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How to Get Rid of Poison Ivy

July 10th, 2007 by MartinDodge
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Probably the best thing for you to do is stay away from it.

Poison Ivy: How it Works

Poison ivy causes a rash in 90% of the people who come into contact with it. The rash is caused by an oil on the surface of the leaves, urushiol, coming in contact with any part of the body or even clothing. The same oil is carried by sumac and poison oak (Tips on how to get rid of poison oak). The rash itches like crazy and can be spread by the hands if it has been touched (it cannot be spread by scratching the rash, though scratching can create an open wound that could become infected). It can be spread by coming into contact with shoes or clothing that have brushed against it. In fact, the oil can even become airborne through mowing or burning.

It’s pretty potent stuff. It takes an extraordinarily small amount to create a rash – one billionth of a gram, a nanogram. And it can stick and stay active on any surface for up to five years. Frequent hand washing is a good defense against its spread, and any clothing that is even suspected of contacting it should be laundered immediately.

Is there any defense against it? I once knew a fellow who was attempting to build immunity by ingesting poison ivy leaves, starting with a tiny portion, and working up to bigger amounts in the fashion of homeopathy. I never found out the result, but I do know he lived through it – But don’t you try this!

Poison Ivy Rashes and Treatments

poison ivy rashUrushiol oil is an irritant, not really poison. There are no known fatalities from urushiol rashes, though people who are immuno-compromised could develop some form of dermatitis. It is contagious only in the sense that one person who has contacted the urushiol oil can spread it to others through contact. There are no contagions involved.

Poison Ivy Symptoms

As for treatment, the only case of an emergency which requires immediate hospital care is when a person with higher-than-average sensitivity comes into contact with it. These people make up between 10 and 20 percent of the allergic population. They break out in a rash in 4 to 12 hours instead of the normal 24 to 48. Their eyes may swell shut and blisters may erupt on their skin. They are usually given a shot of corticosteroids to bring the swelling down.

Poison Ivy Cures

Rashes can be treated at home through such folk remedies as taking a bath in water to which baking soda (For other uses of baking soda, see 75 extraordinary uses for baking soda) or Epsom salts have been added. Poultices made of half oatmeal, half baking soda are also said to be effective. Over-the-counter commercial treatments include Caladryl, Benadryl, Desitin, and good old-fashioned, cheap calamine lotion.

calamine lotion benadryl desitin

Poison Ivy Pictures: Identification

The only effective defense known to us is to be able to recognize it and stay away from it. Poison ivy is easily identified. It’s low-growing, seldom higher than two feet, and bears branches of three green, shiny leaves:

poison ivy poison ivy flower

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  1. October 28th, 2009 at 11:29 am    Loretta Says:

    Had a run-in with a property heavily infested with poison ivy. Found Tech-nu works for some people if they wash with it promptly. After the blisters start, tried Ivy Dry but still got large open weeping wounds. Found an article to use Vitamin E. Dried up 90% of the open sore overnight after 4 days of trying Ivy Dry with no results. Vitamin E also takes away the itch and the sooner you put it on, the better the results. Beginning blisters can literally go away after a day or so. Use NAURAL vitamin E. D alpha tocopherol, not DL alpha tocopherol.

  2. June 3rd, 2009 at 12:45 am    Lacey Says:

    I have it really bad.. but the weird thing is, i was exposed to it almost a month befor i showed any symptoms of it. I have it all over my legs, and what makes is worse is that i have it on the back of my knee.. so every time i bend my leg, it causes it to itch.. So here’s my tip

    Make a Baking Soda and Water Paste, and Wrap your effected areas in SaranWrap..

  3. May 1st, 2009 at 1:18 pm    Patrick Says:

    FYI, about the height of PI, this article says it only grows 2-3 foot high – that’s only partially correct (at least here in the south) it grows way up into trees and shrubs. It does have “furry” aerial roots;

  4. March 21st, 2009 at 7:28 am    kate Says:

    you should use cortaid it workedin about three days for me.

  5. i have poision ivy realllll bad ): i just got rid of it like, 2 weeks ago!! pleasee help me out, tell me anything, ill do it!!! (buttt,no i WILL NOT cut a big puffy blister off and eat it, yuckkk!)
    please give me advice?!? i have it from my neck dowwn. UGHHHH D:

  6. September 2nd, 2008 at 7:42 am    ivy master Says:

    when you have poison ivy alll you have to do is wait until you have a big puffy blisster, then you cut it off(this may hurt a little, but not much if you do it right) and eat it. trust me. and be careful to not cut anything but the rash off.=]

  7. August 24th, 2008 at 10:26 pm    Jessica Says:

    I have poison oak nothing seemed to be working after about 4 days. Then I purchased Coraid it works really well and the spray does burn at fist but gets rid of the itch and drys up the weepy wounds.

  8. ok so right now i have poison ivy and ive found that if you wash with dial soap it doesnt itch as bad and if you have it on hand use some beneadrayl but that doesnt work as good.and sometimes at night you dont notice it but you may itch it so put some anti itch cream so you dont break any scabs or spread the rash.

  9. August 10th, 2008 at 1:54 am    Jossue Says:

    I’ve had poison Ivy for about a week now. I’ve tried everything to try to get rid of it, but nothing works. I wonder why?

  10. August 3rd, 2008 at 9:26 pm    Hi there! Says:

    use rubbing achol. I use it, put it on paper towel and dab the poisoned areas. It dries out skin. Swim in chlorinated pools. Dont shower in hot water, this sperads the pioson. Wear oven mitts or thick socks on your hands to keep from itching. Do not put lotion on. Get over the counter allergey pills. Take before bed. Do not itch. Contact a doctor if it hurts, swells, or ozzes pus. Cover it if it scrapes open and leaves a scab. Keep covered ontil healed. get well soon!! :)

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