Poison ivy is one of the true plagues of the spring and summer seasons. It is an invasive plant that thrives in all states but Alaska and it is estimated that over 85% of the population is sensitive to this plant. In fact it is the most common allergy known with over 350,000 cases reported to poison control centers every year. In recent scientific studies the increase in global warming and CO2 may also be causing poison ivy to grow larger and be more toxic. (www.usatoday.com/tech/science/discoveries/2006-05-29-poison-ivy-study_x.htm)
The part of the poison ivy plant that people are actually reacting to is the urshiol oil. This oil is so strong that only ¼ of an ounce could cause a rash on every person in the world. Urshiol oil can also stay active for up to five years, even on dead plants. (http://poisonivy.aesir.com/view/fastfacts.html) Direct contact with the poison ivy plant is not necessary to develop a rash or worse. People may contract poison ivy from oil left on clothing, pets, or even oil in the air if it is cut with a lawn mower or burned. Poison ivy can be caught internally if the oil is inhaled or ingested, and can be fatal in extreme cases.
The more times you are exposed to the urshiol oil, the more likely you will react and the more severe the reaction. I experienced this phenomenon myself. I was very lucky never to have had a reaction to poison ivy in childhood and did not experience the annoying rash until my early twenties. Several years later I was exposed to poison ivy again and had a bad rash on my arms and stomach for about two weeks. When the rash started up my face I went in to my doctor and was given a dose pack of steroids. I was also told to come in immediately for a steroid shot the next time I thought I may have poison ivy. Last year I found one small dot on my wrist that I though was a bug bite. After a few hours it started to blister and I dutifully went to the doctor the next morning for a shot and another steroid dose pack. Unfortunately I had a severe systemic reaction and it took several dose packs, hundreds of dollars in creams, pills, and bandages, and 8 weeks to completely recover from that bout of poison ivy.
Prevention
My one goal this summer is to prevent contracting poison ivy at all. Anytime I garden, I use a poison ivy blocking cream and completely cover my skin with clothes, shoes, and gloves. I also have to avoid walking in any overgrown or natural areas that the poison ivy plants may be growing in. When I get inside, I am careful to put all clothing in the wash with detergent and hot water, and to wipe down my shoes, gloves, and tools with rubbing alcohol. I then wash with soap, rinse with rubbing alcohol, and use a poison ivy scrub before taking my normal shower. So far this has worked but the summer has just started.
Prescription Remedies
If you have an extreme reaction to poison ivy, the best thing to do is to get a steroid shot and steroid dose pack from your doctor. They may also prescribe various creams such as Diprolene AF, Triamicinolone, Ultravate, Clobetosol, or generic variations. In very bad cases hospitalization and IV steroids could be necessary. Sometimes doctors will also give antibiotics, allergy medications, and nerve pills.
OTC Remedies
There is a wealth of OTC remedies that you can find at your local drugstore, grocery, or discount outlet.
For a small rash Benadryl, Lanacane, Band-Aid, or Cortaid may be enough to stop the itching and allow the rash to heal. Most of these brands come in a cream, ointment, and spray formula. Benadryl also comes in a pill or capsule form that helps to stop itching and can cause drowsiness, which may be a desired side effect at night. Caladryl lotion contains calamine, which can help dry the poison ivy rash or blisters. Aveeno Oatmeal Bath can help soothe itching for several hours, but my doctor did not recommend bathing for my severe case. Other OTC products that may help are Icthomol drawing salve and Domeboro, which are normally kept behind the pharmacy. Tiger Balm and Gold Bond creams should also help with itching.
Zanfel is a product that is supposed to remove the urshiol from you skin, but one of the ingredients is a spermicide so if you have sensitivity to that type of chemical you should avoid this treatment. It does claim to be safe to use on any external body surface, anytime after exposure, and can used in conjunction with steroids. The product claims to help stop itching within 30 seconds and 75% of the rash should be gone within 24 hours if you do not have a systemic reaction. I am also allergic to spermicides so I have never been able to try this product, but I know other people who have had great success with it.
(www.zanfel.com)
buji Products makes a buji Block with sunscreen to prevent a reaction and a buji Wash if you believe you have been exposed to poison ivy. (www.bujiproducts.com)
There is a series of products that include IvyBlock, IvyCleanse, and IvySoothe that are pretty self-explanatory. I have a friend that uses IvyBlock when he is doing yard work and has never gotten poison ivy, though he may be one of the lucky people who are not sensitive. (www.ivyblock.com)
Ivy Dry and Super Ivy Dry are another series of products that can be found at most drug stores. They claim to dry up the poison ivy with Zinc Acetate and Benzyl Alcohol. (www.ecrm-epps.com/Expose/V6_8/Table_Initiatives/ivy.htm)
Blistex makes Ivarest Medicated Cream. (www.blistex.com/Ivarest.htm)
There are various pills and liquid homeopathic formulas that are supposed to help your body prevent or combat a reaction to poison ivy. The basic idea behind homeopathic medicine is that you are taking a minute amount the poison ivy and that helps your body fight against the reaction on its own. I currently take one homeopathic poison ivy pill a day with the hope that if I do encounter poison ivy again I do not have such a strong reaction. Most health food stores and groceries will have homeopathic medicines.
Burt’s Bees makes a Poison Ivy Soap in a bar form that I use anytime I have been outside. It is a natural product that contains jewelweed, pine tar, and tea tree oil. (www.burtsbees.com)
Rabbott’s has a Poison ivy/oak/sumac formula that is supposed to help reduce the effects of these plants naturally. It has jewelweed, burdock, aloe, and witch hazel. (www.rabbottsremedies.com/)
Large doses of Vitamin C and Vitamin E cream are supposed to be effective as well as jewelweed, milkweed, tea tree oil, aloe, goldenseal root, Indian gooseberry, and honey. It would be best to see a certified herbalist in order to find out the correct forms and dosages of the natural remedies.
Antidotal Remedies
This is a list of other remedies I found by searching the Internet, but caution should be used if you try any of them. When I try any remedy I use just a little bit on a small amount skin.
Bathing or showering in very hot water
Bleach
White shoe polish
Brake Cleaner
Vinegar
Vinegar and pennies
Inside of banana peels
Buttermilk
Tinactin
WD-40
