe stopps the spreading. Some say try bleach, rubbing alcohol, banana peels, apple cidar vineger, laquer thinner, or mineral spirits. The general idea is that is dries it out. I did try the rubbing alcohol on one spot and calamine lotion on every other spot. The rubbing alcohol spot is clearing up after five days and no where else is after eight days. Some say ocean water (salt) helps and I like the epsam salt baths. I'd still like to see more scientific research.
3) There has been no explanation as to why it stops other than it runs it course - 2-3 weeks. My experience is that it always eventually ends. I'd be greatly interested in learning more about how the body handles allergies and the concept of immunization. I can't imagine PI pills! Some have mentioned such a thing. Sounds like a Nazi medical experiment to me.
4) A lot of people confuse itch and scratch. An itch is what you feel that feels better after you scratch it. So many say "itch" instead of "scratch". "I itched a mosquito bite." That mosquito bite is going to itch whether you scratch it or not.
5) Chiggars as a side note: Flea collars loosley around ankles on outside of socks. Blouse pants inside boots and the co
In Reply to: Re: Any Home Remeadies for Poison Ivy posted by Eric Holmes on August 10, 1998 at 11:44:34:
Dear Eric,
It amuses me to hear that a thinking person like yourself (good questions) is still "confused" about this.
You are going to have to believe who you decide to believe. Your only option is to go to medical school & learn for yourself. There are few things as well understood as rhus dermatitis.
If you choose to believe what I have said about this, you will find that you will have less trouble than those who choose th believe the old wives' tales about this.
Don't get me wrong. Old wives' tales are many times more accurate than what I learned in medical school. This just doesn't be one of the times when that is true.
One can get it from dead or dormant plants. Depending on how sensitive one is, it can still cause problems YEARS after the oil has last touched a plant.
The only thing anyone has shown to "deactivate" the oil is vigorous scrubbing with a strong soap. Where people usually make their mistake is that they have NO appreciation of fomite distribution & do not wash every place (or thing) (or animal) that has traces of oil on it.
The Jewel Weed works by an as yet unknown mechanism
--but it DOES work.
By the way, one of the most successful ways to avoid this stuff is through self-hypnosis. Self-hypnosis can convince the person that they are not sensitive. Those people can take their bare hands & rub the leaves all over their skin & NOTHING happens. GO FIGURE!
More than that, even once the rash has appeared, self- hypnosis is one of the most effective ways to make it go away--at least to stop itching.
What you say about the itch/scratch is perfectly accurate. HOWEVER, it is also true that the more one scratches an itch, the more itch there will be. You can just pick a place with normal skin & lightly scratch it every hour. Within a day, it will start to itch. The more often you scratch it, the more it will itch. Eventually, if you just give in to this, you will have dug a hole in your skin when there was nothing there to start with. This even has a name: "factitious dermatitis".
You see, we MDs have a penchant for naming things.
Why does it "run its course" in a few weeks? ALL acute conditions "run their courses". One of the things we are taught upon entering medical school is that 95% of all acute conditions will spontaneously resolve themselves IF we do not complicate them by treatment. If we can treat the person at the right time, we will get all the credit for what would have gone away anyhow.
Contact dermatitis tends to stop getting worse within a few days of no more "contact" with the allergen. It then takes a few days to "heal" the inflammation--IF one does not scratch! The skin takes about 4 weeks to replace itself. Any damage will take that long to disappear.
I hope I have addressed your questions. Of course, you still have to learn enough to decide who to believe.
Good luck!
Walt
Hi,
My wife and I recently "acquired" poison ivy. For her it was the first time in her life. We searched you archives and the search engine (it is down)to learn more about our dilemma. Our question, How long does the oozing last? This is day 10 from original contact; we went to the doctor on day 7 who prescribed prednisone for the next 2 weeks for her and the oozing started 4 days ago, one day after she started the steroids. Boy, is it bad. She is swollen and hurting. How long will this oozing last and what can she do for relief??
In Reply to: oozing from poison ivy blisters posted by Carl Romanski on August 10, 1998 at 13:28:47:
My experience is that the oozing lasts a couple of weeks. Calimine lotion helps dry the oozing somewhat, but it sounds like a pretty bad case.
In Reply to: oozing from poison ivy blisters posted by Carl Romanski on August 10, 1998 at 13:28:47:
Dear Carl,
IF the doc knew enough to order a high enough dose, her itching & oozing would have been done within 4 days of starting it. I posted exactly the dose needed in most cases within the past week. Look on the package & see. I will bet that the dose is less than half what is needed.
Unfortunately, now that the too small dose has been used, she runs the risk of serum sickness unless a MUCH larger dose is used and even an injection of ACTH is considered. I have seen people end up in the hospital with this when it is inadequately treated. It is the inadequate treatment that is the cause of this complication.
Even more dangerous is inadequate length of treatment than insufficient dose during treatment.
If she is a lot better by the time you read this, just make sure that she has a step-down dosage for about 2 weeks after this course is running low.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: oozing from poison ivy blisters posted by Peter Wray on August 11, 1998 at 12:45:27:
I stumbled upon a wonderful natural and completely soothing remedy to relieve the itching and help with recovery from a bad case of pison ivy a few summers ago. After using four or five different over the counter remedies which were useless I went to the health food store and bought a powdered bentonite clay made by a company called Aztec and a bottle of natural apple cider vinegar with the 'mother' still in it. Making a paste from the two ingredients and smearing it over the poison ivy I experienced a miracle. The relief was nearly instantaneous and so effective I was ecstatic! Anyway I hope this isn't too late.
In Reply to: oozing from poison ivy blisters posted by Carl Romanski on August 10, 1998 at 13:28:47:
Hi Carl,
Man can I sympathize with you! I haven't had this for several years now but I've had really severe cases in the past. My chiropractor told me that Jewelweed is the natural treatment for poison ivy. It usually is found growing next to it. I wouldn't know about THAT, but you can find Jewelweed tincture at the health food stores. It seems to work! In addition to what you are taking internally, Jewelweed externally may help to dry it. I don't think it would hurt. Any others have experience with this? Good luck.
Namaste` Linda
In Reply to: Re: oozing from poison ivy blisters posted by Alexander on August 11, 1998 at 23:33:34:
Dear Alexander,
Thanks! I had not heard of that one. I would be VERY interested in anyone sharing their experience with this remedy!
Namaste` walt
Sunday I did some weeding and now Tuesday it looks as if the weeds had the last laugh! Originally, I had one small itch under my wedding band and naturally, I scratched...ooops. A few hours later, I began to notice those "little" itches getting more frequent... I'm assuming the poison ivy made contact with all those places and was starting to fester? Anywho, I was literally going insane last night and I don't know where I got the idea, I was desperate, so I took out my hair dryer and blasted all the areas where the itching was till it almost burnt..ahhhhhh. But, only for about a few hours and I needed to blast it again. What's happened now is it feels like I have sunburn with a million mosquito bites underneath. I have a lot of redness, swelling and the itching is back! UGH... I used IVAREST (Walmart) last night BEFORE blasting with the hair dryer and that did not help ONE iota! It appears to be spreading and getting worse and I want RELIEF.... I'm going to the Doc's tommorow. I'll let you know, but any advice would surely be appreciated. I've read almost ALL the posts and am now more confused than I was when I came here!
In Reply to: Its's getting worse! posted by Jim on August 11, 1998 at 21:10:41:
It's me Jim again, the hair dryer guy. I just wanted to add that the sunburn feeling was only on my hands between my fingers where the swelling, itching and irritation are the worst. And that sunburn feeling is gone now. All other areas that I blasted with the hair-dryer have completely stopped itching, (arms, stomach, chest, legs and other unmentionable anatomy). My fingers are so covered with the poison ivy I can't even close them, it feels like I have a million tiny rocks under my skin and they all itch. Also, I want to clearify that it was on Sunday I was weeding, Monday I had noticed ONE little itch and one little bump above my wedding band. A few hours later I noticed a few more popping up in different locations, legs & arms. I few hours later I went and got some IVAREST and as the directions said, GENEROUSLY applied it to the affected areas. As I said in my last post, the cream didn't help at all, the itching worsened and the spreading seemed to have exploded. Tuesday morning, now almost 24 hours after the exposure, I am covered with poison ivy, I even have it on my eyelids! The only relief I've found is using the hair-dryer. Last night (Tuesday) before going to bed I went over all the areas that were affectd and was able to get a few hours sleep then I woke up finding myself "scratching and digging" I must've been doing it in my sleep because I was burning from the scratching. I went downstairs, hit the areas again and found instant relief. Yes, as I was going over the areas the itching intensely increased, actually causing me to shiver and grit my teeth, but OH, THE RELIEF. I was able to go back upstairs and get some more sleep. Now, the one thing I'm worried about is this; Yes, the relief is incredible, it feels great, and I'm sure the hot air is helping to dry up the poison ivy and drying it up is a good thing (right?) but, do you think it's possible by using the hair dryer I could be helping to spread this? I know, I know the only way to get it is to have actual contact with the oil from the plant. But, no one else has used the hair dryer technique so I want to be sure I'm not aiding and abedding the enemy here! I must've really gotten a tremendous dose of the oil, it must've gotten on my shirt too and as I wiped the sweat off my face with my shirt I got it on my face, it's also in the strangest places like inside my belly button. To be hones the only place I don't have patches or outbreaks is on my back! I've got it EVERYWHERE else and I do mean everywhere! One more thing, in more "delicate" areas is it normal to have swelling from poison ivy????!!!!
In conclusion I would like to say, that although my current circumstance is somewhat "maddening" I have thanked the Lord for EVERY day of comfort I've ever had. I can't imagine having a lifetime illness or condition. I know that even though I'm covered with this, in comparison my affliction is light. I've been thinkig alot about the story of Job (pronounced Jobe) in the bible and I can't even imagine what his plight was like! Job's wife told him to just curse God and get it over with, but he wouldn't. Job said, "although He slay me, I trust Him! Wow, that's inspiring, and as I know I can't do much but just wait this out, and keep blow drying myself, I'm asking God to use this to teach and mature me.
I can have poison ivy all over my body and be miserable, or I can have poison ivy all over my body and be joyful, either way I've still got poison ivy!
Any replies are welcomed!
In Reply to: Its's getting worse! posted by Jim on August 11, 1998 at 21:10:41:
Hello again, Jim again. I seem to be the only person responding to my own post! This is like my own poison ivy forum? I'm hoping that anyone suffering from poison ivy, sumac or oak might be helped with what I'm posting?! I've learned A LOT about poison ivy over the last couple of days and here is what I've gathered. I'm just your average guy, (not a M.D.)who's got himself one WICKED dose of poison ivy or sumac or oak. I went to the Dr.s today, they squeezed me in, when I showed the doc my condition he was somewhat taken back. His diagnois was that it had to be something other than poison ivy because of the mass amount of blisters.He told me it's probably poison oak or sumac, I couldn't describe the suspect (plant) I never saw what hit me! He prescribed 3 common prescriptions they were;
1. Prednisone (steroid)See link at bottom to learn more.
2. Hydroxyzine HCL (antihistmine)
3. Betamethasone DP .05% (Topical gel)
The prednisone, (pronounced pred nah zone) is commonly used to treat poison ivy. I've heard good things, and I've heard bad... we'll see and I'll let you know how it goes! I took my first dose today, I have to take 6 tablets today, 5 tomorrow, 4 the next, 3 the next, 2 the next, and 1 on the last day. So it's a 6 day plan. It's supposed to reduce the rash.
The antihistamine is a presription pill and is supposed to relieve the itch. I'm still itching in the areas where it's most extreme. One side effect is that it makes you EXTREMELY drowsy. Now most prescriptions that claim to make you drowsy usually don't effect me, I'm a pretty big guy. But, this stuff floored me. I took a dose a 1pm and at 2pm I was out of it, totally asleep, I slept for 3 hours and I'm still kind of tired. This is a good side effect though, because I haven't been able to get too much sleep. Last night wasn't too bad after using the hair-dryer. More on the hair-dryer technique later. I'm fortunate that my boss once had a bad dose of poison ivy so he's very sympathetic and understands why I called out today. So the drowsy side effect isn't a problem for me.. but, if you have to work I wouldn't recommend using it!
The betamethasone is a gel and is used to treat swelling which, I have alot of; my ring finger and index finger are each about the size of my thumb. It also treats inflammation and itching. I applied it liberally to the worst areas and so it goes, I'm still itchy in those areas. Other areas, have pretty much stopped itching but, I did not use the gel there. The worst areas are on my hands between my fingers. And the swelling still hasn't gone down either. So, I can't really say much for this product.
I've laid off using the hair-dryer as much. The Dr. didn't see anything problematic about using it. But I only gave the hands a shot once today. The only other relief I got was from the antihistamine because it knocked me out. When I woke I was still itching.
I haven't yet tried any of the other home rememdies except the mayonaise one, the cooling felt good but didn't relieve the itching. Tomorrow I might give soaking in the ocean a try. I'll Let ya know what happens tomorrow.
In Reply to: Its's getting worse! posted by Jim on August 11, 1998 at 21:10:41:
Before bedtime tonight I used the hair-dryer and briefly went over my whole body. I was really starting to itch and needed some relief. Even though I have not seen any benefit to using the gel I applied another coat. As well as taking my 2nd scheduled dose (every 8 hours) of antihistamine. I guess I spoke to soon about the antihistamine’s ability it “had” to make me sleepy because I was sort of counting on it to do just that. In my last post I told how the first dose at 1pm knocked me out. The second dose at 8pm was not so potent. I did not get as sleepy, I went to sleep at around 9:30pm. I was wide awake, ITCHING and all only an hour and a half later (11pm). I immediately went back downstairs and fired up the ole hair-dryer once again..... ....ahhhhh. I have to say that my hands (most extreme area) were not itching, so maybe the gel had worked this time?? Now here it is 3:30am, I’m awake once again and of course........ITCHING! Interestingly, I’ve been praying for patience, I s’pose the Lord is working that out in me huh? My wife keeps pointing out what a trooper I am through all this, she keeps telling me how impressed she is with how I am dealing with it. I used the hair-dryer once again, applied another coat of the gel and prematurely took my third scheduled dose of antihistamine, I’m supposed to take another at 4am, so I’m only a half hour early. Now again, I was exposed to the ivy (sumac or oak) on Sunday, now 3.5 days later, I’m still getting new breakouts, in places I’m as certain as I can be did not or could not get exposed to the oil. Is it normal to have breakouts continue past 3 days? For example, I noticed a new patch developing on my hip, I know my hips were not exposed, I don’t see how they could’ve been. I know Dr. Stoll maintains adamantly that it’s not contagious and can’t be spread throughout the body. Now, I’m not disagreeing with him, just seriously doubting. The blisters I do have are getting larger, they’re like big bubbles in the most extreme areas (between fingers). I’m seriously hoping a bath in the ocean today will help soothe my condition....we’ll see and I’ll let ya know! And I have a question, why aren’t the palms of my hands infected???? One other downside to the topical gel... it leaves the keyboard greasy! ;-)
In Reply to: In the middle of the night..... posted by Jim on August 13, 1998 at 03:55:21:
Jim,
My husband had a similar experience with poison ivy. Some people become allergic to the poison ivy and it becomes a systemic problem. For goodness sake go to a regular doctor and get a shot for it (I can't remember what the medication is), but it will end your suffering.
Good Luck,
Linda
In Reply to: In the middle of the night..... posted by Jim on August 13, 1998 at 03:55:21:
Hi Jim,
I began itching as I read your post. I have been there. You really do sound like you need some alopathic medical intervention. If I were there I would mix you some aromatherapy to see if it would relieve your inflammation and itching. If you have a naturoptath or an aromatherapist in your vicinity, he or she might be able to help you. I found Jewelweed (found at health food stores ) to be effective, but this has been going on so long, I don't know how it would work. If you have alot of oozing and you are applying gels, lotions and ointments, you may be speading the deadly oil. I'll look in my books and see if I can find any other suggestions for you. Did your wife have it too?
Namaste` Linda
In Reply to: Re: In the middle of the night..... posted by Linda Hynds on August 14, 1998 at 08:37:21:
Hi Linda,
Well it's nice to know that someone read my posts! :-)
I'm posting a NEW update on my condition, you'll be happy to know that it appears to be getting better. Alot of the folks I've talked to over the last few days all say the same thing, "I'm itching just talking to you!"
In Reply to: Its's getting worse! posted by Jim on August 11, 1998 at 21:10:41:
How do I spell relief? H-A-I-R-D-R-Y-E-R
Okay, so here’s how it’s going. Let me just say that if you’re reading this and you are currently suffering from poison ivy I truly believe that once you get it, it’s got to run it’s course. Based on what I’ve observed from my own personal experience I do not believe that any of the medications prescribed to me are very effective in treating, relieving or prematurely curing the condition. So before you go and read on go to your bathroom, fire up the hair-dryer and go over all the effected areas. That is what I found to be the “most” effective means in relieving the itching. I held the hair-dryer in each area as long as I could bear it, and while the hot air is hitting the areas you will experience an intensity of itching but, the relief that follows is well worth it. I found that the relief lasts for about 3-4 hours before I have to hit the areas again. So, go now and hit it! Then come back and enjoy the rest of the bad news!!
Today is Friday, I originally was exposed to the poison ivy Sunday. Over the last 5 days, the condition got worse each day, more blisters, bigger blisters, more itching, more patches and red spots appearing. Today, however, it appears to have at least stopped getting worse. Here’s what I observed using the medications prescribed to me:
1. Prednisone - I do not think the prednisone helped at all, just my opinion based on what I’ve seen. The first day I took the prednisone, was Wednesday and with prednisone you have to take “weaning” doses, so Wednesday was the largest dose, Thursday the second largest, each day reducing the dose by one tablet to keep your system from going to shock. You would think that by taking the larger doses I would at least see the swelling stop but, it actually got worse.... leading me to believe the prednisone doesn’t work. A friend also used prednisone for poison ivy and he claimed it didn’t help his condition improve either. The second day (Thursday) of taking the prednisone I still didn’t see any improvement but, it did get worse. For the risks involved I’m not sold on the benefits, my suggestion pass on the prednisone!
2. Hydroxyzine HCL (antihistamine) - The exception, I’m not certain the antihistamine helped with the itching because I would itch then use the hair-dryer and that would alleviate the itching for several hours. BUT, the antihistamine did make me sleepy. The second dose I took on Tuesday night didn’t seem to be effective in making me sleepy. But, since then all other doses did in fact make me drowsy enough to sleep. So, if anything the ability to sleep was relief. Maybe have your doctor prescribe a sleeping pill instead???
3. Betamethasone DP .05% (Gel) - The gel was supposed to reduce swelling, relieve the itch but, as you already know the swelling and itching continued to increase after application. Which is the reason I believe that once you’ve been exposed there’s nothing to shorten or relieve the conditions. I also feel by putting a gel on top, you’re restricting air from getting into the skin and preventing any drying up that is needed.
Now for a few more observations then I’m outta here:
Is poison ivy contagious? - Dr. Stoll says no and from what I’ve observed, No. I’ve had this nasty condition for 5 days now, and my wife who has slept in the same bed as me all along, has not gotten it. Now, maybe she’s one those people not affected by poison ivy? She’s NEVER had it, so it’s possible she’s immune?
Is it spread to other parts of the body? - Again Dr. Stoll says no and from what I’ve observed, No. I know I’ve had my doubts in my last posts but, if were “spreadable” throughout the body by scratching or blisters leaking I’d literally be covered with it from head to toe. I have patches all along the inside of my arms and as I type (from my extensive posts you can see that’s a lot of typing) I rest my arms on my the top of my legs and there’s no out breaks there. I believe that poison ivy gives the “ill
In Reply to: Re: Its's getting worse! posted by Jim on August 12, 1998 at 07:31:33:
Dear "hair dryer Jim",
This is a place where conventional medicine joins with traditional medicine. I think you need to see your conventional doc & get on an adequate dose of "step-down prednisone". See my note last week about what dose constitutes a sufficient dose at this stage.
The NEXT time you get this (heaven forbid) the alternative remedies should be considered right at the beginning.
Let us know how you do.
Walt
In Reply to: Went to the Dr.'s posted by Jim on August 12, 1998 at 19:15:16:
Dear Jim,
I read your post with great interest. I have had three cases such as you desribe with massive blisters and tons of oozing. None of my doctors ever said what they thought it was, just gave me the same type treatment prescribed for you. However, I had friends and coworkers who told me it must be poison oak or sumac as poison ivy reactions don't look like that. No matter what I did, without the conventional treatment, it just kept spreading and I thought I'd lose my mind with itching. Hope you are feeling better.
Namaste` Linda
Does anyone know how to kill the plant?
In Reply to: Re: Any Home Remeadies for Poison Ivy posted by Brenda on August 12, 1998 at 16:29:17:
Dear Brenda,
It cannot really be vigorous without climbing on something. SO, if it is constantly cut off at the ground level, so it can't climb, that is a good start. Also, pure "Roundup" applied to the leaves still seen will get the roots. You will have to persist for a couple of years but it IS killable.
Now that I am in Florida, I am amazed to see that it apparenely does not grow here. I have seen only one plant & it it vining on a palm tree. I am going to carry a clipper when I walk my dog & cut it at the root.
Good luck! Walt
Poison ivy takes 12 to 24 hours from contact to show up as an irritation on the skin. The affected site ussually appears as a "scratch like" mark, or more commonly as a swelling mass. Although it depends upon the person, it generally takes about 10 days for the symptoms to go away.
Generally, it is not necessary to see a physician for this illness, UNLESS, it has spread to your face, or into any mucas membrane.
Poison Ivy is, at its worst, ANNOYING, and i sympathize with anyone who comes in contact with it.
My directions for treatment are:
- Take an oatmeal bath, followed immediately by the application of a Caladryl type cream.
-Use Benadryl, as necessary to help alleviate the itching sensation.
-Avoid itching the rash as much as possible.
-If the irritation does not clear up after 10 days from infection, see your local physician for stronger treatment.
In Reply to: Re: Any Home Remeadies for Poison Ivy posted by David Brown Phd. on August 13, 1998 at 09:50:38:
You say it should be cleared up in 10 days or see a doctor. I saw a doctor after 2 days because of spread to eye, he gave me shot and a six day pill dosage. After six days it was spreading again so I got another six day dosage. Now its been two weeks and still have it. Most of the orginal places are 90% better, but the place that spruung up in between doses is still growing. Now should I go back to doctor and get more? The up and down routine seems unproductive and made me feel uncomfortable.
-Eric
In Reply to: Re: Any Home Remeadies for Poison Ivy posted by Eric Holmes on August 21, 1998 at 11:03:42:
Dear Eric,
I don't blame you for going before the 2 weeks. The itch can be maddening. Using cortisone in high doses for a couple of weeks is a perfect treatment. The trick is using a high enough dose and for at least 2 weeks. There is no harm to using cortisone this way. It is the long term (months) use that is the risk.
ANY doc that orders the minimum dose, & for only 6 days, has never had it him/herself AND could not have treated many cases.
The problem is: now that the treatment was inadequate, and the repeat is inadequate as well according to your note, you run the risk of a much longer & more serious problem. If I were you, I would seek the advice of a dermatologist (NOW) since s/he MUST have had much experience.
Carefully write down exactly what you had, what was done, what response you had, & what was done again. Be sure you have the doses listed as well. If your doc does not routinely provide you with this information for your home records, get a copy at once. TAKE ALL OF THIS INFORMATION WITH YOU TO THE DERMATOLOGIST. If s/he does not look at it carefully, run, do not walk, out of the office.
SIGH! Walt
I just took a walk and now I have a rash... Is it true that it takes 24 hours to break the skin and how do I define if its poisin Ivy or not !
In Reply to: How Do I know if its Poisin Ivy! posted by Jessica on August 13, 1998 at 17:51:17:
Dear Jessica,
Poison ivy is a "contact dermatitis". This means something contacts your skin & you get a reaction WHERE it touched. Since poison ivy is a plant, it has leaves. It touches you as you walk past. This leaves a characteristic straight line of reaction where you brushed past the leaf.
Poison ivy is classically distinguished from other contact dermatoses by looking for those linear blisters mixed in with the rest of the rash. Anything can cause a contact dermatitis but only a leaf can make a straight line.
How long it takes to "break out" is totally dependent upon how sensitive the person is. The MOST sensitive can begin to break out in a few hours. The least sensitive can take as long as a week.
Walt
I have posted this here before, but it was a long time ago. An easy, safe way to get relief from itching of any kind (bug bites too) is hot water. AFTER all traces of poison ivy oil are washed away with cold water and LOTS of soap, soak the affected area in water as hot as you can stand (without burning yourself) until the itching sensation goes away. At first the itching is extreme. This lasts for about a few minutes. Have patience and continue with the hot water treatment. Soon the itch will go away and stay away for about 8 hours. Your skin cells affected by the poison ivy toxin can only make so much histamine (which is what causes the itching and swelling) within an 8 hour period. The heat causes them to release all they have all at once. It takes the cells another 8 hours to make more histamine. I had a friend who used this method on poison ivy on her face and it was very effective. Just make sure you have thouroughly washed with soap first. Don't use this method on any mucus membranes (eyes, mouth, nose, genitals). Also don't use water so hot that you are scalded. This method has the added advantage of being drug free and cheap. Good luck.
DON'T take hot baths or showers, it will only make you itch unbearably! Try clear caladryl, it seems to help. My poison ivy, from start to finish, usually lasts for a month. Hang in there, soon you will itch no more!
I am a frequent sufferer of poison ivy and have experiences relief a couple of ways.
1 Clay. (sounds funny but a poison ivy sufferer will try anything) moisten potter's clay into pancale batter consistency. spread over affected areas. as the clay dries it will draw the toxins out of the PI rash blisters.
2 place moist wash-cloth into microwave until steeming hot allow to cool until it is just less than scalding hot and apply to affected areas. DO NOT RUB OR SCRUB. apply firm pressure. this should provide some relief.
good luck.
ps i just brought a case back with me from vacation and am having good results with hot compresses