How to treat Poison Ivy

Each summer, many individuals are exposed to Poison Ivy.  Many individuals get the dermatitis disease, without even knowing it.  They are working or playing outdoors and make contact with the plant.  The itchy rash can last up to three weeks are longer.

People can be exposed by direct or indirect contact with the plant.  Direct contact is by actually being touched by the plant.  Indirect contact is when they get it on their clothes or breathe in smoke fumes of Poison Ivy being burned.

Poison Ivy releases a toxin called urushoil.  This penetrates the skin pores.  It can easily be passed on to other parts of the skin by direct or indirect contact.  You can get it on your clothes and it can remain there for days.

If you get Poison Ivy on your body, the following is what you should do.

1.  Stay inside and out of the sun.  Sweat can cause the toxin to spread.

2.  Don't scrub or use hot water on your skin.  doing this places it into the skin pores.

3.  Don't use soap.  Soap will let it slide to other parts of the body.

4.  The urushoil will connect to the protein of the skin very easily.  Once this process is complete, it is there for the duration.

5.  The allergic reaction will happen within 48 hours.

First Aid

1.  Remove all clothing carefully and place it separate from other clothes to be washed.  Use bleach for cleaning.

2.  Use cool rinse shower water first.  Clean your fingernails.  Scraatching can move the toxins around to other places.

3.  Avoid scratching at all costs.  Scratching could lead to bigger problems of infection.

4.  Always let the area air dry.  this reduces itching and blisters.

5.  Ice will often give relief to itching.

6.  Apply a calamine lotion.

7.  Chlorine in a swimming pool will help remove toxins.  A diluted Clorox spray can often reduce the urushoil, too.

The secret to prevention and control is getting it taken care of as quick as possible.  If you inhale fumes from burning Poison Ivy smoke, you should see a medical doctor.  You can very easily have internal problems.  The smoke will carry the toxins to the inside of a person.

Comments (2)

Susan Woods said:

	... My home resides in the woods and the poison ivy is very bad this year. My husband gets a rash at least twice a year. It is very hard to resist scratching....I will share your useful tips with him.
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June 13, 2010
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goodselfme said:

	... Thank you for your helpful info.
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June 13, 2010
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