Oh no,

I'm covered with it, and it itches, and man oh man, it itches terribly bad.

And, you would not believe where it itches, but it itches there too. Blisters, rashes, bumps and itches.

Think I'm going to the clinic today. Maybe I can get a cortisone shot. Someone suggested they amputate at the shoulders, but that seems like overkill.

One thing for sure, it just plain itches, and I refuse to have anything cut off.

Anybody have any home remedies for poison ivy itch? 9N'er

p.s. did I ever tell you about Renee? better than my story about TSX 33 Carbs!!!

2 C. water Tobacco from 3 cigarettes

Combine water and tobacco. Bring to a boil and simmer about 5 minutes.

Carefully strain all the tobacco from the brew, since it may burn sensitive skin. Let the liquid cool. Apply it to inflamed areas with a clean cloth. This ensures immediate relief from the itching and burning discomfort.

Got this from a very reliable source.

Hope this helps

The Coasters (remember them?) said "you are going to need an ocean of Calamine lotion". I don't know if they still make that stuff.

Poison Oak doesn't grow at this elevation so I am fortunate. Good luck.

Mountainman (CA)

Mountainman (CA)

I like to follow the advice on this Board, and if everyone said cutitoff, I would have to say, that this would be the first time I would have some serious doubts about the expertiese of this Board.

Got to run...I mean scratch, oh by the way, the mosquitos are coming out, the black flies too, pulled two wood ticks out of my receding hairline and I noticed a ground wasp or hornets nest by my woodsplitter. Danger lurks around every corner. Ahhhhh summer and working in the woods and brush, got to love it! 9N'er

>> oh by the way, the mosquitos are coming out, the black flies too, pulled two wood ticks out of my receding hairline and I noticed a ground wasp or hornets nest by my woodsplitter. Danger lurks around every corner<<

Don't worry! Somewhere there's a government bureaucrat preparing legislation/regulations to protect us all from EVERYTHING!

Regards,
Darryl

I like to follow the advice on this Board, and if everyone said cutitoff, I would have to say, that this would be the first time I would have some serious doubts about the expertiese of this Board.

Got to run...I mean scratch, oh by the way, the mosquitos are coming out, the black flies too, pulled two wood ticks out of my receding hairline and I noticed a ground wasp or hornets nest by my woodsplitter. Danger lurks around every corner. Ahhhhh summer and working in the woods and brush, got to love it! 9N'er

If you're particularly sensitive to poison ivy (sounds like you may be) watch out for your dog if you have one. If the dog goes through a patch of p.i. and comes to you to be petted the oils from the offending plant can be transferred to you. My daughter kept getting light cases of p.i. and we couldn't figure out where she was getting it. I read about the dog possibility and with a little observation determined that was the likely source. Something to watch for, maybe.

Regards, Darryl

PS I once got a #10 case in /around my eyes as a kid from burning wood at a winter skating party which had some vines on it. Eyes swelled shut, pretty miserable.

Prednisone, cortisone shot, and Fels Naptha soap for the weeping (found in laundry section).

I wouldn't even think of fighting it off without Prednisone.

Most of us who have been sensitive since childhood have learned to see it and avoid it. By "see it" I mean, it just visually jumps out of the surroundings as if it were painted orange, no need to look for it. If contact is made, immediately wash with cool water from a brook, or scrub with the juice of a nearby watery plant like jewel weed (snap weed, toutch me not) or the like (not nettles). If you are close to home, leave your clothes in the washing machine on your way to jump in the shower and wash off with soap and warm water, following immediately with clorox or an iodine surigical scrub. Chlorine and iodine chemically tie up urushiol (the oily substance which causes the dermatitis. Remember that any implements which were used in the poison ivy will remain a source of recontamination until they are cleaned.

Once you have it, just don't scratch (much). Oatmeal baths, corticosteroid creams, calimine lotion, etc. help but you will still have to grin and bear it. It will go away on its own in about a week or week and a half, if left untreated...seven to ten days with treatment.

There is lots of good info on the web: try this link.

Happy scratching,

Paul

BTW, I was born there, so I've heard all the jokes.

I'll have to ask grandma about the touch-me-nots. I'll bet she's heard of them.

Sounds like some good stuff.

Tyman

Some recommend oatmeal, others use the juice and pulp from Impatiens Pallida, called touch-me-not, jewelweed or snapweed.

The histamines released that cause you to itch have a limited supply. Stand in a hot shower (as hot as you can stand) for 5 full minutes. That will release all the itch you got and allow you to work and function for about four hours itch free. Do it again when the four hours are up. This is the only relief I have ever found. It really works!

Take Care
Steve

Tyman

They make a kit now, by prescription from your doctor. I guess it's a series of antihistamine pills that you take over a period of days.

I use a very mild solution of Clorox/ cold water after exposure to p.i. Seems to work. Once you get it, the best remedy is to put boxing gloves on your hands and tie your hands behind your back, so you can't scratch it.

later,dave

ROFL..... ...Ed

Tyman

Oh nooooo ooooo ooooo o

Last year I had it 4 times about as bad as you are describing. Just couldn't get it through my head that when you mow through it you need to shower immediately. I have already had one bout with it this year and the snow wasn't even gone yet. That time I got it from cutting a vine and pulling it with bare hands. I can normally get away with this if all I touch is the woody bark, but this time the bark stripped off in my hands and I was covered in the pitch.

Remedies: Aint None but Time

But there are things that will help.
Chlorine swimming pools are one, but I don't recommend just jumping into the neighbors hot tub ;-)
Home made Lye Soap is another good way to help dry it out. I am fresh out though and the woman that makes it for me has not butchered off a hog in a few years so I may have to start making it myself.
The last one that really works is 'Sweet Fern'.
You being from NH and all, I think you will know this fern by this name. It grows on sandy half shaded banks all over Vermont, so I am assuming that you can find some too.
What you do is pick it, dry it hanging overnight and then crush and make a tea as strong as you can get it. Some oldtimers will drink some too, but what you do is swab it on the affected areas and let it dry. You will feel almost immediate relief and it actually will speed the healing of the blisters.

Sure hope some of this helps!

Leaves of three, let it be...