Poison Ivy Determination And How To Get The Itch And Pain To Cease
Poison ivy is usually found growing up trees on a heavy vine. Vines have many hairs hanging from them and on those vines are clusters of leaves in threes that are shaped like almonds. The color of the leaves vary from dark to light green and in the fall they turn scarlet and contrary to popular belief the leaves do not have thorns. Leaves are smooth and glossy. They carry urushiol, an oil that causes a horrible rash on the skin of some people.
The oil of this plant can cause a rash that rivals no other. It causes an itch that never stops and it also hurts. Without attention this oil can spread everywhere and even invade the inside of the body through the nose, eyes, mouth and genitals. If this happens to you do not wait to try any home remedies. Just get to an emergency room immediately as the condition could turn fatal.
When the rash appears on the legs or arms it is usually red and inflamed, bumps can appear and then blisters rise. For generations pink Calamine lotion has been applied to control the pain and itch. People that get the rash have an allergy to the oil in poison ivy called urushiol and there are those lucky people that do not seem to be affected by touching poison ivy.
The rash can start within a few hours. Most of the time it takes about 12 to 48 hours for it to show up but the itching will start prior to that. If you take quick action you may get away with having the rash for just one week. In most cases it lasts an agonizing three to four weeks.
Poison Ivy does not have to be touched to get a rash. Never burn the plant either dead or alive because the oil travels through the air in the smoke and if it is inhaled it can get into the lungs and be fatal. A dog that runs in poison ivy can give it to its owner just by having them pet him while the oil is still on his fur. Be careful when cleaning dead vines from your yard ad poison ivy can harbor the harmful oil for almost 2 years after the vine has died.
If you see that you have touched a leaf of the ivy you need to spring into action. It is essential for you to wash the area touched with rubbing alcohol within 10 minutes of touching it. Once you use alcohol rinse the area down with water from the hose or with cold water inside the house and never use hot water because it will allow the oil to spread out. Also do not immerse yourself in a bath because the oil that remains on the body will spread all over. Rinsing is the most effective way to get rid of it.
Put gloves on and go inside and remove clothing and shoes. Get in the shower and wash with soap but not regular soap. Use dish washing liquid but only the kind that repels grease, not the kind with lotion in it. When you are done make sure to don gloves again and wipe everything you had on your body down and any tools you may have used with rubbing alcohol and water. The oil can stay on clothing and it will infect you next time you put them on or if you put them in the washing machine it can spread the oil to other clothes.
Calamine lotion has been the traditional treatment for the condition but you can also use steroid cream or take an oral antihistamine. Some doctors will administer steroids orally or with an injection. Try a cool bath with three tablespoons of baking soda dissolved in the water. A great old remedy is to make some Old Fashion Oatmeal and let it cool. Spread it on the area and let it dry. If it starts to flake or fall off secure it with some gauze bandages.
Other remedies include vinegar because tends to draw the oil from the skin so dab some on to the affected area. This will hurt at first but it is worth it in the end. Spreading honey on the rash and covering with gauze might be messy but it works. It is said that peeling a banana and putting the inside part of the peel against the rash will stop the itch and cool the inflammation. The best remedy for poison ivy is prevention. Stay away from it if you see it and if you notice that you have touched it take preventative measures immediately. If the rash is severe and excessive swelling occurs do not wait, go directly to the hospital.
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