How to get rid of poison ivy

morgansmom02

As some who gets it, I use apple cider vinegar when ever it starts to itch (so several times a day). If it is really bad, an oatmeal paste does wonders (what I would do is after putting on the paste, cut some finger-holes in a pair of long socks and wear them like elbow length gloves. Also bacon soda paste works ok, but gets really messy.
I know the apple cider vinegar smells and the others can be a bit messy, but you can itch & scratch or deal with it.
This is from a county boy who lives with it...

Good luck

Thanks! Those are helpful!

WickedGarden

My husband got poison ivy last weekend so I have been slathering him with calamine lotion all week because god forbid he does it himself. I am going to be gone next week. What can we use over the weekend to make it go away so he doesn't die when I am gone? I did all the google searches, but I want to know what real people have tried and what works.

For Rhus radicans; the catechol (also called urushiol as a mix) causes the problems (binds to skin) apply Calamine first then some aluminium acetate ( I do not know the street name .)

aluminum acetate is also called Burow's Solution, or Domeboro, it's very inexpensive, and is an astringent. Basically dries out the infection.

pinuplove

My conversation with him just now

"You need to get the shot. It goes in your butt"
"No, I am not doing it."
"It is not going in your *kitten*, just the top of your butt."
"Nope, not doing it."
"Well then you are going to die."
"Ok then".

Why is he such a baby about shots?

LOL! They can also give him a short course of oral steroids instead of the shot in the butt

ndblades

Good post! I am almost 2 weeks with poison ivy. I tried cortisone for the first week, then read that dermatologist don't recommend it, just calamine...so I've had pink arms all this week... helping a little, only gets really unbearable when out in the heat (and i'm running out of long sleeve SUMMER shirts to wear! I finally asked my sister, a pediatric practitioner, who also reacts from Poison Ivy - she said just calamine or coritsone, it will clear up on its own in 3-4 weeks. You can get steroids from teh doctor, but usually only a 5 day dose, and it may come back after that. I opted to avoid that -- dont' need the side affects of steroids! (appetite increase, puffiness!).

Good luck with it! I might have to try the banana peels!

IrishFanVSG

I get it or some reaction to a plant. Nothing over the counter works for me. Not even the shot seems to remedy it. Last time my doctor prescribed Methylpred 4mg. I just called today for a refill. She doesn't even make me come for an appt anymore. It is a six day pack. Usually after 3 days its better and dried up. Bearable after 1st day of pills. I do buy a anti itch spray made by benadryl or the dollar general brand copy. That seems to at least take the itch away.

artbkward

Searching for this myself, I think I have poison ivy now and it's awful. I read online to make a paste with baking soda and water, smear it on and let it dry then wash off. I tried this yesterday and it did seem to help. I also rubbed some white vinegar on half of it to see if that made a difference and I think it has itched less today. I've read about the oatmeal and banana peels too but haven't tried those yet.