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Over the Counter Cures for Poison Ivy

Poison ivy and its cousins (poison oak and poison sumac) cause horrible, itchy rashes whenever the plants brush up against someone's skin. The symptoms stem from urushiol oil, which coats the leaves and twigs of poison ivy and cause the allergic reaction. Countless home remedies exist, and there are also a number of over-the-counter medications that help alleviate the symptoms too.

  1. Tecnu

    • Tecnu is a skin cleanser applied after exposure to poison ivy but before the symptoms begin. Use it as soon as you arrive home after being exposed (within two to eight hours) by rubbing it on the affected skin for several minutes. Then rinse the area with water or wipe it with a damp cloth. You can also use Tecnu to treat clothes or tools that may have been exposed.

    Corticosteroids

    • Corticosteroids reproduce the effects of similar chemicals in your body--notably cortisone and hydrocortisone--that your adrenal glands create to help fight inflammation. Doctors may prescribe powerful forms of corticosteroid in extreme cases of poison ivy infection, but you can buy them over-the-counter as well. Corticosteroids can be applied as creams or ointments directly to the areas affected by the poison ivy.

    Calamine Lotion

    • Calamine lotion is a time-honored method of treating poison ivy. It works by shrinking the blood vessels near the surface of the skin, which helps soothe the rash and keeps the blisters from leaking fluids. Doctors suggest applying it three to four times a day and then watching the treated area closely. Stop using calamine lotion once the sores stop oozing. Otherwise, it may dry the skin out too much, which can make the itching worse.

    Oral Antihistamines

    • Oral antihistamines such as Benadryl are used to treat allergic reactions, which means they can also be used for poison ivy rashes as well. Oral antihistamines work by repelling histamines from the receptors in your cells, thereby preventing inflammation and other symptoms.

    AVEENO

    • Draw a bath and mix a cup or so of AVEENO or similar colloidal oatmeal remedy in water, then soak for 15 to 30 minutes. Doctors suggest using cool water rather than hot water, since hot water can make the itching worse. Take care when stepping out of the tub after an AVEENO soak as it can make the tub surface slippery. Blot yourself dry with a soft towel rather than rubbing.

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