How to Relieve the Reaction to Poison Ivy

Oh the itching! Oh the obnoxious blisters! How can I get rid of this Poison Ivy. In this article I'll explain how to stop the spread of poison ivy irritations on your skin, and how to reduce the outbreaks you experience in the future.

When I was in fifth grade (I refuse to admit how many years ago that was), in getting the ground ready for a garden, I pulled out a lot of roots. I didn't realize they were poison ivy roots. So, the sap of the poison ivy roots turned out to be even more potent than the oil on the leaves of the plant.

I was in bed for almost two weeks, encased in caladryl lotion. If I had known then what I now know, my recover would have been much quicker.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. It is NOT the liquid in the poison ivy blisters which spreads the allergic reaction.

2. Recognize when you've been exposed to poison ivy. Poison Ivy is a three leafed plant .. meaning that off each stem is three leaves. And, they are pointed at the end, and glossy or shiney on the surface of the leaves. Poison Ivy usually is in shaded areas. I've seen it grow up into trees and hang down over trails. So, all hikers and horse riders were risking contact with the leaves.

3. It is contact with the leaves that causes the problem. Because, that oily substance on the surface of the leaves is what causes the irritation on most peoples' skin. An amount the side of a pinhead can be spread over much of our body and cause an allergic reaction if not removed quickly.

4. Sorry, but you cannot get an allergic reaction to poison ivy from it being blown through the air. Two POSSIBLE exceptions: First, if you are standing where the grass cuttings are being blown by a power mower, and it goes over poison ivy, you could have contact with a bit of the leaf, which would contamination you with the oil. Second, I've heard that if poison ivy is being burnt, and you are nearby, you might get some contamination through the smoke. But, that hasn't been proven.

5. If you believe you've been exposed to poison ivy when you've been out in the yard or the woods, you need to start prevention as soon as you get home. The first thing you do is undress and put all your clothing in the washer. Do that first. If you just drop your clothes on the floor, and then pick them up after the next step, you'll simply contaminate yourself again.

6. So, there is the point of this article: remove the offending oil from our skin. If you believe you may have had contact with poison ivy while out working or walking, take a shower as soon as you get home. First remove your clothing and put it in the washer, before showering. If you shower first, and then pick up the contaminated clothing, you are right back into the same problem. Next, shower in warm water as cool as you can stand. Hot water opens the pores of the skin and allows oil to get in deeper. Then, be sure to use plenty of soap, and wash yourself completely at least twice.