Effective Cures for Poison Ivy

Poison ivy rash is a product of the oils of the poison ivy plant coming into contact with the skin and causing an allergic burning reaction. The contact produces burning and itching, which is accompanied by blisters and a rash. The reaction lasts until the top layer of skin falls off from the contact with the oils and a new layer of skin has time to produce. There are many effective cures for the symptoms of poison ivy.

Remedies

• Many remedies for the symptoms are associated with poison ivy, however the actual allergic reaction will have to work through the skin and will remain between 14 and 21 days. It usually takes this amount of time for the affected skin to die and shed, and the new layers of skin to reproduce.

  Calamine lotion is the tried and true cure for the irritating itching symptoms that accompany poison ivy. Along with Calamine lotion are Cortisone creams that have proven to be effective cures for poison ivy. Calamine lotion and Cortisone creams work by cooling the skin and stimulating the pores to tighten, which in turn decreases the amount of oil that the skin will absorb from the poison ivy.

  Another effective sure for the symptoms of itching and burning due to poison ivy is a mixture of baking soda and water.

  Benadryl and other antihistamines help relieve the itching temporarily.

  Taking a hot shower or bath as well as using a blow dryer on a low setting may temporarily relieve the burning and itching due to poison ivy. The heat from the water or blow dryer soothes the burning and relieves the itching.

Dangerous Myths

• There are myths that bleach and rubbing alcohol are effective cures for the symptom of poison ivy. Using bleach on your skin at any time is dangerous, however when used with a poison ivy reaction will cause more severe burning to the skin. Using rubbing alcohol on a poison ivy rash will irritate it and causes the burning to worsen; not improve the symptoms.