OTC Topical Medicines Used With Poison Ivy

Poison ivy is a woody vine that belongs to the family Anacardiaceae which is of the sumac family. It is the most common allergy to people in the United States, with more than half of the population being affected once in contact.

Many people think that rubbing or scratching the irritation from poison ivy will cause it to spread, but this is incorrect. The only way to spread the rash is to spread the urushiol oil, so it is best to wash the area well once a rash is seen and then there is no oil residue remaining. If a blister forms due to the rash, you can break the blisters but this can cause infection to set up and scarring as well. But the blisters bursting will not cause the rash to spread.

There are a few cures that seem to work better than others, and these are the ones that get rid of the urushiol oil that is located on the leaves of the plant that causes the irritation. Some think they are simply immune to the plant, and this is completely false. For people who have never had it before, poison ivy can take more than a week or so to have a rash appear, and the more times that you come into contact with it the more apt you are to have the rash.

Some of the symptoms include red raised rashes or flat red welts where the poison ivy contact occurred. After appearing, the rash will be accompanied by an itch that will be around until the rash is gone. There are many different solutions available that are made to deal with this kind of problem.

Rhuli gel made by Band Aid is made for drying out the blisters that can occur with the reddened area and helping to demolish the itch that is associated with it. This can be found at many drug stores and larger department stores in the health and beauty aisle.

Another product used for this type of problem is Ivy Dry. It can be found in cream or liquid forms, and gets rid of the itch as well. Some people will go visit a doctor, where prednisone is given often. It is a corticosteroid that helps to keep the immune system from responding to the oil and causes the itching to be relieved.

Some doctors will ask that you take a warm Epsom salt bath to quell the itch. Following with calamine lotion on the area will help to finish the itch. Within a couple of days the problem will cease and the itch will be completely gone.

You’re looking for that perfect poison ivy cure, aren’t you? We have a poison ivy remedy that many individuals wish they heard about – you should give it a try.