POISON IVY! YUCK!

Lisa1971
Lisa1971 Posts: 3,069 Member
in Chit-Chat
My back is covered in Poison ivy and I'm in agony! Even taking a shower kills me and I can't sleep at all because of it. I've been using cortisone cream and taking Benadryl, but nothing is helping!:angry:

Any suggestions other than to put my cats through the washing machine?:grumble:

Replies

  • Bexxiesauraus_xo
    Bexxiesauraus_xo Posts: 16
    Ouchies! Have a look through this link, hope you can find some relief here :)

    http://www.rd.com/slideshows/poison-ivy-home-remedies/
  • eric_sg61
    eric_sg61 Posts: 2,925 Member
    I get it every summer, mostly on my arms. I have never had it on my back and can't imagine how bad that would be. I usually mix a solution of baking soda and water to make a paste, then spread the paste on the rash. It helps to keep it dry. Quick tip: a hot blow dryer on the rash stops the itch for a suprising amount of time.
  • Lisa1971
    Lisa1971 Posts: 3,069 Member
    Thanks so much. I hate anything hot on my back though. My seats in the car are heated and the heat made it itch even worse. I'm ready to go lay in the snow topless. LOL!
  • WarriorCupcakeBlydnsr
    WarriorCupcakeBlydnsr Posts: 2,150 Member
    Only thing I can suggest is to go to the doctor. I get a severe reaction to it that is not fixed by any remedy, doc gives me steroids (I'm talking the big horse pill sized ones, not a z-pack) for 20 days (sometimes more) and that gets rid of it (it's usually gone within 5-7 days after I start, but I have to take the steroids for a longer period or (as the doctor in the walk in clinic that gave me a z-pack because he didn't belive me learned when I came back the day after I finished the z-pack,) I will have a reoccurence of it
  • Whyareyoumad
    Whyareyoumad Posts: 268 Member
    Go to the pharmacy and get the cream in the small silver box, cant remember the name but they usually have a store brand that is cheaper than name brand, works really well and will dry it up in a couple of days. Otherwise, doctors will usually prescribe Prednisone.
  • Shannonpurple
    Shannonpurple Posts: 268 Member
    Technu which is a soup to use in the shower and if your clothes have the oil on it you have to wash them with it, also Ivy-erst which is a spray that drys it out and stops the itching. good luck
  • FindingMyPerfection
    FindingMyPerfection Posts: 702 Member
    There is a yellow/orange flower called jewel weed that is a natural remedy. It usually grows close by poison ivy. You take the stem and mash it and spread the liquid on the areas. It provides instant relief.

    F2859F7D-1969-4463-B744-DDD671853DAA-892-000001B9418AC3FF_zpsdff3041c.jpg
  • iplayoutside19
    iplayoutside19 Posts: 2,304 Member
    I have to ask. How did you get it on your back? There has to be a fun story here, right?
  • Tandksmommy11
    Tandksmommy11 Posts: 399 Member
    My 8 year old son gets it so bad that he's almost literally covered from head to toe and oozing. He takes steroids and uses IvaRest to take some of the itch out along with Benadryl. If it's an open area, we use antiseptic ointment to prevent infection. Last year, he came home from his Dad's house covered 2 days before the beach. Strangely enough- the salt water helped it! It helped to dry it out and he said it felt good! Maybe you can make a salt bath at home or at least a mixture that you can rub on your back to help dry it out?
  • Lisa1971
    Lisa1971 Posts: 3,069 Member
    No fun story to brag about. My cat, Slim Shady, decided it would be cool to go into the poison ivy by our house, got in on his fur, and then proceeded to give it to me. Generous cat, huh?

Categories