Home Remedies for Poison Ivy
WARNING: This home remedies site is intended to be archival in nature. The natural remedies here are submitted by numerous people from around the world, and we have no way to test or verify every remedy. As such these home remedies should be used for academic purposes only. Never use any home remedy or other self treatment without being advised to do so by a physician.
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Poison Ivy Home Remedies:
Submitted at 2012-01-19 21:04:44
My husband and I came in contact with poison ivy this past summer. I used a Tecnu product bath scrub which I got at a camping supply store the next day and then never had any further problem. That is good stuff, the redness went away. My husband however, did not know until 3 days later when the rash became visible and itchy. He was travelling and 2 days later came home with swelling redness in various areas all over. This was 5 days after contact, and it was getting out of control. I made a paste of water and baking soda and applied it with a cotton ball to all the areas. He slept that night with it still on his skin. The next morning it was visibly reduced. He took a shower with Dawn dishwashing liquid in the morning since it eliminates oils. We repeated this for 5 more days and it became much better and never developed into blisters and just slowly went away. One word of caution, don't continue this for much more than 5 days. I knew we had it under control, but were too paranoid to stop and the harsh treatments developed exzema, which required a doctor's visit and prescreption lotions. You'll need to moisturize the skin after doing this. Stay strong and good luck.
rating: 10 (1 votes)
Submitted at 2006-10-29 11:56:48
it sounds weird but it really does work... cheap white shoe polish. just dab it on the ara , let dry for about 10 minutes and wash off. within 2 days it will be gone, and it doesn't harm your skin.
rating: 9 (6 votes)
Submitted at 2009-07-01 16:37:54
I have poison ivy on my face,arms,and on an area that I won't mention.(I'm a male).I just tried the automotive hand degreaser/cleaner trick and it works great!!! Thanks to the chemist who posted this idea.
rating: 8 (2 votes)
Submitted by D4est at 2009-08-02 05:02:00
I have the ultimate remedy for PI given to me 40+ years ago by an old farmer in Indiana. It works has for me ever since then and prior to that I was the kid always sent home from camp because of PI so bad head to toe that many parts swelled shut, eyes...and worse...
Many friends of mine who didn't believe it now spread the word. Stops the itch instantly and dries up the rash and it is gone overnight if not faster. Get some rhubarb, break open the stalk and, like you do with aloe, rub the ooze that comes from the stem on the area. I mean instant when I say instant. Amazing! I have a friend who had PI in the winter, couldn't find fresh rhubarb so she got some frozen and said it worked as well for her as fresh, although I have not tried it myself. I'm surprised no one else has mentioned rhubarb.
rating: 7 (26 votes)
Submitted by Bobby Dill at 2004-08-13 10:10:16
For poison oak or poison ivy use plain table salt. Just wet the infected area and rub it with table salt for fast relief and to stop the spread. Use again if itching doesn't stop after the first application. Usually stops it cold and also stops the spread. I have been using it for over 40 years with much success... It was told me by my Grandmother who had used it for many years.
rating: 7 (320 votes)
Submitted at 2011-08-07 09:10:50
I've got poison ivy for the first time in my life and, after finally realizing what it was, read through some of the posts here and noticed that the recurring theme was to use a drying agent of some sort. So after washing well to make sure there was no more oil from the ivy on my skin (it was days later so not sure if this mattered by then) I dug through my cupboards and found an old container of green clay, the type used for facial masks. I popped as many blisters as I could to open them so that they would continue to drain when I applied the clay, and then I made a clay paste and applied it, let it dry, and then washed it off with warm water. The itch was gone and stayed gone for hours, and even when it did come back it was easily tolerable. At that point I tried some apple cider vinegar and that worked well. I've used the clay once a day for three days (today is day three) and the rash is scabbing over, the blisters are lessening, and the aweful itch has not returned. My rash covered about a third of my forearm, with a few spots on one leg and the other forearm. I am very happy that the clay has worked since it is a natural product - no harmful chemicals - as I would never try some of the things that some people here have tried. I don't think people realize that what they put on their skin is absorbed into the body.
rating: 7 (11 votes)
Submitted by patrick at 2011-11-18 11:24:44
get in the shower with a scrubie of some sort. us some form of dishwasher gel like cascage or what not. not dish soap but the actual stuff u putt in a dishwasher.. read what chemicals are in it the more the better... poor some on affected area and on the scrubbie then scrub the crap out of the affected area until it burns then poor more on it it.. let sit for a min or two then wash of with water and soap if u want to get rid of smell. never fails. a few hrs later it will pretty much be gone just a poisonless scab.. trust me i hear a lot of different remedies tried them all this one is the best.. this works for ivy oak and sumac..... if its sumac scrub a little longer and in a wider range for sumac spreads quicker and worse.
rating: 7 (5 votes)
Submitted by Nadja at 2009-12-20 02:35:53
Alright, I've scoured this site (and my rash!) in search of relief, and this is finally what I tried:
This requires a lot of clean clothes and towels...
Everytime I started to itch, I would wet myself in the shower with lukewarm water (as cool as you can stand so you don't open your pores) and then wash TWICE with Tecnu, rinsing in cool water both times. I found that Tecnu leaves a yucky residue, I don't know about you but I washed that off with regular soap. Then I used a FRESH towel (each time!) to dab off.
Here's the good part: Using a ton of clean cotton balls, I wiped every rash down with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol. If you were washing with the Tecnu right, this should burn like H***! I had to trick my brain by wiping the alcohol on really fast, so by the time it started to hurt, it was too late! The pain is worth it though. Within one minute, all itching is GONE! Within one hour, some of your swelling is GONE! I've been doing this about a day and a half, and my family says I'm looking better. I feel better too.
If you can't shower every five hours, put Tea Tree Oil on your rash when it itches. You'll smell like varnish, but you won't itch. I tested this, by the way--I put Tea Tree Oil on my arms and Benadryl anti-itch on my legs... My legs were itching an hour later! Tree Tree Oil is far better for itching. However, Tea Tree Oil does not dry out, so keep up on washing with a drying agent (Tecnu, Zanfel, Baking Soda, Salt, etc.), wiping with a drying agent (Witch Hazel, Isopropyl, etc), and using clean towels and wearing clean clothes.
Good luck to you all!
rating: 7 (24 votes)
Submitted by Ryan at 2008-04-21 17:58:46
Two words - rubbing alcohol.
I get poison ivy every year, and nothing over the counter works, and the blisters just spread all over my body until I need to get a prescription steroid to stop it.
However, last summer I finally got fed up (after my third bout of the season) and as soon as I saw the little blisters on my forearms, I scrubbed them like crazy with cotton soaked in rubbing alcohol. I kept doing this every time the blisters filled up again, and within a day or two, all gone! (You've got to scrub them hard so that you break the blisters.) Not only does it make the blisters go away, but you get to relieve yourself by scratching the hell out of the suckers. It itches and stings a little at first, but after a few minutes they feel completely normal.
By the way, as I write this I've got a small patch of poison ivy blisters in my ear (!) and the rubbing alcohol is working its magic. Please do yourself a favor and don't mess around with calamine lotion or benedryl. All you need in your medicine cabinet is a $1.99 bottle of rubbing (a.ka. isopropyl) alcohol.
rating: 7 (4 votes)
Submitted at 2011-07-09 16:19:29
After reading so many of these posts I decided on the following combination for my small but tenacious case of poison ivy:
Scrubbed with orange Dawn dishwashing detergent with hand sanitizer made into a paste with salt. I happened to have kosher salt which is larger grained and made for a nice abrasive scrub. I scrubbed this onto the affected area with my fingertips. I let the paste sit on the area for about 5-7 minutes and then rinsed with hot water.
Then I applied fingernail polish remover, the kind with acetone, with a cotton ball. This burned a little but only for a few seconds. I would have used rubbing alcohol but didn't have any at the house.
I intend to do this a few times this evening and will report on results.
rating: 7 (15 votes)
Submitted at 2011-08-12 00:04:51
my little brother has it. first we dabbed bleach all over, then mixed salt and baking powder in the bath tub. he seems to be find-- and its scabbing up slowly. which is good. anyone know what would be sensitive enough to work on the face? i dont want to use bleach. and salt stings.
rating: 6 (9 votes)
Submitted at 2009-08-24 15:16:50
I personally just got done trying the salt. I ran my hands under lukewarm water, and rubbed salt on my hands and between my fingers, where the ivy seems to have originated from. Left it to dry for a while, for good measure, doesn't itch a bit. As I type, the sides of my fingers seem to rub together because of the inflammation of lots of poison ivy but it isn't causing any type of itching. That must mean something.
rating: 6 (6 votes)
Submitted by jerry garrett at 2007-06-25 14:57:41
i am a chemist. acquired poison ivy. tests results are: yes it is an acid, needing moelecule, oil/grease based, translucent, liquid,...the key to treatment: degrease the oil base. soaps will NOT degrease it entirely. deordants have 'mild degreasers' thus offering a mild solution. salt and water: salts 'take-up' grease from off the skin. the best is hand cleaner (degreaser) from automotive section of walmart. removes GREASE poison completely. immediately skin irritaion relief. any more questions? love jerry.
rating: 6 (27 votes)
Submitted by Z at 2007-08-13 22:20:12
DON'T use hot water! Even if it is soothing, DON'T USE IT!!! It will only make it worse!
Use lye soap. GONE in a day or two. It dries it up. I WOULD HATE TO PUT CLOROX OF ALL THINGS ON MY POISON IVY!!!
Lye soap works.
rating: 6 (4 votes)
Submitted by Melissa at 2006-03-01 03:58:45
There is a bar soap you might be able to find in the laundry isle called Fels-Naptha soap. Although it is very hard to find it works wonders!! It is a drying agent so it pulls out the oils of poison ivy and allows the area to heal. Just wet the area and lather then rinse. Repeat daily. Also it's the best stain lifter ever-even removes old stains!!!
rating: 6 (48 votes)
Submitted by Amy Welch at 2010-06-11 18:16:06
What I have tried and did not work: steroids, hydrocodone cream, triaminolone cream, various bleach & baking soda & vinagar & plant products like rubarb, and the poison ivy soaps.
What worked best for me: shower and bath twice a day. Shower first with mechanic gojo or any grease removal cream to get ivy oil off your skin. Then finish by taking warm bath in Epsom salts being sure to rub salt on poison areas. Do these both steps twice a day. Then...
Dry with towel and apply Gold Bond anti itch lotion which is good for many itches including poison ivy, oak and sumac, and then let lotion soak in for five minutes. Then...
Apply Extra Strength (in green bottle) Gold Bond powder. On back of bottle it cures a lot of itches and also states that it dries the oozing of poison ivy , oak and sumac. Then...
Take 2 L-Lysine vitamins a day. this is at any drugstore or walmart in the vitamin section. It contains amino acids needed for skin repair. This vitamin is great for cold soars too. Then...
Take 2 bynadryl before bed. Then...
Wait it out. There is no miracle overnight cure for poison ivy if you already have a BAD case of it like i did. I had it everywhere including face. This dose better than anything else and it prevents ALL discomfort while speeding recovery.
rating: 6 (22 votes)
Submitted by MeLiSsA at 2007-06-29 15:10:40
CALAMINE LOTION? NO.
HYDROCORTISONE CREAM? NO
RUBBING ALCOHOL? NO.
VINEGAR? NO.
PEROXIDE? NO.
SALT? NO.
BAKING SODA? NO.
HOT (ALMOST SCALDING) WATER? NOPE.
I THOUGHT I WOULD FIND NOTHING TO HELP ME!
AND THEN....
I FOUND THAT STRAIT CLOROX BLEACH WORKED GREAT ON TOTALLY GETTING RID OF POISON IVY, AND QUICKLY.
I HAD NO PROBLEMS ~ IT DIDN'T STING, BURN, OR EVEN IRRITATE MY VERY SENSITIVE SKIN. (I CAN'T EVEN USE BAR SOAP, HAVE TO USE 'CETAPHYL' OR BABY WASH OR I GET A RASH.)
BUT MY POISON IVY WAS GONE WITHIN 2 DAYS OF JUST DABBING BLEACH ON IT WITH A COTTON BALL ABOUT 2 TIMES A DAY.
ANOTHER THING THAT HAS WORKED FOR THE ITCHING AND IRRITATION IS ACETONE NAIL POLISH REMOVER, OR STRAIT ACETONE. (YOU CAN FIND IT WITH THE NAIL POLISH REMOVERS BASICALLY ANYWHERE) IT STOPS THE ITCH, BURNING AND REDNESS ALMOST INSTANTLY, BUT THE BLEACH IS WHAT I FOUND DRIES IT UP, AND GETS RID OF IT.
I HOPE I HELP SOME OTHERS TO CURE THEIR ITCHY~SCRATCHIES!
rating: 6 (171 votes)
Submitted by JAGdrs at 2010-06-22 19:11:51
For starters I just want to say that it probably takes a preson who's ever experienced the miserable agony of a bad case of poison ivy / oak / sumac to appreciate some of these remedies. To a person who's never experienced this agony, the various remedies on this list probably seem waaaaaay out there to them.
Lucky for me I have not yet needed to try all of these remedies. So far I've only tried the clorox method and it worked good and fast. As needed I might try some of the other suggestions, like the Pine Sol, or rubbing alcohol, or salt / Epsom Salt, or Lysol ,or Vicks Vapor Rub.
Some advice: even though several people have reported good results using undiluted clorox, I strongly advise that. At a minimum I advise people use a 50-50 mix of cool water and clorox. Even at this I would not bath in clorox, diluted or not. This might change if I had a really bad case spread all over my body, in which case a full tub soak might be required. Recently I had a new crop of blisters breaking out after I'd just spent a whole month getting rid of poison ivy the orthodox medical way (prednisone ! : ( and I was in no mood for going down that route again. Fortunately the new crop was contained to a severl inch patch on one arm. All I did was use the clorox diluted as described, then applied with a cotton ball. The first time I dabbed the cotton ball and then put on arm and let the clorox sit there. I barely felt anything, but then rinsed real good with running water. A few hours later I did a second time, and this time around I got a definite tingle / burn. Then I did a third treatment about 4 hours later and this time a serious burning sensation began within seconds. I left the clorox on my arm for only a minute or so and then rinsed real well with cold running water. By the next morning the new blisters were gone and replaced by many red splotches... I've never had poison ivy go away this fast before! ... and I'm not sure how good of an idea it is to use a knife or razor blade to scrape open the blisters prior to applying clorox or pine sol or rubbing alcohol or jewell weed or ( name your grease-cutting cleaner of choice ).... but I guess as long as people use this method without getting an a bad blood / skin infection, more power to them !
Some other advice about the hot water, there seems to be nearly an even split on whether this is a good thing to do or bad. I'm thinking that both sides are in part correct. As long as the offending oil ( Urushiol) is still on the skin, it is probably a bad idea to soak in hot water as this may spread the rash and make it worse. The thing is, since the oil is basically invisible, there is no easy way to know for sure if / when it has all been washed away. If / when it is all washed away, then that is probably the time to start using hot water...and yes, I know from being an eczema sufferer, there is nothing like the euphoria ( about 3 seconds worth) that comes from running really hot water over top of the itch.
Good luck and thanks to all who posted these far out home remedies!
rating: 6 (22 votes)
Submitted by Di at 2006-06-02 12:47:56
i had just gotten posion ivy. i still have it now while i am writing this its all over my arms and my face. but for the last few days i was using this benedryl ointment stuff. yeah it works for like the first few days, but it doesnt stop the spreading, and my body got immune to it so the more i used it, the more it was itchy and stung like hell. so i was looking around this moring for a home remedy and i found the best cure i could ever imagine, ITS SOOO SIMPLE! take VICKS VAPOR RUB and apply it over the affected area. i swear it stops the itching and burning right away and leaves a nice cooling sensation. ahh im relieved right now. please try it. you will feel better.
rating: 6 (81 votes)
Submitted by Tony at 2009-03-30 09:47:26
Ok, I have come here to report on the use of salt on poison ivy/oak. I had the rash for 7 days using Caladryl and Ivarest. Neither worked very well and I was applying it 4-5 or more times a day. I read on here to use salt as an exfoliant of sorts. So I started using it. I wet my arms and rubbed the salt in. Yes, it did hurt, sometimes pretty bad but the one thing it didn't do was itch. After the first try I had relief. Now I had to use it for about a week but the rash was bad since it had been going on for over a week. Now after using the salt for a week the rash is almost gone and I have been getting alot more sleep just by using the salt.
rating: 6 (4 votes)
Submitted by Pyrlady at 2010-09-26 19:48:10
I am extremely allergic to poison ivy. Usually have to take dose packs (cortisone) for severe cases. Got a relatively mild case on my arm recently, from brushing my dogs. Hot-hot-hot water helps the itching. Listerine seems to really keep the oozing and weeping to a minimum, and also helps the itching. Apply as often as needed.
rating: 6 (8 votes)
Submitted by your name at 2011-06-22 22:24:03
After 2 days of little relief from Caladryl, and cortizone cream, I read far enough into this page and its archival counterpart to notice a pattern. There seemed to be a lot of mention of 'drying/degreasing agents' applied to rid the rash area of its essential oil. So I started remembering the cleaning chemicals I have worked with in the past which dried out my fingers instantly if I didn't wear gloves, and which ones I had available. I chose a spray can of some electronics contact cleaner/degreaser (which can turn fingers white because it removes all the oil from skin), and used a paper towel in between spray applications to dry the area as well as to break open the tiny blisters. This sounds harsh, but it is really easy and essentially painless. All I had to do is press rather hard onto the blister area with the paper towel under the tip of a finger, and then slowly move the towel sideways just a little. This seems to cause the oils to weep to the surface as well as opening the skin if the blister is larger than a pencil point. I repeated the spray treatment several times on each rash area. The propellant gas feels cold on the skin so gives instant relief! After each application the ivy rash area would weep a little clear fluid, and I would wash it away with more cleaner and then press the paper towel there. The really aggravating itching is already totally GONE!! I had 3 areas the size of a pencil eraser and 2 areas the size of 2' scratch marks. Thanks so much for posting this info on the web!
rating: 6 (12 votes)
Submitted at 2011-06-27 11:15:45
Noxzema!!!
Well long story short, I found myself a little intoxicated Friday night and woke up with some poison ivy, I tried the salt and dawn thing and the hot and cold showers and it only made it burn and itch more, I remembered reading online somewhere about how the eucalyptus oil in Noxzema helped sunburn blisters and irritation, so I figured it couldn’t hurt to try it on the rash, and IT WORKS, the cooling sensation from the Noxzema stopped the itching immediately, and it’s been 3 hours now, it also is drying my skin out so I’m sure it will help with the oils from the plant too! I don’t know how long it will last or how long before it goes away completely but if you are desperate for some quick relief from the itching and burning, use it!! I have the original Noxzema in the jar; make sure it has the Eucalyptus oil in it!
rating: 6 (14 votes)
Submitted by UngersPride at 2006-06-05 12:43:21
I am very sensitive to poison ivy. The store bought remedies are terrible and are a waste of money.
For fast and effective relief from poison ivy try this:
1) Soak your body in a tub of warm water mixed with baking soda. This will sooth the itch and leech the poison.
2) Then mix together: white vinegar, apple cider vinegar and ordinary table salt.
Apply this mixture to the affected areas. The itching should stop quickly, and the mixture will leech and then kill the poison.
rating: 6 (27 votes)
Submitted by Michael at 2011-08-19 05:08:51
I got poison ivy and my wife did too, we found that using a hot wash cloth and using white distilled vinegar keeps it from spreading and takes out the itch it works fantastic!
rating: 6 (13 votes)
Submitted by Mary Hubbard at 2009-09-03 18:09:52
my skin just recently became allergic to poison ivy... and i tryed all the creams and nothing happened, it only got worse.. i mix pure bleach, baking soda, and salt together then apply it to my affected areas and let the formula dry to your skin... do this a couple times a day and it should be mostly if not all the way gone the next day.
rating: 6 (11 votes)
Submitted by Kate at 2004-08-20 02:02:58
To help with poison ivy, take a plant called jewelweed, put it in a pot of water and boil it down. Then, put the mixture in a jar. When you get poison ivy, you can wet a cloth with the mixture and rub it on. It is an old-timer remedy, but my dad and grandparents swear by it.
rating: 6 (25 votes)
Submitted by Mama with Poison Ivy at 2011-08-03 13:40:57
I am highly allergic to poison ivy/sumac/oak. As a child, I had it all over my body. I remember going to school with huge poison ivy bubbles between my fingers, with the bubbles layered with super-duper hyrdocortizone cream and then covered in white surgical bandages (so my peers couldn't see the disgusting bubbles). It was so hard to write and do my homework. I suffered every year with poison ivy and get it very easily. When I was about 17 or 18 years old, I was told about poison ivy shots that were going to be discontinued. So, I got in on the last round being made available. I took the shots at the allergist for about 5 years, and they worked beautifully. I'd still get poison ivy every year, but just a blister or two or a very small patch and then (amazingly!!) it would go away. Boy, I LOVED those shots. However, as time went on, every year the patches got a little worse (still tolerable, but I dreaded the future)! Sure enough, it's now been about 15 years since I had the last shot, and I have gotten poison ivy twice this summer - and pretty bad cases both times. I hate it!! Does anyone know why the shots were originally discontinued? I would love to get them again! I even called my local allergist the other day to see if they are available again, and they told me no. This is so embarrassing and uncomfortable. My doctor wanted to give me Prednisone the first time I got it this year, but I cannot take it, as I blow up like a sore tomato. I even had a hard time getting the 2.5% Hydrocortizone prescription from my doctor. Do people not understand how awful this is to have? This sounds crazy, but the solution I've devised is the only thing that has worked for me: Scratching the blisters/rash until it bleeds. Then, I wash my hands (and the area) thoroughly, let the blood start to dry, and then apply the 2.5% Hydrocortisone cream. If I don't see blood, I know it won't start to go away until I do. Sounds gross, but it works for me. Sometimes I pour rubbing alcohol or peroxide on the open areas to avoid infection. I've read where some people put kerosene or gasoline on their wounds. Please be careful about that - sounds dangerous. I'm sure that would work, but it's probably very bad for your body. Good luck to all of you! I can totally relate!!
rating: 6 (7 votes)
Submitted by Sherry at 2006-01-06 08:31:20
I used to get posin Ivy every year just from the air and took shots yearly called acqua Ivy Shots-NEVER WORKED.so one year legs and arms neck was covered completly, My granda mother who was cherokee Indian Had me scracht the bubbles then wash wih soap and water then she went to drug store and got a tin (Little Box) of powdered ALUM. She made a paste and applied with cotton ball. Within 2 days the Posin Ivy cleared up. Thanks Grand Ma.
rating: 6 (22 votes)
Submitted by Jessica at 2011-08-19 17:25:55
Ok so me and my finance just got poison ivy in the past two weeks. We have tried calamine lotion, bathing in laundry soap, washing with dawn dish soap, and even scratched it open and put bleach directly on it ( spent burn as bad as what some people say). Nothing we tried helped. My sister gets it at a whim. I mean she gets close and wind is blowing the wrong way she'd gets it. Well she said to get some
Apple cider vinegar. And it has to be the apple cider vinegar or it wont work. But anyhow wet a washcloth or a paper towel and place it on the area and let it sit for 20-30 minutes. Yes it will burn but by the next day mine was starting to scab over. We tried it on him last night and I haven't heard anything about it itching all day.
Hopefully you have as good of luck as we did.
rating: 6 (25 votes)
Submitted by D. Smith at 2009-08-06 23:01:13
i just found this site or i would have posted this a long time ago.. but i am 18 and i have been using the acne stuff proactive for my poison ivy since it came out... simply apply the oil free acne stress control triple action toner (those who have Proactive will know what bottle im talking about) apply with a cotton ball let it sit for about an hour then use a daily pore cleanser... i did this twice in one day and my poison ivy was nearly completely gone the next morning!
rating: 6 (14 votes)
Submitted by Jeff at 2011-08-30 08:34:50
I used to get Posion Ivy very bad when I was kid, the stuff that worked well for me was called ivydry, I think it was mostly alcohol, but would dry it up. I also got a shot one year when it was especially bad and seemed immune for several years after, I now get a little patch from time to time and use rubbing alcohol.
Also when I was kid my uncle told that if I peed on it (was on my hands) that it would go away, and the one time I tried it it worked, no immediate effect but within a day or two it got much better. If I get it bad again I might try it, (heck I would spin in a circle and chant if I thought it would help).
rating: 6 (14 votes)
Submitted by mark saunders at 2004-04-13 18:16:55
Baking Soda
Water
Make a paste with the baking soda and water. Apply the paste to the skin where poison ivy is. The paste will dry and fall off. As the paste dries, it will help dry up the poison ivy.
rating: 6 (60 votes)
Submitted by Rich H at 2011-09-01 02:49:53
I have taken into acount many of the remdies i have read here. I am currently fighting a small case of PI on my face from cutting up a tree that fell from hurican ireane. long story short even after preping for the PI i still got it (I AM HIGHLY ILLERGIC) this is what i have found works well for me... i take one of those pink benadryl pills crush it up and with a little bit of water make a paste and put it on the infected area... keep clean and always change your pillow and other bed sheets... DAILY!!! if it is a larger area affected i tend to use face cleaning scrub give it all a good scrub, than hit it with rubbing alcohol(YES IT BURNS!) and after the burning sensation becomes barable i put iverest on it. and in a day or two usually it is gone and dried up. hope this helps out someone at some time
rating: 6 (20 votes)
Submitted by kate. at 2007-09-22 23:15:13
I am only 14 years old, and am VERY prone to poison ivy. When i was younger about 7-8 I was in the hospitol for bad cases of it. Right now i have poison ivy and it sucks. It's spreading everywhere.! I've looked for some home remedies on here with my mom and the vicks vapor cream did not work. So i tryed the rubbing alchohol and it didnt work either. Hydrocortizone cream i found didnt stop the itching but it drys it up. My mom's a nurse so she suggested a few things like washing it with water and salt, applying unker's medicated salve, and soaking my hands and legs in hot water for 20 minutes. The unker's worked very good at getting rid of the itch, so i suggest you try it! Lip balm works too believe it or not. or lipgloss. Having poison ivy sucks and good luck to all you that are reading this right now! =]
rating: 6 (10 votes)
Submitted by Nick Hall at 2009-03-08 22:06:04
I get poison ivy on a monthly basis and the best way I have found is to scratch open the poison ivy then rub on bleach.it hurts for a few minutes but then run calamine lotion over top of it.it will be gone in a matter of days.
rating: 6 (9 votes)
Submitted at 2011-06-05 23:05:00
I've tried a number of solutions including the following Tecnu, J&J's poison ivy scrub, calamine lotion, poison ivy tablets (supposedly builds immunity), caladryl spray and lotion, fels-naptha soap, ditch the itch soap, castile soap, bleach, hot water, salt, pine tar soap, sulphur poweder, florasone cream, cortaid, burt's bees poison ivy soap, antihistamines such as Allegra, Triamcinolone, Quercetin, Butterbur, probiotics, Triphala and GOOP hand cleaner. NONE of these worked. I finally beat poison ivy after trying everything in the world by using AZTEC SECRETS Indian Healing Clay. As the clay dries, it sucks the poison ivy oil out of your skin. With each application it gets better. Usually by the 4th day of using it the poison ivy itch is completely gone and your skin can begin healing.
rating: 6 (20 votes)
Submitted by steve at 2007-07-21 06:34:42
Ok first of all let me say that almost all of you say take a verry hot bath..NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! do not do that i did and that crap spread like the pleage my dr said thats the worst thing you can do i had so bad i couldnt breath then my cuz told me somthing to use and this took mine away in 24hours..take a luke warm bath and use LAVA SOUP..idustrial cleaning soap..on the poison effected area
rating: 6 (11 votes)
Submitted by Chris at 2007-05-20 01:28:52
Every year I get Poison Ivy at the exact same time, gauranteed from the middle of May to the Middle or June, or sometimes longer. I've gotten it so bad that I can't see because my face was so swollen. This year I've got a nice break out on my arm. It's hardly spread anywhere else so far, and I'm really trying to keep it that way. Heres what I reccomend, Table Salt + Warm Water and then slowly increase the temperature until its very very hot until you can't bear it anymore (don't scald yourself!). That seemed to help with the itching. People have been posting things about pastes to dry it up, I haven't tried any yet. But what I have been using (i know, i know its not home remedy and its pricy - but its worth it if you get this yearly) is this Treatment Spray from Cortaid. Comes in a little spray bottle and works WONDERS. It dries the skin up alomst instantly. It feels like your skin is really sticky, but when you touch it it isn't. I really recommend this spray to anyone. PS: DON'T COVER YOUR RASHES/BLISTERS WITH BAND AIDS OR ANYTHING! I covered mine up for most of the day and it spread twice it's size, bad mistake. Good luck!
rating: 6 (14 votes)
Submitted at 2009-06-22 15:22:56
i used all of the suggestions... rub salt, palmolive, beach,nail polish remover, baking soda and vinegar baths. i was cleaning something with quik n brite ( they have a web site) and the poison ivy just went away on my hands. it is a great all natural cleaning product. it takes a week to get but good to have on hand in case of poison ivy outbreak. i guess it removed the oil from my skin.
rating: 6 (7 votes)
Submitted by kaleigh at 2008-01-21 20:58:31
all you do is get a cotton ball and soak with apple cider vinager and rub all over affected area. This relieves itching immediatly!
rating: 6 (16 votes)
Submitted by Chase at 2009-04-28 16:35:21
well i got terrible poison ivy and it itches so dang bad im practily dieing and so im going to try the banana peel thing so what u do is rub the inside of the peel on the evil poison of he11 2 times a day and its supost to go away so im gonna try it and report back in two days any way im 12 and this hurts and i wana make it leave!!!! any way today is april 28 4:30 PM and ive had it for a week now and it really does suck so ill check back in exactly 48 hours and ill see if this stuff really works.............
I WONDER???
rating: 6 (8 votes)
Submitted by Ashton C. at 2011-07-24 09:11:49
When i went off to camp I got the most horrible cast of poison ivy on my legs. Nothing helped the itching and redness. So I jumped in a pool and poped all the blisters. It dried up in an hour. But the ivy is still there!!!So I read this thing online, it said to put on cheap white shoe polish. Just apply it on and let it dry for ten minutes,then wash it off. IT REALLY WORKS!!! My ivy went away in days.
rating: 6 (9 votes)
Submitted by MoonAngel at 2010-03-20 22:57:12
For Poison Ivy, Pimples and such I use toothpaste. I know sounds weird but if you apply it in the area's that are needed right before you go to bed and the next day wash your face to see that it has disappeared! I found this cure on a different site and works every time.
rating: 6 (55 votes)
Submitted by sammy at 2005-08-01 22:53:02
let me preface by saying this should be used for only the worst cases of poison, when you can't seem to get it to stop spreading. this may sound a little harsh, but if you've got the moxy, it's most effective! take medium grit sand paper and rub the affected area, popping any blisters and effectively roughing up the top layer of skin. don't get too carried away, just a few passes with medium pressure will do. then pour on a healthy dose of rubbing alcohol...i know, i know...sounds nuts, but a bad case of poison ivy will drive you way more crazy! anyway, the poison will dry up and fade overnight, no problem!
rating: 6 (36 votes)
Submitted at 2007-01-14 13:59:14
this is my first time having poison ivy and it is already fading. i used different remedies. first i applied cortizone cream. later in the day, apply a mixture of half bleach and half water onto a cotton ball and dab the poison ivy. keep it on for 15-20 minutes then rinse off. then, apply an ACE BANDAGE around the poison ivy. this works!!
rating: 6 (2 votes)
Submitted by Zach at 2009-10-01 15:26:13
when i get poison ivy i get bad. about a week ago i had it in the joints of my fingers, on my face, and covering my arms. this remedy is sure to work and i tried every thing baking soda, calamine lotion nothing worked. follow these instructions and it will be gone.
1. fill a bowl with straight bleach with salt and soak for 5 minutes.
2. rinse with cold water.
3. lather with hand cleanser from automotive isle at Wal-Mart.
4. wash off with DAwn dish soap.
5. leave wet and pour table salt and let it completely dry and dust off.
im 13 and this really works!
rating: 6 (19 votes)
Submitted at 2010-06-30 00:57:01
I'm not sure how well this will work for others since I seem to be only mildly allergic to poison ivy. This is also the route I go when I KNOW for a fact I've been in contact with poison ivy (my son is extremely allergic and it grows everywhere in the yard so I generally am aware of when I've come into contact.) So I guess this would be considered my advice on how to best avoid a breakout and my most successful remedy.
1st - I rinse off using Fels Naptha (a bar laundry soap. It's strong but unlike that orange pumice soap guys keep in the garage it's unlikely to cause an abrasion and potentially make the situation worse. Normal soap especially liquid will generally just make it worse because it wont actually wash away the oil but just spread it around a lot.)
2nd - even the above doesn't always prevent small breakouts (although i can say that without fail the times i forget to stop and do step 1 ever 20 minutes or so always result in a worse breakout) when this happens the best possibly remedy I have found are topical acne treatments and basically because they do the exact same to a poison ivy rash as they do to acne. Benzoyl Peroxide dries it out. Salicylic acid (especially in a toner form because of the alcohol) will do the same but is also a form of aspirin and has anti-inflammatory properties. If you have access to the prescription med retin-a this is best. it will also dry but more quickly and additionally is used to help the skin renewal process. so bad rash skin goes away and new skin is replaced faster.
none of the above will actually treat the itching but will simply help the rash from getting worse and help make it go away more quickly. I do this as soon as I see the first signs of blistering and then I slap a band-aid over it. (The band-aid may be an entirely psychological thing but it keep me from itching and seems to keep it from spreading.)Otherwise I'd advise any topical numbing agent. There are script forms as well.
In my opinion prednisone does NOTHING to help. As far as my asthma goes it's a miracle medicine for poison ivy... not so much.
On a final note. My skin is not remotely sensitive and while the above remedy works great for me it could be considered to harsh some skin types and then you'd just be miserable from a different skin issue. Hope this helps someone.
rating: 6 (24 votes)
Submitted by Fernando at 2010-07-27 14:10:18
The bactine stoped working on its own to remove the itch. so i paired it up with neosporine with pain relief cream. the ointment works too. the two of them together (bactine + neosporine)really stops the itch and lets me get back to work. it dosent cure it but it releaves the itch for about 3 to 4 hours at a time. hope this helps someone out there.
rating: 6 (13 votes)
Submitted by joshua at 2011-07-01 10:55:12
I've had poison ivy off and on my whole life. I got it a week ago pretty bad and when I get it it stays for 2 or 3 weeks. Being a new dad I didn't wanna take the risk of holding my son so I finally got fed up, popped the puss blisters, and poured rubbing alcohol on it 3 times a day. And wah la! They dry up so quick and in about 2 days ur ivy free!! Hope u try this!
rating: 6 (10 votes)
Submitted at 2011-07-28 09:18:49
I have had a strong immunity to this stuff for my entire life, but about a week ago I got a small pee sized set of bumps/blisters I scratched and scratched, within three days it was completely around my ankle and parts of my foot and calf, I went online and did some research. It was all the same, dry the blisters and its quicker if they are opened. I took an acne medicine (salicylic acid) found in stride pads and ground sea salt, I vigorously rubbed the compound all around and the itch relief was instant and great. When I woke up the next day Thu bumps were stabbed over, itch gone, and no new fresh ones. Within about 4 days the scabs began to come off and all signs were completely gone. But the effects of the compound were instant and permanent
rating: 6 (12 votes)
Submitted at 2011-08-16 03:48:03
OK, so I took a lot of peoples advice and did what they said, but then I added my own mix to it as well. First I started by rincing off my face with Dawn dishwashing liquid soap and cold water. after scrubbing up a nice lather and rincing it off I took those Clearasil Ultra deep pore cleansing pads and scrubbed the rash to open them up, then I took some mouthwash (alcohol works just as well but i didnt have any)and placed it on a cotton ball and dabbed it on the rash (and yes this burns like heck!!) After that I put some of the Proactive solution on it. Step 3 only. as soon as it dried I felt immediate from the itching but still to soon to tell on the actual rash.
rating: 6 (9 votes)
Submitted at 2011-08-29 21:27:08
OK I BOUGHT A PLACE IN THE COUNTRY AND MY FIRST YEAR GOT POISON IVY SEVERAL TIMES AND HAD TO GET A STEROID SHOT AND TAKE STEROIDS. I WAS THEN GIVEN A HOME REMEDY THAT WORKS VERY FAST AND I AM HIGHLY ALLERGIC TO POISON IVY. FIRST AS SOON AS YOU SEE IT BUBBLE ON YOUR SKIN MIX HALF BAKING SODA AND HALF WHITE DISTILLED VINEGAR AND MIX UNTIL IS IS PASTY LIKE PEANUT BUTTER AND PLACE OR THE AREA YOU GOT IT. WAIT TILL IT DRYS. THEN TAKE HYDROGEN PEROXCIDE AND POUR OVER THE AREA. TAKE A PAPER TOWEL AND FIRMY PRESS ON THE AREA AS HARD AS YOU CAN. IF YOU SEE A SLIGHT BIT OF RED WHICH IS BLOOD AND A TINY AMOUNT OF FLUID COMING FROM THE AREA THAT IS GOOD AND KEEP PRESSING FIRMLY FOR 5 MINUTES. THEN POUR RUBBING ALCOHOL OVER THE AREA AND AGAIN WITH A PAPER PRESS AS HARD AS YOU CAN. REPEAT THESE STEPS UNTIL YOU SEE THE BUBBLING GO DOWN AND THE ITCHING SHOULD STOP IN ABOUT A HALF HOUR AND THE AREA WILL BEGIN TO DRY UP. lATER JUST PUT THE BAKING SODA AND VINEGAR PASTE ON IT AND JUST LET IT DRY. t
THE MORE YOU REPEAT THESE STEPS THE FASTER IT WILL HEAL AND YOU WON'T GET A SCAR FROM THE POISON IVY. I HAVE DONE THIS FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD TO GO TO THE DOCTOR AGAIN. AND AS THE OLD SAYING GOES ' 3 LEAVES LEY IT BE'.
rating: 6 (18 votes)
Submitted by k.jones at 2011-11-19 10:24:42
Virginia creeper, five-leaved ivy, or five-finger (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)
Google this.Find pictures of it go out to the woods and find it.
Twenty years ago i got a bad case of poison ivy,I tried all the usual home remedies,bleach,baking soda,vinegar,calamin lotion and nothing worked.
I had it on both arms from the elbows down,one arm was broken out in blisters and the other arm was swolen to double the normal size with a few blisters.
I had given and was about to go to the doctor for a shot and I ran into an old guy that told me if I wanted to get rid of it he would show me how.
We walked out to a wooded area behind the convenience store and he showed me a virginia creeper vine and said it was an old indian remedy for poison ivy.
First scratch or rub all the blisters to brake them open and get a hand full of green leaves from the virginia creeper and roll them between your hands till their bruised and wet then rub them on the affected areas.It should stop iching within a few minutes and be gone by the next day.If there are still a few spots left just reapply it till its all gone.
rating: 6 (2 votes)
Submitted by Savanna at 2010-04-12 05:03:25
use a hair dryer on high and ittle go away after u feel a very strong 'itching' sensation.
I've been a bad girl. Out in the woods and running, being crazy. Unfortunately there's a down side to the woods, poison ivy. I wore long pants even and it's on the thigh, calf muscle and now fingers, hip and chin...mom thinks she sees a little red by my eye but that's just... I dot know yet haha we'll see. so, She first said hydrocortozone (that's what it sounds like to me when pronounced) nothin happened. Stupid cream on me just made the area worse it seems. The internet on the other hand has answers (thos some drasticly stupid)
I found a random sight that said at least four times by 4 diff users that if u use a hair dryer (I know it sounds crazy) the rich will go away. But like I said there's a down side, (to this now including the woods) put the hair dryer as CLOSE as u can get it and put it on HIGH leave it there and ull feel the worst sensation ever. To me it feels like ur scratching it a billion times over and has that strange relief but some how MIRACULOUSLY when u have had enough and the mirrior in the bathroom has cracked at least twice from the ugly face ull make THE ITCHING IS GONE !!!! I was so relieved! And then as soon as I got the courage up enough to belive it was for real... Typed this whole thing out and I havnt had the urge to itch yet. But maybe that's because I'm not wearing any clothing over the rash to not irritate it. Neither any bed linen. So... I'll see pretty soon if it was too good to be true. (one of the 4 users said that it dries up the rash..... Hmmmm i don't know.... yet)
rating: 5 (25 votes)
Submitted by Susan at 2008-04-25 07:36:44
I've read every home remedy on the Internet and tried every one except the vinegar. That will be next if I need it. I have had poison ivy since I was a teenager with very swollen, red, itchy symptoms. This year I've moved into a new house and have been cleaning up the yard and WOW! I have it again! This time it's on one side of my face including my eyelid and on both forearms. I practice a natural diet and lifestyle and didn't want to go to the doctor for a shot. SO, I tried the baking soda paste and wash and so far the swelling is down a little within hours. I feel less itching too. It seems to be drying up as I sit her typing this. Easy and cheap! I need to go out later tonight and must look better than I do now. I'll get back to you later with the final results, but so far so good. My skin looks and feels pretty dry after this remedy, so I'll have to use some good lotion once the rash is gone. Thanks for the good advice!
rating: 5 (9 votes)
Submitted at 2005-08-15 01:14:15
for poison ivy to help stop itching, get a blow dryer and on high heat blow on infected till itching stops
rating: 5 (44 votes)
Submitted by Thomas at 2006-08-09 03:05:53
the two remedies which have worked for me are,1)apply straight bleach to the areas affected several times a day and usually goes away in two to three days and 2)soak a rag in white rubbing alcohol,scratch the rash busting as many blisters as you can then wipe area thoroughly with the alcohol soaked rag as if you were mopping the ivy oil up.sounds weird but instead of burning it produces a cool tingling sensation.Repeat as needed,usually goes away in two to three days.
rating: 5 (26 votes)
Submitted by Kayla at 2010-07-12 04:06:12
I took a visit to kelleys island with my fiancé and his parents. We were walking thru the woods and he warned me to watch out for the poison ivy but I guess I didn't. Three days later I had a horrible break out of poison ivy blisters. And that was two weeks ago!! Since then I've been using caladryl lotion and oatmeal baths but neither has worked. So I got onto my home remedies and combined a few.
First: was the affected area thoroughly with dawn dish soap. Rinse with cool water.
Second: apply a small amount of clorox (undiluted) with a cotton ball.
Third: apply isopropyl alcohol with a cotton ball. LEAVE IT FOR FIFTEEN MINUTES! It will burn once you put the alcohol on but you'll be okay..
Repeat process once every hour or two. It will itch after the soap but be COMPLETELY relieved after the burn of the alcohol is gone! It'll clear up in a day or two! Hope it works for you!
rating: 5 (42 votes)
Submitted by Lori, RN from Missouri at 2009-04-14 18:11:05
Rub hand sanitizer on your poison ivy. I haven't tried all brands but Germ-X works for me and my family every time. It stops the itch immediately and 12 hours later you can't even tell where the rash was. These days almost everyone carries hand sanitizer in their purse, car, etc. Good luck!
rating: 5 (22 votes)
Submitted by Janice at 2004-08-24 23:28:17
As early as possible after exposure to poison ivy, apply 'Soft Scrub' liquid bleach cleaner to affected area. I found this by accident and it totally kills the poison ivy.
rating: 5 (29 votes)
Submitted by scshouse at 2005-08-29 20:35:04
Even the slightest bit of poison ivy affects me for weeks! During my most recent bout I had covered myself with the 'pink stuff,' but with no result. A friend of mine told me this home remedy: mix equal parts table salt, Dawn dish soap, and white vinegar. Rub mixture on the affected area several times a day. Not only did this relieve the itchiness, the spots dried up without spreading in two days tops!
rating: 5 (28 votes)
Submitted by Sean at 2007-10-17 16:58:06
Most of the over-the-counter products made to remove urushiol from the skin after exposure have deodorized mineral spirits as the active ingredient but cost upwards of $45/oz. So, when I got exposure to the IVY and noticed my arms getting red and rashes just starting to break out I went to Home Depot and picked up a gallon of deodorized mineral spirits for $10. I ran my arms under hot water to open the pours, then scrubbed them ole arms down with a dishwashing sponge drenching them in mineral spirits, let the mineral spirits soak on my skin for a few minutes, then I followed with a good thorough washing of the arms with dawn dish liquid. Then I applied Elidel cream which is a prescription immune suppressing cream used to treat eczema. Next morning my arms were as good as new. I know most people will not have quick access to Elidel since it is a prescription cream but I think the mineral spirits would work just fine if used the same day of exposure. This is the active ingredient in Zanfel, Tacnu, and other Ivy washes. But in a much purer and cheaper form.
rating: 5 (30 votes)
Submitted at 2010-06-06 17:02:54
The heat from the hair dryer really does work. And after you use the hair dryer, put Vagisil Maximum Strength to continue a treatment for the itch. It takes about a week and it will be gone.
rating: 5 (12 votes)
Submitted by Nancy Lee at 2004-12-05 08:32:55
Believe it or not, I had a poison ivy rash that would nOt go away after 7 weeks of creams, 2 cortizone shots, oatmeal baths etc.Then I went online and looked for a natural cure, somewhere I found a site that said to rub the inside of a banana peel all over the rash. Within seconds the rash stopped itching and went away in 2 days. It only took 2 applications of peels a day.Now all the doctors I know in West Virginia are recomending this to their patients rather than a very expensive cortizone. God has truly blessed us with His own cures!
rating: 5 (52 votes)
Submitted by Trish at 2008-08-08 10:00:07
This is the first time I've had Poison Ivy. I got in on my right ear and it's not so much itchy, as it is burning and very red. There's a lot of remedies on here that seem pretty sketchy like the use of Bleach, so I tired plain salt and left on for 2 minutes. It stung like hell, but after I washed it off I put on Aloe Vera and the burning stopped. So far so good :)
rating: 5 (5 votes)
Submitted by Nadja at 2009-12-22 02:09:02
Update: I am cured! After only a week after first contact, which I think might have been shorter had I not made some stupid blunders: Washing with a washcloth, washing with extremely hot water (which made it spread to my legs and stomach!), wearing my urishiol-coated watch..
So here’s how I finally did it!
Three Steps:
1. Remove the poison oil using a degreaser. (1-2 days)
2. Continue with degreaser while applying a light astringent. (1-3 days).
3. Dry out remaining blisters using a severe astringent. (1-2 days).
I used Tecnu as my degreaser (I used Zanfel on my face, which made the rash go away really quickly, but it’s $39.99…). Other people have suggested a degreaser from the automotive department (that’ll definitely work and is cheaper!), and my mom suggested using gasoline or turpentine if you’re not afraid of a few carcinogens.
Tips on degreasing:
1. Start from the top and work your way down. The degreaser picks up the urishiol and then has the poison oil in it. If you start from the top (face, arms, chest) the degreaser holding the urishiol gets washed over the rest of your body. When you wash moving downward, less and less of your body gets exposed to the degreaser when you rinse. If you started from the bottom (feet, legs), then when you got to the top, the poison-oil-holding degreaser running from your face and neck wouldn’t get completely washed off. I hope that makes sense.
2. Do not use hot or even warm water! Use tepid or lukewarm water. Hot water opens the pores. I know it’s tempting to use hot water (it feels SOOO nice!), but don’t do that until you’re to step 2, when you’re sure you’ve gotten all the poison oils off and are only combating itching and blisters.
3. Do not use severe drying agents yet. One time I got poison ivy on my leg and thought it would be a good idea to scratch it open and apply massive amounts of salt to it (a Native American friend suggested it to me). No no no, not only did it hurt like the dickens, but the damage to my skin opened it up to deeper urishiol irritation (I believe that’s what people mean when they say scratching your blisters will make them become ‘infected’). It took FOREVER to get rid of after that and I still have big purple scars!
If you start degreaser early enough, you won’t have to do steps 2 and 3. I degreased my face right away and it was gone really quickly.
However, if you screwed up and are now COVERED in poison ivy (like I did and was), here’s the next step. When I was really starting to itch (about 2 days), I had to take more drastic measures. Everytime I started to itch, I would wash TWICE with Tecnu, rinsing in cool water both times. I used a FRESH towel (each time!) to dab off. Then I applied a light drying agent--Using a ton of clean cotton balls, I wiped every rash down with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol. If you were washing with the Tecnu right, this should burn like crazy! I had to trick my brain by wiping the alcohol on really fast, so by the time it started to hurt, it was too late! The pain is worth it though. Within one minute, all itching is GONE! Within one hour, some of the swelling is GONE! Because I was pretty covered in poison ivy and really really itchy, I probably showered about five times a day and didn’t get a lot of sleep. But showering and applying rubbing alcohol ALWAYS brought relief, while lying in bed scratching at my arms, stomach and legs did NOT.
If you can't shower every five hours, put what I call a ‘nerve-killer’ on your rash when it itches. Don’t use the same ‘nerve-killer’ longer than one day. You build up resistance to it very quickly. I kept switching from Benadryl Anti-Itch cream (diphenhydramine hydrochloride) to a generic anti-itch cream (pramoxine hydrochloride) and Lanacane (benzocaine and benzethonium chloride). I also found that Tea Tree Oil was good during the day, though not powerful enough to help me sleep.
If you were covered in a rash, but you’ve been diligently washing every time you itch and applying a light drying agent, you should be seeing some improvement. I started to feel better almost immediately. However, you’re still covered in blisters and you’re running of Tecnu! Here’s the final step—a severe drying agent. This is when people start suggesting bleach, which is a little too much for me, but I’m sure it works. I used Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) and you could probably use regular salt too. I don’t know how well peroxide or baking soda work, I’ve never tried them.
Instead of applying alcohol after getting out of the shower, after washing with Tecnu I would turn off the water and scrub my blisters with Epsom salt. IMPORTANT: Although it’s okay that alcohol stings when you apply it, don’t let the salt/bleach/whatever stay on too long after it starts to sting. Rinse off immediately! If you don’t, you will suffer chemical burns! So, I usually had to scrub myself in sections, starting with my arms, then my chest, then my stomach, and so on, just so I could rinse the Epsom salt off right away.
And that’s it! After starting the Epsom salt, I only had to wash about twice a day, and my itching isn’t from poison ivy anymore, but my poor cracked, flaky, dried skin! Luckily a little lotion and Vitamin E oil will fix that. If you follow these instructions (DEGREASE, DEGREASE+LIGHT DRYING, SEVERE DRYING) you’ll be cured within a week! If you notice any little remaining blisters afterwards, nip it in the bud right away with a degreaser and severe drying agent, and you’ll be fine.
Additional Tips: Since you’re skin gets so dry but you can’t put lotion on it, hydrate from the inside out—drink plenty of water and support your collagen by taking Vitamin C supplements. I prefer Emergen-C, it’s like pop-rocks if you eat it straight out of the packet. Also, a healthy excretory system (a.k.a. your bowels) supports the removal of toxins and the improvement of your skin. Eat yogurt or take an Acidophilus supplement or both to help improve your intestinal health. THIS IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT IF YOU ARE TAKING PREDNIZONE, AS THIS STEROID KILLS OFF YOUR INTESTINAL FLORA. Good luck everybody!
rating: 5 (42 votes)
Submitted at 2011-07-05 07:54:26
Use the inside of a banana peel... sounds crazy but works really good but only on poison ivy. Rash started to go away after minutes.
rating: 5 (23 votes)
Submitted by Beca and Angelica at 2009-12-31 17:18:44
My sister and I got poison IVY super bad. We think it was because we were hunting for mistletoe an some lady jinkst us and said we were going to get it. Sure enough two weeks later, its new years eve and my sister and I are rubbing everything humanly possible on our skin. this is what we tried
1)we mixed salt, water and rubbing alcohol and scrubed ourselves with it for a good 20 min.
2)then we washed it off
3)after we washed it off we scrubed ourselves with dish soap.
4)after drying we applied VICKS Vapor rub. MIRACLE!!!!!
it tinglely, fresh, and doesnt itch!
rating: 5 (22 votes)
Submitted by Ichty n Ky at 2010-05-12 03:10:26
A Posion Ivy Remedy that Really Works! I ended up with a Poision Ivy rash and tried the benadryl calamin lotion ect. But it didnt help So I read a Few things on Here and Came up with a Great One. First I washed my Arm with Dish Soap then I put Calamin Lotion on it next I Put Salt ( Yes Salt )On top of the Calamin Lotion and used my figers and rubbed it around it circles ( it feels good too because ur kinda scratching the itch ) Do that about 2 times in a hour and You will no longer itch and you will see the Rash Just start Drying up right before your eyes. Hope It Helps You Too :)
rating: 5 (51 votes)
Submitted by Melissa and Chris at 2011-08-06 13:58:18
As i sit here dying from posion ivy and read many of these remedies most of which i have tried first of all bleach and clorox dyes the skin! I am alergic to almost everything mostly bee stings and pi and i know this sounds gross but the thing that has worked for me the best is tobacco! Take the tobacco from a ciggarette and wet it then put it on open blisters then place banages over it! Change application every 4 hours and by morning the tobacco has dried the ivy up! I am using this remedy as i write. And one more thing it burns like h***! But it works! I have suffered since i was a kid from pi all my life and this is the third time this summer but my boyfriend cure seems to work the best so far! Good luck to every one reading this! I know you need it!
rating: 5 (4 votes)
Submitted by Debbie at 2011-08-31 09:14:49
I am one of those people that if the someone gets into PI & sits in a chair, I will catch it if I later sit in the same chair. Its dreadful. I use many of the remedies listed but have found the itch is quickly lessened by using a blow dryer on the hottest setting & pointing it towards the ivy. Be warned--for the moment, the itching is so intense it feels like your skin is splitting, but then blissfully goes away for several hours. :) i will also rub fels naptha laundry soap or old-fashioned lye soap on the bubbles/patches & blow dry...it helps to dry the spots.
rating: 5 (19 votes)
Submitted at 2011-02-25 21:58:54
My son is allergic to poison ivy. They give him steroids and benedryl. But we found a magic potion that I swear works.
Make a paste out of egg whites and corn starch ! Make it thick and spread it evenly over the affected area. Leave it on until it dries and cracks. It will pull every bit of the poison out and will just dry up and go away ! You may have to do this a couple of times but it really works. Oh ... it works for sumac and poison oak as well. And it also will remove blackheads and dry up pimples and acne as well.
rating: 5 (59 votes)
Submitted at 2010-09-21 16:10:27
Havent had poison ivy in years, this case is making up for it. Tried hydrocortisone cream for the first 2 days and took a couple of Benadryl tablets, helped the itch but now has spread over both legs. I have used stridex(alcohol free) acne pads and the itch and rash is going away. Best I have felt in days. The key is to keep the weeping down to a minimum using the pads and not use oil based products which will help the rash spread.
rating: 5 (11 votes)
Submitted by john martinelli at 2005-08-16 14:01:03
by taking a cotton ball and soaking it in pure cleaning bleach and applying it to the efeected areas, the poison ivy will go away. you need to pretreat the area by wasking it off first, then apply the bleach. it will sting, but like salt, the bleach will dry out the affected area.
rating: 5 (40 votes)
Submitted by Jessica Bouman at 2011-06-15 01:04:11
Ive battleed with posin o=ivy over the years and this year seem to have the worst cast ever. I have tried Bleach and straight aloe vera gel after showering etc. and it was not working. So i just took equal parts of neosporine and hydrocortizone cream and mixed them together right in the palm of my hand and applied the mixture to any areas that itched whatsoever. INSTANT RELIEF. It works wonderfully relieving the itch and helping the open itching wounds to heal up through neosporine
!
rating: 5 (21 votes)
Submitted by Alexandra at 2010-10-01 23:50:40
This works!
Im in high school and i got the poison ivy right before homecoming! It was all over my arms and hand, in between my fingers and on my FACE! I TRIED EVERYTHING! i was desperate!
-Clorox- no just burns more and irritates skin
-salt and vinegar- same thing as Clorox
-Oatmeal works a little bit feels really good and if you let it sit for like 10 mins it will look a little better nothing drastic. Just boil some water and oatmeal and let it cool and salp it right on!
--To help the itch put it in hot water( as hot as you can stand) for like 5 mins and then switch right away to cold water! feels really good!
My mom went to WALMART and got these items! first i took a warm/ hot shower and put a cream on called ZANFEL kinda spendy but feels really good and opens up the pores.(you use it in the shower). Then when you get out and dry for a like 10 mins put this cream called IVAREST helps itch and slowly makes the ivy go away. both of these items are just at walmart. and the only 2 that WORKED!!!
hope it goes away soon!
rating: 5 (37 votes)
Submitted at 2004-08-13 17:15:47
For poison ivy:
1. Wash body with soap and water after outing
2. If rash detected, apply white vinegar directly to rash, using sterile cotton balls
3. Repeat step 2 several times a day, some stinging and redness may appear (this is the poison being neutralized)
4. Don't scratch
5. Rash should be gone within one or two days
6. Never burn poison ivy (the smoke inhalation will cause internal toxic exposure)
7. See doctor if rash continues
8. Important to start vinegar treatment as soon after exposure as possible
rating: 5 (47 votes)
Submitted at 2009-07-30 21:55:05
run hot hot water over your poison ivy spots for 1 min.or longer. put salt directly on it. Let it stay on there for 30. min at a time. do this 3 times a day until gone. It works!!! Leave salt on and don't rub. rinse salt off after 30 min.
rating: 5 (10 votes)
Submitted by Lisa at 2010-04-13 09:05:26
My son got poison ivy last year in camp. The camp nurse treated him with something called Ivy Off which is a clear gel and comes with a soap to wash the gel off. She gave him what was left in the bottle to take home. I don't know how bad his poison ivy was at camp, but my husband who gets very bad poison ivy reactions all the time used the Ivy Off after he noticed a rash on his leg after mowing the lawn. He said that the itching stopped immediately and the rash just went away. He had tried every product on the market before this, including shots at the dermatologist which didn't work for him. Nothing worked like this stuff! He now swears by it. He takes it along when we go camping and he hasn't had abreak out since he starting using it. We have recommended Ivy Off to several of our friends who also got similar results. Weordered directly from the company. They have a website with all the information on how to contact them www.ivyoff.com.
rating: 5 (32 votes)
Submitted by Nathan at 2010-09-04 03:12:21
I wash with water (preferably with a spray attachment on the shower) as hot as I can stand it, several times a day. Relieves itch for about 10 hours, feels realy good, and helps bring affected area to a head.
rating: 5 (46 votes)
Submitted by Ruthie from Massachusetts at 2010-09-02 08:50:00
Second time this summer(and in my life), that I got poison ivy. First time was what I considered mild. Just a patch on the back of one arm, so I didn't try any remedies. Just washing and applying a medicated lotion. This time, the outbreak is bad and after 3 days is spreading. It's on my hands, wrists and arms and now is spreading to my legs and torso. Purchased Ivyrest wash and caladryl at Walmart. Washing affected areas 5 times a day. And applying caladryl. On 4th day, started trying rubbing alcohol on affected areas followed by a paste of epsom salt made by patting it into the caladryl on all affected areas. This helps the itching and helps with drying.It doesn't look pretty, but after it dries, you can wipe the loose epsom salt off and the residue stays on to provide more drying and itch relief. Also should mention it's very important to wash all your sheets daily, as if you're like me, you may be rubbing the rash on your bedding while you sleep at night, and the oils from the poison ivy will stay on them and reinfect you and cause the rash to spread. Overall, everyone's advice is very helpful. It's important to use degreaser to remove the oils, as soon as you know you've come in contact, and continue to degrease several times a day. Use caldryl, epsom salt or another drying agent to help with the itching and to dry the rash and change your sheets every night to prevent the rash from spreading and/or reoccurring. Hope this is helpful.
rating: 5 (25 votes)
Submitted at 2006-05-05 05:28:18
WAS UP LATE LAST NIGHT ITCHING FROM POISON IVY RASH & FOUND THIS WEBSITE . TRIED THE SALT THING. IT WORKS. WHEN I GET POISON IVY ITS ALWAYS BADDDDDDDDD. THIS IS BEST TEATMENT I HAVE EVER DONE THAT WORKS. I TOLD MY WHOLE FAMILY HOW WELL IT WORKS.
THANKS
rating: 5 (11 votes)
Submitted by Trish at 2005-05-18 13:06:25
I read in a ladies magazine to rub fingernail polish remover with acetone on the rash. Back up with Calamine or Caladryl only if itches or stings which may happen if rash is open. I did this for my son while out of town one Saturday evening hoping it would hold him over until we got back to town on Monday to get a steroid shot from the doctor and by Monday his rash was almost gone.
rating: 5 (16 votes)
Submitted at 2009-02-10 01:59:58
alright many things work like bleach or salt like ive seen but B12 carburetor cleaner works to trust me it sounds weird but it works and thats all that matters.
rating: 5 (8 votes)
Submitted by Jason at 2009-08-24 15:35:17
Just read a comment that said that taking a swim in a good treated pool gets rid of it and that reminds me that that seems to be what has gotten rid of most of my old summer ivy when I was younger. I don't swim much, now, but that salt seems to be working. So, my two favorites are salt and treated pools. If you are younger, I suggest the pool ;)
rating: 5 (8 votes)
Submitted by Will D'Amato at 2004-06-27 20:13:17
Run water on the affected area. Gradually change the temperature from 'warm' to 'as hot as you can stand it' without scalding yourself. This releases the histamines, which cause the itching of the skin. They take about 6-8 hours to build back up thus giving you 6-8 hours of itch-free relief!
rating: 5 (54 votes)
Submitted by jessy lee at 2011-05-10 10:49:59
I'm 13 and I'm a very active person and I was playing out in my yard with my dogs when I saw my dog in a patch of poison ivy so I went to get him out and I fell in it. I showed my mom and my mom told me the best remedy is a thick layer of cortisone cream then a layer of calamine lotion wait till it dries and take a cool shower and it will be gone in 5 days to 1 week.:)
rating: 5 (20 votes)
Submitted by Anna at 2010-02-28 18:37:24
go ahead and use bleach on your poison ivey... the nurses who say do not put chemicals on your body are ignorant. unless you use organic soap you are putting chemicals on your skin multiple times every day...
rating: 5 (41 votes)
Submitted by pi at 2010-06-29 15:48:21
i came in contact with poison ivy unknowingly on friday night, it broke out saturday afternoon in very small patches, and i thought i might not have gotten very bad, then by sunday it was coming on a bit harder, by monday i was in complete agony. it itched so bad i felt like i was taking crazy pills throughout the whole night. tuesday morning i got doc. appointment at 10am and got a cortisone shot, and was prescribed hydroxzine and prednisone. its now a little before 3 and the difference is night and day. i still feel a bit uncomfortable, but the swelling is down and the itching is very minimal. not sure how long for the rash to disappear but i am quite comfortable. if you are allergic to it and break out bad usually just go to doc and get the shot, please, its the only thing that can really make a difference and help you to be comfortable and heal faster.
rating: 5 (24 votes)
Submitted by Ann at 2009-06-03 16:09:41
I went 38 years without an outbreak and now I've had it spread all over my legs. From what I read I was lucky it mostly stopped there. I'm still getting a few spots of it no matter what I do so I've been trying Chlorox on the small bits and it seems to work. Lysal would probably work too. I just want it gone. My doctor suggested bathing in cold water twice a day to wash off the oils from the rash. That seemed to work too. Hot water only opens your pores to more infection so I'd avoid that. Fels Naptha soap has also been recommended to me. Also I bought alchohol rubs to use on the small minor rashes to dry them up fast. For the more serious rashes I'd stick with prednisone and the doctors shot. Those worked wonders though they did take a few days to kick in. Also make sure and wash anything that comes in contact with your sick thoroughly including clothes. Those oil from the plant remain active for years and don't come off easily. That's why I'm probably still getting small breakout.
rating: 5 (14 votes)
Submitted at 2011-03-16 17:41:56
I woke up this morning with the horrible blisters and rash from poison ivy. I know I'm highly sensitive to it and am always extremely cautious when working in the yard. However, the scary thing about this time is I have no idea how I got it! Chin and neck covered and a couple of spots on side of my nose. After reading pages and pages of everyone's home remedies, I decided on the wash using Dawn dish detergent made into a paste with salt. Then following up with Clorox. I moistened my face with lukewarm water then lightly scrubbed on the paste. Gently massaging for a full minute. I rinsed by splashing on the lukewarm water and patted dry with a towel. Dabbed full strength clorox on with a q-tip. I let it air dry while I took my dog for a 20 minute walk. I am not exaggerating at all when I say in that short of time,my chin (which was the worst) looked 100% better!! Can still see a little blistering, but I'm going to do it all again before bed tonight. I work in the public and I think by tomorrow morning with a little make-up, I will be good to go. I am definitely not saying that bleach is the cure all for poison ivy, this is just my experience. My last case of poison ivy was several years ago and I suffered through two months worth of steroids and don't know how many $$ worth of creams, sprays, and gels. The bleach remedy worked for me!
rating: 5 (42 votes)
Submitted at 2006-04-22 00:40:13
i tried everything i could think of to get rid of my poison ivy < whitch i get seriously bad!!> I tried bleach, corizone, calamine, soap, ect. But i finally tired salt and to my surprise it really worked!!!
no more sleepless nights for me!
rating: 5 (20 votes)
Submitted by Patrick at 2011-06-21 17:33:29
I could give a huge backstory of all the times and ways I end of with contact dermatitis from the urushiol oils in poison ivy, but I'll spare you the written misery.
First of all, if you're COVERED in it or have it on your face, stop reading here- it doesn't pertain to you.
If you have a few spots on your arms, legs, or torso bothering you- Read on.
Go spend $5 on a hair bleaching kit, or light blonde hair color. Mix it according to the directions on the packet, and apply to the affected areas. Let it dry, rinse it off, enjoy the itch-free lifestyle once again.
I do NOT recommend popping the blisters beforehand, that's just sadistic and will only hurt more, but whatever tickles your pickle...
This does cause slight chemical burns, but they are VISUALLY no worse than the dermatitis, and it will stop the weeping and the itching. I discovered this method while helping my wife do her hair, she had a quarter-sized patch on her neck and her hair was on it while the hair color was 'doing its thing' for 30 minutes. The next day the blisters were just small dry skin spots, redness was minimal, and by day 2 there was only a slight pink tint to the previously affected area. YMMV. If you try this, feel free to send your results to human4m@gmail.com, but don't waste my time with emails telling me about risks- I'm well aware.
rating: 5 (11 votes)
Submitted by Kyle at 2011-07-22 12:56:52
Ok, so, a few years ago i got an extreamly bad case of poisen ivy, i needed steroids to get it away. for the past 4 years, i've gotten poisen ivy every year, and every year i've needed steroids to get the poisen ivy to go away, but this year has worked out differently.
I got my poisen ivy at a friends house, and my mom instantly called and got me a presciption of steroids, but they were not working!
Personally i think my body might have gotten used to them, and they might not work as well this year, but who knows.
Anyways, i was reading on this website and after a few pages and different remedies, i pieced together my own remedy, which seems to work amazingly.
Step 1: if you know you have poisen ivy, take a shower (a bath will let the oil sit on top of the water and spread everywhere!) with cold water! I don't mean luke warm water, i mean ice cold water, as cold as your shower will let you go. This will give you reliefe, and will not open your pores. There is really no need for soap, as the purpose of this is to get the oil off you skin, and soap can actually make the oil stick to your skin
Step 2: go to a sink, and take out your dish soap (i suggest Dawn, but most mainstream dishsoaps should work [not tested]) and scrub with a washcloth. Don't just wash over, push down full force and scrub as hard as you can, you want the blisters open. Now this might sound wierd, but do this with HOT WATER. you already have the oil off you skin, therefore the ivy can't spread anywhere, and the hot water will open up your pores for the next step
Step 3: Use any acne cream/topical you can find. I used proactive daily oil control (got the idea from a post on the first page [thank you whoevers idea that was, its amazing]), but the ance cream/lotion dries out your skin, and thats what you want. now, if you used hot water like you should have in step two, the lotion will sink into your pores, and will get deeper and closer to the poisen ivy. once again all you want to do is dry out your skin and get the oil away.
Step 4: REPEAT! i did this over and over, about 5 times a day, obbsesive - probably, helpful - you bet
and don't be afraid to get it close to your eyes, proactive and other ance control creams and oils are suppose to be around your eyes, nose, and mouth, so get as close and you can.
I hope this helps whoever reads it, and thank you everyone for posting on this site, its helped me and others a lot.
P.S. For quick relife, fill a baggy with ice and place over the affected area, it'll cool it down and you will fell no itch.
rating: 5 (11 votes)
Submitted at 2009-07-24 06:01:44
Ok I just tried bleach. I actually used a clorox bleach pen. Painted it on the rash rubbed it in, let it sit for 30 seconds or so and then washed with dish liquid. It slowed the itching down instantly. Remember to remove you rings. Good luck
rating: 5 (2 votes)
Submitted at 2011-05-17 22:28:58
This may sound odd, but hemorrhoidal ointment works wonders on poison ivy. You can buy the generic brand super cheap. It's a really thick cream and will stay on the applied area for several hours. It is amazing how fast the rash will heal.
rating: 5 (21 votes)
Submitted by ShyShy at 2011-07-11 11:45:29
Poison Ivy,
I tried hydrocortisone cream, then I tried rubbing alcohol both did not work. I still scratched & was miserable.
My husband used to work for a landscaping company & told me to use a wet wash cloth with salt & scrub the affected area. It stung, but it hasn't bothered me since. The only problem...I had to admit my husband was right ; )
rating: 5 (26 votes)
Submitted by Tammy at 2010-08-19 10:03:41
Aveeno Anti-Itch Cream, Natural Oatmeal: Calamine 3.0%, Pramoxine HCI 1.0%, Camphor 0.47%. This worked better than salt, vineger, Hydrocortisone Butyrate, and Dermoplast 081910
rating: 5 (11 votes)
Submitted at 2010-07-13 23:51:01
Last weekend I broke out (for no apparent reason) in this nasty, red, burning rash on a section of my lower left leg. I've never had poison ivy, but I compost in my backyard and thought that maybe that's what it was. then I remembered that our friendly neighborhood cat had rubbed against me in that exact same spot! A-ha! While reading about poison ivy and natural remedies online I read that many people get it from their cats or other pets. Anyway, first I thoroughly washed and dried the area, then I applied white vinegar on a cotton ball to it. The relief was almost immediate. The redness and swelling greatly reduced over the course of the day. I've been applying it 3 times or so each day. The redness is still there a bit (this is like day 3 of it), but I did read that it can take up to 4 weeks to heal completely.
rating: 5 (29 votes)
Submitted at 2011-06-12 15:28:22
I had oozing blisters on my wrists so I;
1. Rubbed them with isopropyl alcohol (i like using a q-tip)to break the blister open.
2. Applied a gritty mix of salt and dawn Dish soap (it was green anti-bacterial but i do not know if that is relavent) and let the mix dry.
I dont know exactly why (too far removed from my chemistry days) but this fixed me up. I did not have a severe case but it was quite bothersome. I had blisters on both wrists where my gloves and long sleeve shirt didn't quite protect me. I tried traditional treatments (store bought CRAP) on one wrist and gave up after 2 days b/c the other wrist was almost healed up from the alcohal/salty dawn method. Plus only one blister took more than one application. I would love to know the chemistry behind this method and if it would work on more severe cases.
rating: 5 (16 votes)
Submitted by Joy at 2006-06-26 02:09:29
I read these remedies, added a few of them to my own and got great relief. WOW! My whole face and arms are covered in poison ivy. Swollen and miserable. I wet some dolomite clay, smudged it all over my face, neck, and arms and let it dry. It itched like crazy and I felt like I was turning into a dried raisen, but alot of the puffiness went out of my face. When I could stand it no longer, I took the hottest bath I could stand to rinse off. The bath had a lot of salt and baking soda in it. OOOh that felt good. After a good soak, I rubbed salt gently onto all my itchy spots. OW that stung! I let it set as long as I could stand, then rinsed again. I am a new person! I had four hours of total relief. The swelling has stayed down in my face. I have had some spots of itchiness, but nothing bad ever since. When it itches, I find something that stings like the salt or vinegar. When it oozes, I use something that dries, like dome boro (Awesome stuff) or dolomite or baking soda. When It feels too dry and cracky, I soothe it with aloevera. Thank you God, and thank you every body! I was planning on going to the doc tomorrow, but I will not have too.
rating: 5 (7 votes)
Submitted by Ian at 2008-05-19 01:09:37
Poison ivy i have learned spreads and itches more if you put heat to it. if you get an ice pack and put it bare on your skin it will stop itching.
also if you take a plant called jewelweed and boil it. it makes a tea that you can drink(i dont) or you can apply it direcly to the area wth cotton balls. for a longer lasting effect place soaked cottonballs on the area and wrap it with gauze
rating: 5 (7 votes)
Submitted by Larry at 2011-04-05 21:22:59
Last year 2010 we purchased a new house and dreams of enjoying the natural view exciting.Noticing it had
poison ivy and sumac growing on the property . I was supposedly immune to the ivy so I thought and started pulling it out because my wife is very allergic to it.
Well after 60 years I found out that things have changed an I was now very much allergic to this weed.
Things went from bad to worse and after 7 days I was covered in the welts from the oils weeping from the at first few wounds I had , I was completely covered in the stuff and eyes almost swollen shut.
Going to the doctor I was given a very strong dose of predneszone 21 days and a needle of the steroid.50 mg's fr the first 5 days.It took almost two months before I was blemish free.
This year 2011 the march snows has just melted and I again went outside to clean the yard from all the damage caused from the winter winds.It took a rotten log covered in vines to infect me once again with the urisol oils of this ivy plant to one arm from my elbow to wrist.
This time I washed and applied the heat from the hair dryer to activate the histamines and stop the itch then with an alcohol wipe cleaned the affected area , let dry and covered with calamine lotion.
Hopefully knowing now what I went through last year I will be able to keep ahead of this allergic reaction to my body and to keep it from spreading.
The hair dryer does a wonderful job at
stopping the itch.
I have some Jewelweed seeds to plant this year so hopefully I can get a grip on the poison plants at my new home.
Love the itch
rating: 5 (29 votes)
Submitted by Barb at 2007-07-15 06:51:35
This is more of a prevention...To keep from getting poison ivy, oak ect.. I spray my arms and legs with Secret spray deoderant. My Doctor told me about it 5 years ago and knock on wood I haven't had it since.Now i can do all the yard work I want and no worries!!!The deoderant keeps the oil from the poison from staying on your skin.
Good Luck!!!
rating: 5 (26 votes)
Submitted by Kat at 2008-09-13 07:39:54
Think about it as the irritation & blistering are the result of the oil from the poison ivy plant binding to the layer of my skin
My latest home remedy:
1) Make a pultice:
a) 1 tbsp. instant oatmeal (any kind) what
b. 1 tbsp. table salt (rock salt best)
c. 1 tsp. baking soda
d. 1 - 2 tbsp. vinegar
2. Take a hot shower and wash with soap. Use something to scrub the areas and lots of soap. Rinse well. Now, use the mixture and rub and scrub on areas. Look for small new spots. Exfloliate and dry well. (Use it like sandpaper)
3) Use just the liquid part of the mixture to spread a light layer over areas. Air dry or use a fan. .
4) Wrap the large blistered skin areas with plastic wrap!! Yes, plastic wrap for about 2 hours.
4) Went to sleep it was bedtime. The next morning I was shocked! This worked so well for me!!! I was only left with the dark, dry areas .... NO MORE BLISTERS. YEA!!! Keep it clean. I just used the liquid part of mix the next day to be sure! I patted in on all areas. Let it dry.
I usually have to go to the doctor for steriod shot or table dose pack.
Yea!
rating: 5 (19 votes)
Submitted by Bee on Thyme at 2011-11-21 13:21:25
I got my poison ivy diagnosed by two drs.-one a GP and the other a dermatolgist. The itch/rash first appeared on my left forearm and moved to my right forarm the next day. More and more itchy red streaks and spots began to appear as the weekend progressed.I talked to another teacher that said something bit her on the leg too. Then I got nervous...I thought I've been bit??? What bites you and keeps on biting and moving across your body and you can't see it? But the itching and bites appear...OMG...SCABIES????
So I think I have scabies and use melaleca -lemon grass oil-coconut oil-oregano oil-dr perscribed triamcinalone for contact dermatitus-nothing working...so I am sitting in school after 2nd dr. says its poison ivy. I look up this site and see that someone used white shoe polish.
Hm...I look around at what I have here at school...I try white vinegar first...stings-but so what...stinging is minor compared to the fire...but that doesn't stop the pain. THEN I look thru my drawer and find White-Out. The stuff used to correct type errors. I paint it on...and lo and behold the stinging and itch have stopped. Maybe its temporary---but it is working for now. And I am grateful for the relief.
So weird that I got poison Ivy - I have been outside on my farm literally everyday...since early spring. Then it gets cold and I stay indoors and voila...Poison Ivy? Very disconcerting...where did I get it????
rating: 5 (6 votes)
Submitted by Fernando at 2010-07-22 13:55:12
I have poison ivy for my second time in my life, and the absolute best stuff to stop the itch is Bactine Pain Relieving Cleansing Spray. It works almost instantly when sprayed on the infected area. the itch is taken care of plus it has antiseptic so your rash wont get infected. Use it as needed, i need it about every 3 to 4 hours.
Trust me, i have tried everything; cortisone cream, calamine lotion, witch hazel, gold bond powder, aveno anti itch cream, even bleach! And none of them work as well, although its not a cure, it makes living with the rash bearable. I take a bottle of the stuff with me everywhere. I hope this helps.
rating: 5 (22 votes)
Submitted by The Lawn Ranger of Cincinnati, LLC at 2009-07-17 02:18:38
I own a landscape and lawn care business, and I have never had any poison ivy, oak, sumac and I pull it all the time. Well, this summer as fate has it, I got it... I searched hi and low for a quick fix, all the home remedies didn't touch it. I finally went to walgreens and picked up a tube a tecnu extreme and it worked in about 15 seconds just like they said. I did however see that someone said something about using a hand cleaner for grease etc...tecnu is something like that. It is gritty and feels about the same consistancy....but above all, it worked very well with the itching and burning, and it cleared it up quickly.
rating: 5 (10 votes)
Submitted by Kim at 2007-09-28 17:27:25
I’ve read all the other cures and most of them seem so painful and none of them ever worked for me. I finally have learned the secret old time preventive cure that is so easy, inexpensive and painless.
I’ve been allergic to poison ivy all of my 43 yrs. I can get it by looking at it through binoculars. The doctors kept telling me the oils from the leaves only stay in your skin for 2 weeks. BULL!! I would get into it in early spring, around April, and would have it until Sept or Oct-first freeze. It would end up in 3”X12” areas of living oozing mass. It seemed to have its own life. I finally ran into a lady camping about 5 years ago that told me her grandmother’s old cure. It is inexpensive, something most everyone has in their cupboard, and is a preventive as well as dries up existing poison ivy. My husband and I usually only take this once in the early spring and we don’t get poison ivy or oak the rest of the summer. If we are going to be rounding up cattle and know we’ll be near and around poison ivy in the fall, we’ll take another dose for safety measure. This is so simple. Take 1 teaspoon of Cream of Tartar (used to make meringue for cream pies) and mix with water-drink. It’s very bitter, like drinking vinegar, but it’s well worth a bad taste in your mouth compared to the suffering of poison ivy. I usually mix it with as little water as possible and have a fresh glass on the side to wash it down.
If I get poison ivy before I got around to taking this remedy it still works. If the rash is bothering me, though, I’ll add water to the cream of tartar and rub it on a couple of times a day. It’s usually gone within a couple of days.
rating: 5 (14 votes)
Submitted at 2003-11-07 17:47:18
Take goldenseal and vitamin C every day for inflammation.
rating: 5 (25 votes)
Submitted at 2007-04-02 09:36:31
Today marks the 14th day since being in contact with poison ivy in my own back yard, and I'm still itchy with a rash. I had the brilliant idea of having the kids help me do yard work during spring break.
Between the Benadryl, shot and steroid from the doctor all I ended up with was dry skin where I don't have rashes!
I tried the salt rub and it is great. Especially where I have the blisters between my fingers. Just rinse off the salt in cool water, warm water burns a little.
rating: 5 (9 votes)
Submitted by Crystal Goode at 2011-07-21 22:32:30
First off I seem to get poison ivy if I'm within 100 feet of it. In other words I've had it a few times the first thing I do when I realize I have it is no scratching at all what so ever it just spreads it and makes it so much worse. At night I always put itch medicine on a gauze pad put it on the rash and wrap with an ACE bandage this keeps the itching down over night and also keeps you from scratching in your sleep and spreading it to another body part. then I use a mixture of salt and an oil removing face wash of some kind I mix that into a paste and scrub to my hearts content it feels really good i normally scrub till it hurts and feels raw then i let sit about 8 min and rinse with cold water skin feels numb after no matter what your probably going to have to do this a few times nothing but very very mild cases will clear over night your skin has to heal just like with any normal blister after the area stops weeping and oozing don't do the scrub switch to Neosporin to help the area heal faster the itch should be pretty much over by now you might still have some itching from the healing hope this helps!
rating: 5 (9 votes)
Submitted at 2009-06-15 15:20:21
neutrogena oil free acne wash it removes the oils
rating: 5 (6 votes)
Submitted at 2011-05-23 20:29:33
I get this stuff called Tecnu you can only find it at a CVS but its hard to find.It smells like varnish but it dries its out quick. Or Ive also used straight rubbing alcohol break the blistes and pour it on Stings a little bit but it works
rating: 5 (24 votes)
Submitted at 2010-08-27 06:19:18
Nail polish remover was recommended to me by a pharmacist friend. Or Right Guard deodorant spray. I think it is the acetone in either so make sure if you use nail polish remover you don't use the acetone free. It works well for me especially if you use it right away and several times in the first day or two, it dries up quickly and does not spread
rating: 5 (21 votes)
Submitted by Ashley at 2009-02-28 14:12:41
OK so i get poision ivy on my face at least 2wice a year and when i get it its baddd!! i have tried all kinds of home remedies (the ones that sounded safe to use on my face) and none of them seemed to work very well. So right now i have poision ivy and last night my mom picked up this lotion called Sarna at walmart. i was skeptic at first but after i put it on i felt immidately better! it burns a little at first but within munuites my face didnt burn ofr itch anymore instead it felt cool and open. It worked wonders for me i hope the same for you!
rating: 5 (8 votes)
Submitted by Stella at 2011-09-28 15:52:37
My experience with PI was the most miserable experience I've had in my 60 years. What helped a little was CVS Muscle rub that had capsican and wintergreen oil. In the end, I took a half empty pump bottle of hairspray, topped it off with more rubbing alcohol and sprayed that on the rash after washing with soap & water. The alcohol dried the rash & the thickeners acted like a spray on band - aid. But my observation is this: The itching was much worse and way uncontrollable if I had any sweet stuff, even fruit, in my diet. A glass of wine made sick for a day and a half. For the last couple days I've taken a beta carotene supplement & I can see the lesions drying up. Vitamin A promotes healthy skin, and I'm playing to that. Be careful with the beta carotene (or vitamin A) & take the recommended minimum dose. You don't want it accumulating in your liver. But that and a low carb diet makes it bearable after a week of the most excruciating itching I have ever suffered.
rating: 5 (8 votes)
Submitted by Ken Reihl at 2005-08-09 10:54:30
For a case of Poison Ivy the best way to take care of it for me is a plant called Jewelweed. In most areas Jewelweed grows neear Poison Ivy. Look in damp soil near brooks, lakes, etc. This plant grows up to 3 to 4 feet and you will see Yellow, Pink, Purple, or Orange flowers depending on the area you live in. The native American's used this treatment in the past and it worked for me. First wash the infected area with dish washing soap then pick the Jewelweed plant and crush the steam of the plant and apply the paste to the poison ivy. The plant will give a clear liquid. This will attack the oil which allows poison ivy to spread. Lastly DO NOT cover the infected area. It needs to dry out in the air. Jewelweed will also help with the itching. Good Luck
rating: 5 (13 votes)
Submitted at 2011-06-29 16:30:22
I got poision ivy somehow between my toes and it hurts to walk but to stop itching completly take cold water and baking soda and mix it until it turns pasty. Then keep it on there for about 5 mins and then take it off. when it dries i put calamine lotion on it and leave it until it dries completly the calamine lotion will dry up the rash completly and will go away in a few days depending on how bad it is hope it works.
rating: 5 (18 votes)
Submitted by UngersPride at 2006-06-07 17:50:33
Here is more information related to my post above.
Many of you who have poison ivy must still go to work.
Here is an effective way to treat poison ivy while you are working:
1) Fill a small plastic bottle with apple cider vinegar (ordinary grocery store variety will do).
2) Every few hours when you are at work (either in the washroom or in some other quiet spot) apply this apple cider vinegar to the affected spots.
3) Apple cider vinegar will dry quickly; it is practically oderless when dry (apply some cologne afterwards if you feel self-conscious); and it leaves NO visible trace on your skin.
4) This will continue to work on your poison ivy while you are working and will relieve the itch.
If you follow the information contained in this post and in the one above, you will see dramatic results within TWO DAYS.
The medical profession states that poison ivy may last from 14 to 20 days. That is complete nonsense.
I had a severe case of poison ivy last week and I got rid of it within THREE DAYS.
Whatever you do, do not buy Calmine Lotion, the pink cement from hell...
Other things that help stop the itch and promote healing of poison ivy are:
1) 99% Isopropanol - just lightly apply this to the poison ivy. It feels wonderful.
2) Jalapeno juice - if you can't find it, then grind up some fresh Jalapenos mixed with apple cider vinegar. Lightly spread it on the affected areas. This works wonders.
rating: 5 (20 votes)
Submitted by Big D at 2010-11-17 23:08:34
Most won't want to try this but works for me. I work outside, and I am in weeds & such like year round. I've used OTC & RX, & keeping clean & other home remidies, some work some don't. When I am outside and notice the fist small bumps I bust the bumps & rub DIRT on the bumps, It dries the liquid in the poision. Most of the time it takes care of the rash & itch. Like I said most probably won't use it, but many animals injured will clean the injured area & then get dirt (not mud) in the area to help it heal. Good luck
rating: 5 (32 votes)
Submitted at 2007-03-13 14:12:46
A combination of medical knowledge and home remedy: the irritation & blistering are the result of the oil from the poison ivy plant binding to the layer of skin exposed -- that's what medical science says and those blisters don't contain any of the irritant, only fluid from your own body like any other blister (think blisters from wearing new shoes). Therefore -- and this is the home remedy part -- what you need to do is get rid of the layer of skin to which the irritant has bonded. Exfloliate! Exfloiate and dry it out! (That's why the sandpaper idea here isn't totally nuts--and why some people cut open the blisters -- because an open wound is less painful and easier to heal than that whole patch of blistered skin sitting there for weeks.) But keep the area clean so you don't get an infection. Rubbing salt on the area will exfoliate the affected skin and dry the blisters. I pour Purell on the blistered area and top it with table salt. Rub vigorously and leave a paste of the same on the area. It's clear within days instead of weeks! And the iching stops right away!
rating: 5 (6 votes)
Submitted by DANIELLE at 2007-10-17 15:01:57
I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING FROM CALAMINE TO BLEACH TO OATMEAL BATHS, BENEDRYLE, TECNU ZANFLEX, HOT BATHS, LYE SOAP,BURTS PIOSON IVY SOAP, PILLS STEROIDS, SHOTS, ANTIBIOTICS, CORTAID, DISHSOAP...EVERYTHING!!!!!! II JUST TRIED THE SALT RUB AND WITH GREAT RESULTS SO FAR IT HAS STOPPED THE ITCHING. I HAVE HAD PIOSON IVY FOR 7 MONTHS NOW AND WAS READY TO ACCEPT THIS IS SOMETHING I WOULD HAVE FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE! SO FAR IM NOT ITCHING. LETS HOPE IT GOES AWAY! GOOD LUCK
rating: 5 (10 votes)
Submitted by Stacey Terry at 2007-06-13 11:47:54
I had poison ivy 4 times last summer and it's back again, quite severely. Last year I went the prednisone and medical doctor route with little success. Refusing to take prednisone ever again, this year I tried a naturopath and between the hot water showers as described on some internet sites and the naturopathic aids, I finally feel like I have a decent solution.
Hot hot showers - gradually increase the water to as hot as you can stand it. The itching will become intense (don't use your nails... just rub!), but it will feel incredibly good and give you anywhere from 4 - 8 hours of itching relief depending on how bad your poison ivy is and how long you stay under the hot water. Be careful not to burn yourself!
Bad blisters - during the day I dip a sterile patch in a saline solution (1 teaspoon of sea salt to 1 cup of water) and place them on the blisters. I cover this with either a light guaze or tensor bandage, and yes, it stings a little. When removing, run the saline solution over the bandages to help prevent the skin ripping. This seems to help dry the blisters during the day and keeps me from scratching at them.
Ointment - 'Candula' made from marigolds. It greatly reduces the inflammation more than anything medical I tried last year. But it's a bit oily, so I just use it on the blisters that are starting to get that dried up look, and I use a clean paper towel to apply.
Immune System - Since poison ivy is an allergic response, try to help out your immune system. I increase my vitamin C significantly. You can find information on the internet about how to do a 'vitamin C flush'. I also increase my intake of herring oil which seems to improve my skin's ability to heal.
There no comparison to how quickly I'm healing this year compared to last, and I'd say the hot showers and the vitamin C are the two biggest influences.
rating: 5 (9 votes)
Submitted by Holly at 2007-07-11 00:22:31
My Husband has had Posion oak every year. We put lysol on it. It works wonders.
rating: 5 (10 votes)
Submitted at 2008-04-03 08:01:00
My husband has poison ivy and I have poison sumac. The best thing we have found is taking a hot bath with Aveeno oatmeal (a poultice can be made from oatmeal for facial areas), immediately drying off and covering affected areas with rubbing alcohol. After the alcohol dries cover areas with tea tree oil - stops the itching almost immediately and helps area heal.
BEWARE!! I read somewhere on this site to eat a leaf for a cure. This can be extremely toxic and even fatal.
rating: 5 (5 votes)
Submitted by joe from the H at 2008-06-23 22:40:01
yea i got it on my face and its real bad but yea i took a shower today in the hot water and it helps alot !!!!!but the best thing to do is just keep on puting hot water on it so all the jucies can leak and go away !!!then put the bleach on it !!but at night put that pink lotion on u kno wut im talkin about !!!!! dont scratch it !!
rating: 5 (13 votes)
Submitted by Ken at 2008-09-29 19:02:24
This is the best thing, so far, for my poison ivy. I took a HOT bath today and poured epsom salts all over the rash. I then sat on the edge of the bath and rubbed the salt into the rash and let it sit on the rash for about 10 min before going back in the water. Soak in tub for 15min and repeat salt rub. Then I dabbed the rash with hydrogen peroxide. An hour or so later the redness has diminished and the itch is the best it's been in a week. I've also increased my vitamin c/echinacea intake to help boost my immunity and overall health. Let's hope this works.
rating: 5 (9 votes)
Submitted by chad at 2010-05-04 22:08:26
ok i used a cheap off the wall acne treatment from walmart and rubbed it on my arm for about 10 minutes and then washed it off and then used palmolive dish soap and all the itching went away and even felt like the poison ivy was already tightening up on my arm
rating: 5 (20 votes)
Submitted at 2010-08-19 20:04:09
after 50 years with no affects of poison ivy. this year was my first. after the second attack. the first lasting 14 days. and after trying all of the over the counter remedies. i went to my grandmothers herbal books and found a remedy that got rid of the reaction and symptoms in 2 days. mix 50/50 rhubarb and aloe juices together.rub the gels over the infected areas. also taking a couple of herbal supplements. Echinacea and Goldenseal. these will naturally help with the inflamation from the inside. follow usage directions. some people may not be able to use them. it really works. a natural way of cure. it really works
rating: 5 (24 votes)
Submitted by gabby at 2010-06-28 10:22:01
i cant believe this!!!! i have poison ivy all over my legs and i dont even know how i got it. at first i didnt know what it was because i never had it (my grandmother has a similiar story, she thought it was a weed because iot was crawling all over her garden fence and so she started ripping it all down, and the next day she went on vacation). and get this, my mom didnt know what it was either so she told me to squeeze it (her solution to everything 'just squeeze it gabby'). overnight it got worse and it itched so bad i was probably scratching in my sleep!!! my stepdad's remedy is to itch, put rubbing alchol on it (not whitch hazel), then put calamine lotion on it. this will burn but it'll remnind you not to itch it so much. hope it goes away and leaves no scars!!! p.s. watch out where you are going next time!!! p.s.s dont shower in hot water it will open your pores (duh!) and then it will soften the poison ivy and when you dry yourself you'll rub it all around (p.s.s.s dont rub dry, pat dry, this also limits wrinkels).
rating: 4 (21 votes)
Submitted by Bluegilln at 2004-07-29 00:39:49
Search for yourself >>> Liquid shoe polish to dry the oozing and also relieve the itch. Pick your color.
rating: 4 (17 votes)
Submitted at 2010-06-18 10:26:58
i am extremely sensitive to poison ivy. yesterday, i noticed taht i had a two-inch streak of it on my left cheek. all day i applied rubbing alcohol to the area, once every two hours. around eight pm, i purchased cortaid poison ivy scrub. it was only about $10 at wal-mart. now, every hour, i use the scrub as directed and then follow it up with an application of isopropyl rubbing alcohol. it's 9:30am and the swelling is down, the itch is gone, and my poison ivy isn't spreading. i hope this works for you too!
rating: 4 (15 votes)
Submitted by logan at 2009-09-10 22:34:42
I used a syringe & salt & vinager and mixed tha salt with tha vinager and sucked it up with tha syringe and put lil dots on each bump and let it set there 4 3-5 min. It worked 4 me so tell me if it worked 4 u and ull c lil white dotes on top surface of the bumps. thnx
rating: 4 (14 votes)
Submitted by Steve at 2010-05-24 23:54:39
POISON IVY REMEDY...
METHOD 1
Some Like it hot... A good way to speed up the process of this rotten rash is heat... HEAT??? (yes simple hot water under a tap, as hot as you can stand it! Do it and it will itch like crazy at first, but the heat will deaden the itch, (so you can at least get a good night's sleep :)
Recommended 120-140 degrees F (the average temprature range of hot water from the tap.(Raise the heat factor by increments, so you don't burn yourself...) !!!DO NOT USE BOILING OR NEAR BOILING WATER!!! Pat afected area dry with white towel... GOOD BYE ROTTEN ICH... Repeat as often as necessary :)
METHOD 2
Use Blow Dryer and hold as close to affected area as comfort allows :) !!!ALWAYS BE CAREFUL NOT TO OVERDO IT AND BURN YOURSELF.!!!NEVER USE THE BLOW DRYER NEAR THE SINK OR BATHTUB!!!
rating: 4 (32 votes)
Submitted by Casey at 2010-06-24 22:07:35
Im a logger and I get poison ivy several times a year one thing that seems to work well for me is lava hand soap it cuts grease and seems to offer a faster recovery than anything else ive tried. I use it in the shower and lather and rinse 3 times really scrubing the area well hope it helps you.
rating: 4 (10 votes)
Submitted at 2010-10-30 12:37:24
tobassco works great for this just poor it on
rating: 4 (30 votes)
Submitted by Itchy Mom at 2010-06-07 10:57:58
I am very prone to get poison ivey even if i look at it it seems. I have been to the Doctor before and taken steroids, as well as letting it heal on its on. the best remedy I have found so far after trying salt, alcohol, etc. which burn & can damage your skin, is Gold Bond powder. I recently contacted the nasty stuff again, and have used poison ivey gel to help with the oozing. When I began putting Gold bond powder on my face, legs, & hands they began to get relief from itching & started to dry up. I also take a Benadryl at night to sleep rather than itch. the best remedy is to watch out for leaves of three and stay away.
rating: 4 (18 votes)
Submitted at 2011-05-19 14:01:06
Bleach, bust it open where it has pus and bleeding the pour bleach on it. It burns like crazy but kills the poison ivy
rating: 4 (35 votes)
Submitted at 2010-05-03 16:08:17
i just tried the baking soda and vinegar paste. but usually i just scratch the rash and then rub straight bleach over the rash. it will burn like hell but it should relive the itch and dry up the rash
rating: 4 (17 votes)
Submitted at 2011-05-14 14:42:37
old army trick... pee on the rash, (use your own urine, not your buddy's. urine is 100% sanitary, its even safe to drink, but only to the person it belongs to) let it dry, wash with soap and cold water. the itch will go away instantly. continue this treatment for a few days and the rash will disappear. sounds gross, i know, but it works. and doesn't cost a dime.
rating: 4 (33 votes)
Submitted at 2009-06-15 15:16:33
i have found that opening the poison ivy rash then flushing it with hydrogen peroxide(stuff for cleaning cuts)works very well
rating: 4 (8 votes)
Submitted at 2009-09-02 22:47:08
You guys are saving my life. It is too late to go to a store. The worst thing I did was put a band aid over it - had to cover it b/c I had a job interview this afternoon! It spread like crazy.
The nail polish remover helped a little. The salt with a nail brush scrubbed on my arms is great. As it ooozes I keep adding salt. Hope I can sleep. Thanks everyone.
rating: 4 (8 votes)
Submitted at 2006-07-06 21:36:27
I get poison ivy every year. Probably from my cat. Running water as hot as I can stand over the rash helps (not hot enough to burn yourself)6-8 hrs
rating: 4 (7 votes)
Submitted by Paramedic101 at 2007-04-08 09:34:59
Hello, I've served the city of New Orleans, LA for almost 13 years as a paramedic. I have finished reading some of the input on the site and wanted to clear up some local myth's. Most common misconception... Once infected with Poison Ivey simply scatching can not spread rash. It seems to spread because the body react's to the poison at different rates. (2) Direct contact with plant or contact with object that hold the poison will cause spread. Scratching and bursting the blisters can and most likely will cause infection of the area. Remedies: A topical anti-biotic ointment such as benedryl paste will relieve itching as well as help heal any beginning infections. Clearing the infection site: The key is drying infected areas. Rubbing Alcohol works perfectly. Steps: If severe itching occurs apply benedryl to relieve itching, clear ointment and gently burst blisters and dry area with cloth, apply rubbing alcohol to area 2-3 time's per day. Use benedryl periodically to relieve itching. Rash will clear up in 1-2 day's.
rating: 4 (15 votes)
Submitted by MARK at 2004-07-05 12:44:01
Dilute one half rubbing alcohol with one half water. Dab on with cotton balls or use a squirt bottle set for misting. The alcohol will cut through the oily resin.
rating: 4 (12 votes)
Submitted by really works at 2009-01-08 21:39:36
so i am extremly i mean EXTREMLY allergic to poison ivy but i found someting that works: mix together table salt, olive oil, dawn dish soap, and aloe vera until it forms a paste. apply to the effected area and rub gently. the salt draws out the toxins and dry the area while the olive oil provides moisture and the aloe gives a cooling sensation. let me know how it works for you
rating: 4 (12 votes)
Submitted by Lynn Turner at 2009-06-30 21:01:39
for poison ivy rash: make a paste of Baking soda , vinegar, water, oatmeal or Aveno and dishwashing liguid. Apply to skin & let dry. Rinse off with cool water.
rating: 4 (4 votes)
Submitted by Kevin at 2009-07-26 01:01:21
Every Saturday I run this trail with my cross country team, and it is FULL of poison ivy. When I am done I always rub PURELL from the porta john all over my legs and arms. Every once in a while, i will get a rash where i didnt put purell but I just rub more purell on it and it burns really bad but stops itching and completly stops spreading. Hope it helps
rating: 4 (4 votes)
Submitted by T at 2009-09-16 02:35:27
Don't waste your money on creams or the other stuff and especially doctors and their steroids. Try salt first..or apple cider vinegar. especially if really bad case. Something that is natural and always works for me instantly if you can spend about $8 is Burt's Bees Poison Ivy Soap. I bought it yrs ago and forget I have it. I just used it on my poison ivy and it instantly stops the itching and leaves a clean feeling and bumps are already clearing up. I also did a test area on my worst spot using Bleach..it decreased the size of the bumps but it feels very dry like I've been swimming all day. following up with the BB. The Burt's Bees PI Soap that i have contains only Jewelweed, Clay, and Pine Tar. BB's is sold at CVS, Walgreens etc.. but not sure if they sell the soap..Got mine at a health store yrs ago. I paid $3.69 but now I see they have a new formula with added ingredients and selling for $8. good luck.
rating: 4 (12 votes)
Submitted by Pam at 2010-04-09 12:11:27
Quite by accident I discovered that 'Orange' Antibacterial Joy dishwashing liquid and hot,hot water to rinse relieved the itching of my poison ivy and dryed it up very quickly.
rating: 4 (12 votes)
Submitted by Jonesy at 2009-07-19 21:33:27
55 years old and still hate poison Ivy. My Mom used to clean my entire body with a Tincture of green medicated soap. It is a body detergent for surgical use, Is 30% alcohol. I use it and I believe it has hepled me from getting it, as long as I clean the area with in a half hour. I believe it cleans the oil off your skin. , keeps the open wounds clean and I feel clean using it. I clean the infected area when I shower. I just bought a pint on amazon.com for about $4. a gal is around $100. There is also a new product out called Zanfel, It works, it is a wash, cleans the oil and relieves itching, CVS has it's own brand which 1/2 the $$$$. At work we have spray cans of degreaser, cleans the oil, I hope?, Good luck to everyone, Poison Ivy sucks !
rating: 4 (7 votes)
Submitted by Debbie at 2008-07-03 12:29:46
As a mother of 8 children, I have dealt with poison ivy many times. One of the best products I have found is a handmade soap with jewelweed in it. Jewelweed is the natural antedote for poison ivy/oak. I found this bar at sadie's herbal garden, a amall soap shop in my town. They do have a web site www.sadiesherbalgarden.com...Try it you won't be disappointed...
rating: 4 (6 votes)
Submitted at 2009-03-18 13:35:15
When I get poison ivy, I get it bad. Recently, I've tried the bleach thing and it works fairly well. But there's something that has worked for me ever since I was a kid. Try scratching the blisters open and then going swimming in a chlorinated swimming pool. This has ALWAYS worked for me, and it didn't require any work! It seems to just dry it up within a matter of hours. Hope everyone else has as much success with it as I did.
rating: 4 (3 votes)
Submitted at 2010-05-06 14:48:54
Tecnu + Caladryl + clay facial mask has gotten rid of most of the weeping, itchy rash 4 days after exposure to poison ivy + eating a mango. Now my question is, how to scrub off the red scaly scabby skin that remains, before a job interview tomorrow?!
rating: 4 (19 votes)
Submitted by Crystal at 2011-06-07 13:45:12
Ok i get very bad cases of poison EVERYTHING, even my eyes will swell shut! so i decided that since we are supposed to take benadryl or sudafed orally i was going to turn them into paste with honey and apply it topically. I have it on right now, it gives you a soothing burning sensation.
Here is the mixture:
take 1 sudafed allergy pill, place it in a bowl, put 1 tiny drop of water on the pill to make it easy to crush, then take the backside of a spoon and smash the pill into a powder.
then cut 2 benadryl pills open them and pour in the bowl on top of the sudafed pile.
take the spoon and put about a tsp of honey on top of the powders, then stir into a paste.
Apply pasted to affected area and allow to dry, then take a wet washcloth and gently rub off the solution.
*MAKE SURE NOT TO GET INTO EYES.
* personally i am going to keep my paste on as long as possible, but do what is comfortable for you.
I will comment on my results.
rating: 4 (17 votes)
Submitted by Megan at 2007-08-10 15:31:56
I have poison all over my body it started on my arms then to my legs then my back then all over. My back has the worst itch and theres not much cure for on your back. I itch all over! It's horrible. I got it from a patch by my friends pool with some other plants around it and not knowing it was poison I hit it everytime I went to jump. I go to my grandmas every morning and she has a gel. Its by Band-Aid and its called Anti Itch Gel. It freezes the poison so it has a relaxed feeling and the itch is gone! This stuff is only $2.99 which isn't bad if it works. And it does! Well I hope you all have goodluck with this product. I did!
rating: 4 (12 votes)
Submitted by Diane at 2011-11-06 02:35:31
Up all night with a miserable case, rummaging through medicine cabinets for anything I can find to stop the unbearable itching. Found a bottle of that blue cool gel they sell for sunburn relief, the one we have has aloe in it as well. It has lidocaine which is a numbing agent. Seems to be working for a while anyway...worth a try!
rating: 4 (7 votes)
Submitted at 2011-07-06 23:02:41
I have a mild case of poison ivy but I am very allergic. My dog must have got some of the oil on him and transferred it to me. It's worse on my leg but it started spreading to my back, stomach, and arm. I tried a few of the methods from this sight and found that as scary as it sounds, bleach really does work. It still makes me nervous to keep using that method because bleach is pretty harsh stuff, so I went to whole foods to see what their options were. They sell a poison ivy soap by Burt's Bees that works. I washed with it first, then to the recommendation from the whole foods employee, after drying off I wet the soap bar and rubbed it over the effected areas and let it dry. Itching stops for awhile and no bleach needed!
rating: 4 (9 votes)
Submitted by conway at 2011-07-15 06:58:58
Gasoline will displace the oil and it is done... no waiting... the fastest way and best way to get rid of the poison ivy just scratch those blisters in a can of gasoline until they pop but the gasoline feels cool, it displaces the oil and your done. no waiting no days later...your done
rating: 4 (23 votes)
Submitted at 2006-08-21 22:58:42
Last night I searched through this page to find something to help the itching. This is my first case of Poison Ivy...go figure....I've made it 52 years without it!!! Anyway I tried the salt scrub and it worked wonderfully. It stops the itch FAST. I wet the arm and just poured the table salt right on it and scrubbed and let it dry. I'M IMPRESSED!! Thank you somebody's grandma
rating: 4 (11 votes)
Submitted by Mr. Didnt learn the 1st time at 2007-03-28 10:51:52
Poison Ivy, Oak,or sumac, just mix Alum with water until waxy, pasty but still gritty. Use the gritty paste to rub & pop blisters in infected area. Stings to pop them but it works the best. Will notice the ooze within minutes. Apply as often as you can.
rating: 4 (7 votes)
Submitted at 2010-08-29 21:45:21
i did not read all 14 pages of remedies but any mechancic knows if ur in a pinch or at work and u got it and u dont mind smelling like it for a bit gasoline or brake cleaner orks amazing dries it right out plus either one feels cool on the skin stops the itch depending on how bad it is but if u jus wanna do it the old fashioned way and stay home i jus suggest a few oatmeal baths they work amazing no itch for hours swelling goes down and dries it out
rating: 4 (12 votes)
Submitted by Jennifer at 2004-06-25 00:04:52
I have recently had poison ivy, and everyone who has had it will try just about everything to stop the itch. Something that I tried and helped clear up the outbreak: I took a small amount of a shampoo like Head and Shoulders and just rubbed it on the affected area and let it dry. Soon after I did this the itching was relieved and the area seemed to have cleared up. This worked for me and hopefully it will for others.
rating: 4 (24 votes)
Submitted at 2011-07-29 00:03:52
I was helping my wife clearing some brush on our Pastor's fence when I brushed against some poison ivy. She wasn't allergic to it but I sure was! I broked out in at first just itching the second day and on the third day I had blisters galore! I tried calamine lotion, bendadryl gel lotion, and Ivarest and still no relief! After reading several posts, I decided to try out the dawn soap and Proactive cream test. I showered with cold water with dawn soap with bleach alternative and then rinsed off with hot water. I then dried off and applied the Proactive cream to the infected area's and so far I haven't had any itching! I hope to sleep sound and peacefull tonight for a change. Thanks to all the posts that I have read..will relay if this dries up after a couple of more treatments like this!
rating: 4 (6 votes)
Submitted by Christian at 2010-08-18 22:57:01
I spoke today to a pharmacist. I have been using Ivarest to wash and Caladryl Clear. The pharmacist suggested I take Benadryl tablets, recommended dosage on the box. It MAY make you drowsy, but it stops the itching. He stated the problem with the oils from the plant, bind with the amino acids in the skin making it difficult to get rid of. I suspect this is why most of the degreaser type remedies seem to work. Good luck! I'm currently fighting this as I type...
rating: 4 (10 votes)
Submitted at 2011-10-06 17:15:18
Based on other people's advice, I tried rubbing alcohol and also the clay mask. What I wound up with was a nasty combo of infected poison ivy resulting in the antibiotics and steroids I was trying to avoid. Stick to the drug store remedies like calamine and Zanfel. Good luck.
rating: 4 (10 votes)
Submitted by Patty at 2009-06-08 11:21:49
The best thing, and only relief I have found, for poison ivy is a product you can purchase at Walgreen's Drug Store called Poison Ivy Wash. It is a scrub. Follow directions on tube, and you will have at least 75% relief after using once! It was nearly gone after a 2nd application!
rating: 4 (11 votes)
Submitted by shane at 2010-08-21 21:54:03
It hurts a little but I have found that bleach works the best. I scratch the blisters open usually using a brillo pad......ya it hurts but feels good too! Then I take undilluted bleach and rub it where I scratched. Rub until the slimy feeling goes away. Pat dry and it will not itch anymore.
rating: 4 (16 votes)
Submitted by kyle at 2011-08-09 23:11:22
I get poison ivy really and bad and i can pick it up just in the air. i cant be ner a wooded area without getting it. its expected every summer at least 3 times each summer. What i like to do, (you need an experienced welder) is have a friend weld and expose the ivy to the welding arch. Clears it up by the end of the night. If thats not available pack on the calamine lotion, pop the pink benadryl pills and wait it out. One thing i tried was to scratch open the blisters with a toothbrush, and apply lots of bleach... BIG MISTAKE! not recomended at all! It made me break out 3 times as bad. My grandma used to live in west virginia and she always said to put iodine on it. also she said it you eat the plant you will become immune. i have never done it and dont plan on it and also dont recommend that either. just a thought. One more, (yes i have litterally tried all possibilities) mix a thick paste of sea salt and BLUE sawn dish soap and apply and let it sit for like, 30 minutes. it stops the itching and drys it out but since im highly allergic i immediately got it again. Just some thoughts. Hope it helps, because i know i hate poison ivy and im sure its not your friend either.
rating: 4 (12 votes)
Submitted by Ava at 2011-07-20 01:55:54
I've tried EVERYTHING for the worst poison ivy of my life and I will save you the story of sitting on the kitchen floor itching myself with a cheese grader so here it is:
salt(most people say it burns but it's not bad)
all the clear anti itching creams you have
2 Benadryl pills smashed up and then mix it together and that will hold you for the day and the next day i prefer getting magical clay (Aztec secret healing clay) (:!!!!!
rating: 4 (21 votes)
Submitted at 2010-07-07 03:05:59
I tend to get Poison Ivy atleast once a year. A friend of my mom told me to try regular Dawn dishsoap. When it was really bad, I used it as a body wash. I also dab the spots with rubbing alcohol. After that dries, I dab the dish soap on. It generally clears it up within 4 to 5 days. Hope it works for you too:))
rating: 4 (18 votes)
Submitted at 2011-07-17 16:00:14
So I read all these posts last night after dealing with my own case of the lovely stuff for almost a week, using the lotion and Ivyrest and all that with no relief. Also was working ALOT so could not take much time to treat it and let it all air out...anyways here what I learned last night.
I took the advice of the Dawn dish soap. I use that stuff for alot, works great on getting candle wax out of your holders after the candle burns down.
It cleaned up great, I scrubbed as i used it, opening some of the blisters up.
Then...in my medicine cabinet I found my ProActive daily oil control cream. I remembered back when I tried this stuff it dried my skin out really bad. So I thought, what the heck.
IT WORKED!
I had no itching all night, not even a little, felt totally normal. Did a second treatment today and its amazing, all drying up and going away. No more itching no more weeping.
Good Luck!
rating: 4 (14 votes)
Submitted at 2006-01-06 21:36:29
My cousin from TX told me that she uses white shoepolish on poison ivy to cure the symptoms.
rating: 4 (7 votes)
Submitted at 2010-06-16 21:42:53
I've tried Cortison, Prednisone, Bleach, and Oatmeal baths and nothing has worked for my Poison Ivy over the years. Then I pulled out some of my natural healing books and found that the Jewelweed Plant has been used to relieve the itch from this pesky plant. I, unfortunately, don't live in an area where this plant grows. I found a company online, Rustic Remedies, that makes a natural product that's Jewelweed based. Let me tell you, this has been THE biggest godsend and has allowed me to get back into the garden! If you've tried other remedies and nothing has work, I highly recommend trying their Jewelweed Lotion.
rating: 4 (12 votes)
Submitted by sarah at 2010-08-29 10:34:18
Poison Ivy stinks, especially when you get it ALL over your face the day before you start high school. I was desperate... not because I was itchy (although I am!) but because I'm not even going to the same high school as the kids who saw my entire face puffe dup with the stuff in 7th grade. But anyway, I'm deathly afraid of hurting myself, so I needed an unpainful remedy. Salt, bleach, etc is too harsh sounding. I can't get to the store. What I did was use hand sanitizer and then washed my face. I dried it and threw the towel in the wash. ALWAYS USE COOL/COLD WATER! I used TopCare anti-itch cream. That stuff is amazing! It instantly cooled my skin and dried it out. I don't know if they make it anymore, but if you have it use it!!And wash with tecnu. Any idea about getting rid of redness? :) seriously hope this helps!!
rating: 4 (11 votes)
Submitted at 2011-06-02 18:30:50
I am highly allergic to poison ivy and always get the really big sores. I was once told by a doctor to use Contraceptive cream on it. It makes it weep a lot but then dries up quickly. I always have to put a bandage over the sores after applying due to so much drainage.
rating: 4 (6 votes)
Submitted by andy of Iowa at 2004-09-07 23:08:51
I have found that the best way to cure poison ivy is to take a piece of rusty iron and a cutting torch along with a metal bucket 1/2 full of water, hold the iron over the bucket, and then take your torch and begin cutting, allowing the metal slag to fall in the water. After the water turns haze colored rub hands and arms completely for about 1 minute and then drip dry. This has worked great for me and clears the rash and stops the itch completely within 12 hours.
rating: 3 (32 votes)
Submitted by Sandy PA at 2010-05-26 13:12:54
I always kept control of my poision ivy by being in the pool especially right after contact with the ivy. If you swim as soon as you touch the posion it will have a better chance of not appearing. If you cant get in a pool I just use the chlorine tablet and rub it on the poison ivy and it will dry up fast. Or go in the pool while shocking it Else you can use bleach but I think the tablet may be safer? Not sure
rating: 3 (20 votes)
Submitted at 2007-06-24 18:00:12
If you are infected by poison oak, put some 'Technu' (I think that is how it is spelled) on the area.
rating: 3 (7 votes)
Submitted at 2006-07-16 06:27:12
For poison ivy wash with sunlight bar soap. helps to dry out the poison ivy and takes awqy the itch. After washing apply a mixture of warm water and epsom salts (paste) draws the poison and dry's it up further. Remember that the oil can get on clothing and bedding be sure to wash immediately and seperately from other items. Best to hang out on the line to dry.
rating: 3 (2 votes)
Submitted by Tara at 2008-06-30 18:14:21
I have a SEVERE reaction to poison ivy/oak/sumac. Large, thick patches that get 1/2' thick and ooze for what seems like FOREVER!!!! I think I have tried everything!!! I've always been wary about the bleach solution (just tried it finally, think it might be a good solution, thanks!). One summer, after 4 months of recurring / ongoing poison ivy reaction, cortizone shots, oral steroids, etc. I gave up trying to fix it, got desperate for some summer fun and went swimming. The NEXT DAY the itching , oozing and scabbing were gone! It must have something to do with the pool chemicals! I don't know what the 'majic bullet' was, but the pool worked! Having an outbreak now ... going swimming tonight for sure!
rating: 3 (6 votes)
Submitted at 2009-08-31 00:12:35
Here is a great plan to cure poison ivy. although it is not a home remedy it will work better than anything you have ever tried. all you need is.
benadryl 25mg
Hydrocortizone cream
Hot shower
any over the counter cream for washing off poison ivy oils. i prefer ivarest foam.
all this can be found at your local drug store and all over the counter.
Step one take a super hot shower and stay under the water for as long as possible until the poison ivy does not 'tingle' anymore. then turn the shower off and grab your washing cream and rub it all over yourself so you wash all the oils off your skin after the hot water washed up. then gently dry yourself off.
step 2.. apply hydrocortizon cream onto rash to control the itch
step 3. take a benadryl pill for itching and swelling then wait for the drowsiness to kick in from the pill and take a nap.
repeat this 2 or 3 times a day and the rash will be gone in 2 days at most. i currently have poison ivy and i tried this last night and now my eye isnt swollen shut anymore and the itching is gone and it has not spread anywhere else and its almost all dried up.
rating: 3 (9 votes)
Submitted at 2007-05-30 19:01:28
Alright first wash the infected area with soap, next keep the area dry it will spread faster when wet, also dont scratch it or touch any other parts of your body, the best solution is go to your local pharmacy or even your local A&P grocery store and buy MEDICATED CALAMINE Lotion this stuff works the best take some cotton balls and rub it onto wherever you have the poison ivy or poison oak
rating: 3 (14 votes)
Submitted at 2007-09-17 19:55:45
First rub salt and white vinegar on affected area then wait 5 minutes.
Next spray or dab clorox bleach on area.
rating: 3 (7 votes)
Submitted at 2003-11-07 17:47:18
Take burdock and yellow dock to aid the healing process.
rating: 2 (9 votes)
Submitted by Patty Green at 2007-08-12 11:08:10
I watched a show on tv about how to prevent an outbreak of poison ivy.
The man was a plant specialist.He was very knowledgable about the effects of plants on the body.He said to eat a leaf 20-30 minutes before you get in it.He said it worked.I had suffered with the effects of poison ivy for many years before his show.I got up the nerve to try it tried it once and have never had another reaction since that show.While I would advise anyone to use this with caution,it worked for me!
rating: 2 (29 votes)
Submitted at 2003-11-07 17:47:18
Apply aloe vera gel, baking soda and water, jewelweed juice, or lobelia extract to the affected areas for itching and blistering.
rating: 2 (12 votes)
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