Well, I am getting over my worse case of poison ivy I have ever had. I have never experienced much more than a mild traveling rash that goes away in a few days. This time however it has covered my body and literally made me go nuts from the constant scratching and itching. So I thought I would gather information to help others who are going through an experience themselves.

Itch Relief

-Calamine and Caladryl lotions are essential for drying and relief from the itching.

-Take repeated hot showers and spray directly on the itchiest places… the hotter the better and the hotter the longer your itch will subside when you are done. This seems to release the antihistimine your body produces that make you itchy and or confuse your nerve endings from an itch to a burn. But it does give valuable releif and you should make sure you do it especially before you go to bed.

-Benadryl.. this timeless medication will help the itch from the inside out.

-Aloe Vera gives a soothing relief that is instantly cooling and will help rehydrate your skin from its very dry condition after you treat your skin with everything else. You can find this in the sunscreen area… it is usually a green (hair gel) type of product.

Medical Treatments

-Pregnisone – this has been the lifesafer I have been waiting for… two days in and it is almost over for me…. but some have reported that their is no benefit from it for them. It is a timed steroid perscibed with a certain number of pills for a certain number of days then another amount of pills for the next few days and so on. it is meant to tapper you off of it because this is a potent steroid.

-Cortizone shots seem to be a hit and miss depending upon your doctor who is treating you and the severity of your rash. My doctor said that pregnisone was strong enough medication with the other medications I am already on and she wouldn’t give me the shot and pregnisone so I had to choose.

Poison Ivy

Poison Oak

Poison Sumac

The pictures above are typical pictures but you should know that the coloring, size of leave and thickness of the branches can change from one part of the country to another and also from spring to fall which may bring yellow and red shades to the leaves.