9 Responses

1. jnyscrp

   June 25th, 2009 at 6:05 pm

   1

   I am currently going throough the same battle. I tried for about 3 days to cotrol it and make it go away w/ a variety of items ( caladryl lotion, oatmeal baths, cotizone…to name a few.

   I decided to go to the doctor who perscribed a steroid called prednisone ( 3 pills a day for 6 days ). This helps to dry up the poision that has entered your system. As far as the scratching goes they have perscribed a cream called clobetasol propionate. Which I can verify is the only thing so far that has helped reduce ( not eliminate ) the itching.

   If you go to tanning you will only make it worse as you will sweat and potentially pass the poision on to other parts of your body.

2. The Professor

   June 25th, 2009 at 6:05 pm

   2

   Ask your doctor about Prednisone.
   I would avoid tanning.

3. Sea Bass

   June 25th, 2009 at 6:05 pm

   3

   first of all as a general advice, dont go to tanning beds !! i call them 'cancer beds', and this is what they are literally !!

   now, about ur posion ivy, there is nothing much u can do now … the allergen is in there and even if u take anti-allergic drugs they wont help ..

   usually the allergy and rash stays for a day or 2 so am no sure how long its been with u !! if it stays for long i would suggest u go see a doctor .. not for the dangers now but in the future in case this happens again … u might be suffering from type 4 hypersensitivity (delayed-type hypersensitivity) and in a second contact with the poison oak it might become type 1 and it might be quite dangerous!!

   so i would watch out for those ivys !! and in case this happen again make sure there is someone with u !

4. deelicious

   June 25th, 2009 at 6:05 pm

   4

   Calamine Lotion, it will turn your skin pink, but it works, old school home remedy.

5. Sheila

   June 25th, 2009 at 6:05 pm

   5

   You may want to go to the Dr. They can offer more help and a shot to stop the itching. They used to make something called ivy-dry that my really allergic friend used, but I don't know if they still do.

6. crystal o

   June 25th, 2009 at 6:05 pm

   6

   you should either take a bath in oats twice daily or use some calamine lotion or do both that is what i did when i had poison ivy and it cleared up eally quick!dont go to a tanning bed it would really make it spread!

7. jefferson

   June 25th, 2009 at 6:05 pm

   7

   i was told by the Dr. that there are creams and lotions you can put on to stop the itch but in general you will just have to wait ti out. no cream will make it go away. You can try allergy pills, which may help with the itch or swelling (if there is some) but my advice will be to just wait it out

   I always found cold compresses helped to soothe.

   good luck

8. Linda P

   June 25th, 2009 at 6:05 pm

   8

   I found a great product called calagel.It is somwhat like calamine lotion but works much better and is clear so no pink skin.You can find it at any drug store near the calamine lotion.It is great for poison ivy,oak,or sumac.I have also used it to treat a rash under my arms and my husband has used it for athletes feet.

9. mom tree

   June 25th, 2009 at 6:05 pm

   9

   I am so sorry for you because I can really relate. I have what is called a-systemic to poision ivy…that means I can get it even if someone a mile away is burning the ivy in a brush pile.
   (I have had it so many times and so badly that it was in my eyes and mouth, and I am allergic to antihystamines lol)Getting a shot from the doc does help but if you want to avoid that cost, you could try coating the infected areas with a paste of baking soda and water, several times a day. all the lotions and releaf creams out there will help some, but it is the oils and damp skin that make it itch. Tanning will cause you to sweat which only further irritates the poison. It will take 7-10 days for it to fully be out of your system and if you scratch (we all do) scarring is minimal. Good luck