Anyone know a good poison ivy remedy?
By momof3inTN
@momof3inTN (89)
United States
June 14, 2007 9:04am CST
My kids have been at it again. You'd think they'd rolled around in the stuff. They are covered from head to toe in poison ivy. They itch and are totally miserable (they are 7 and 5). Does anyone know of any home remedies for poison ivy? I've been giving them oatmeal baths but that doesn't seem to help much at all and the calamine lotion just peels and makes them itchier. If anyone has any ideas....PLEASE....I am on my hands and knees begging, please help!
2 people like this
5 responses
@crazynurse (7482)
• United States
14 Jun 07
wow, sounds like they are miserable. If they are covered as badly as you say, then they really may need an oral antihistamine and an oral corticosteroid. (would require a prescription)The rule of thumb is that if one has 30 percent of their body with the blisters than these meds are warrented. The worry is not spreading (the juice that flows out of the blisters does not contain the urushiol from the plant) the poison ivy but getting the blisters infected by scratching. The oral antihistamine would help with the itching which in turn would decrease the liklihood of infection!
1 person likes this
@crazynurse (7482)
• United States
14 Jun 07
I'm sorry, I know that you asaked about home remedies, but I just had to throw in the prescription needs! The home remedies will relieve itching for a short bit, but it will come right back. Many, many home remedies exsist to hasten the drying of the blisters too. Everything from the inside of a banana peeel rubbed over the blisters to maalox, buttermilk and more!! As for help with itching, many older folks swear by vinegar. One is to rub white vinegar over the blisters. I have always found cold to help. Whichever area is itching the worst, place a package of frozen peas over that area for 5 minutes! Rotate the peas and re-freeze as necessary!
1 person likes this
@wdiong (1815)
• Singapore
15 Jun 07
Some other home remedies you may like to try to relieve your sons' itch :
Aloe
The gel that is contained inside the Aloe plant leaves has also been known to be one of the better poison ivy remedies.
Simply slice open a leaf from this plant and rub it on the rash. Do this several times a day.
Peppermint
This concoction has been called one of the best poison ivy remedies. Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of salt in 1/2 cup of water and add enough cosmetic clay to make a creamy paste consistency.
Add about 25 drops of peppermint oil and apply the paste to the affected area.
Another alternative is to mix about 30 drops of peppermint oil to a full bottle of calamine lotion, shake it up real good and then apply it on the rashed skin.
Echinacea
Make a mixture with 1 part Echinacea and 3 parts water. Use this to rinse off the rashed skin several times a day.
Baking Soda
Another one of the more effective poison ivy remedies. Mix Baking Soda and water to form a paste and apply it to the affected area.
@balasri (26537)
• India
14 Jun 07
Go to http://landscaping.about.com/cs/weedsdiseases/a/poison_ivy_2.htm
It has got some valuable information for treating the rashes.
@kareng (59167)
• United States
14 Jun 07
Oh wow! Poor kiddies! I would call their pediatrician and see if he could prescribe something. If not, try a hydrocortizone cream or allergy relief cream over the counter. You may want to give them some benedryl to help them sleep at night. Be careful though in combining that with a cream that could also contain an antihistimine!
