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- - poison ivy (https://thetfp.com/tfp/tilted-life/14385-poison-ivy.html)

I got posiny ivy pretty bad right now. So far I have found that numbing the area with ice is the fastest way to relieve it when it becomes unbearable. I have been using Caladryl, but its doesnt seem to do anything. What is the fastest way to get rid of this? I really want to scratch it with a razor blade, but I dont think that would help much.

No that wont help much....

I just noticed a new patch on a previosuly ivy clean leg. I am fighting a losing battle here. If I opened them all up with a razor and immedietly used soap wouldnt it clean the oil out? After that I could use a magnifing glass and a hot sunny day to burn the remaining oil off. That would be a last resort that I will save for early next week, or if it moves north from its current location on my right thigh.

lol I feel for ya.

I have never had it so I don't know much about it really. I would cover it though to try and reduce spreading.

Quote:

Originally posted by BAMF
I just noticed a new patch on a previosuly ivy clean leg. I am fighting a losing battle here. If I opened them all up with a razor and immedietly used soap wouldnt it clean the oil out? After that I could use a magnifing glass and a hot sunny day to burn the remaining oil off. That would be a last resort that I will save for early next week, or if it moves north from its current location on my right thigh.

You don't have to do that, in fact there is nothing you can do now anyway. Poison ivy/poison oak is not contagious from the fluid in the blisters only by spreading the oil that comes off of the plant itself. What you are seeing is just the reaction time of the blisters.

Quote:

From link:

Contact with one of these plants results in a red, bumpy skin rash, usually on areas of the body where the skin is thinnest, like the wrists, shins, neck, and face. The tough palms of your hands may be unaffected. There may be swelling near the rash, which usually progresses to itchy blisters that ooze, harden and then crack. The rash may appear as early as 30 minutes or as late as 2 weeks after exposure. What determines how soon a person reacts after exposure is the degree of allergic sensitivety to the plant and the number of previous exposures.

The rash reaches its peak about 4-5 days after it begins. The blisters break open, releasing a watery liquid. The rash, the blisters, or fluid from the blisters is not contagious for the poison oak rash. The oil from the plants, stems, and trunk readily penetrates the skin. Healing usually takes 1 to 2 weeks. The rash, which is a type of allergic reaction, is actually caused by the body's reaction to the oil rather than damage by the oil itself.

Click for link

I guess that is some good news and some bad.

Good in that I can safley scratch myself with razor blades and it wont spread.

Bad in that I am on Day 2 and it peaks on Day 4-5.

Shit. I wish I could slip into a coma for the next 2 weeks.

I would recommend some sort of calamine (you know, from the linked website) as opposed to razor blades.. Those metal things never are too good to flesh.

Gotta watch out..

if you have it REALLY bad talk to your doctor, he'll give you some stuff that is stronger than anything OTC and it'll work much faster. it's a pill, i think

but if it isnt that bad there are otc products made only for poison ivy, sumac, etc.. there are also soaps you can use after working in the garden or where ever to prevent it later

are you on antihistimines? If so, and you can afford the drowsyness, get on em. it'll help.

rubbing alcohol dries it out quickly but makes it itch ten times worse. tough decision.

To prevent it from spreading, wash the cloths you had on...
when you come in from outside wash thoroughly with a
naptha based soap---it is the only way to wsh the oil off.

I think its pretty much over. Its till there, but for the most part the itch is gone. It also seems to be receeding. The plant was found and a friend who is immune removed it.

wash everything that might have the oil on it right away. the oil can last for a long time (months) and you might get it again. anything that drys your skin should help it to clear up sooner. if it is really bad go to the doctor and they can give you an antihistamine shot.

used to be a surveyor- got into every poisonous plant , animal etc in the midwest- guys on the crew all swore by a mix of 50% chlorine bleach and 50% dish soap used as a body soap right after suspected contact with poison ivy or oak- used it myself- and it often stops it from popping up at all or keeps it to a small area- beware if you have sensitive skin, cause the bleach will burn, and dont leave the lather on too long- also keep it out of the eyes and any mucus membranes.

Rubbing alchohal drys it out, which is hat u want, clorox also works, but hurts more

Just got some this weekend.....itches like a MF. Damn those plants.....damn them!

Anyway, I have been doing the Hydrocordizone. Helps a little bit. not a lot, but a little. :)