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Herbal Wisdom:  Poison Ivy Help  |
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gwennym
Farmgirl in Training
26 Posts
Gwen
Edwardsville
IL
USA
26 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 09 2008 : 8:16:11 PM
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Hi to all.........
I'm on my 4th bout with poison ivy and am wondering what all you Farmgirls do to alleviate the itching, etc. I've been using Burt's Bees Poison Ivy Soap and Calamine lotion with some success, but I'd love to hear other remedies.
Thanks!
Gwen |
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Patty MorningRamble
True Blue Farmgirl
65 Posts
Patty
Keene
TX
USA
65 Posts |
Posted - Jan 09 2008 : 8:26:12 PM
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Well this is not a remedy but a fun sort of prevention. Our milk goats ate all the poison ivy on our land in Oregon when we lived there and I suspect their milk acted like a bit of a homeopathic since after drinking their milk, we could just skip through the poison ivy and oak and never have an outbreak. So maybe getting a milk goat or two might just be a good preventive measure : )
http://morningramble.blogspot.com/
http://morningramblegifts.com/ |
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Marybeth
True Blue Farmgirl
6418 Posts
Mary Beth
Stanwood
Wa 98292
USA
6418 Posts |
Posted - Jan 09 2008 : 8:42:36 PM
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We used to get poison oak as kids and we would rub the inside of the banana peel over the rash and it would dry up and it's been so long ago but I think it stopped the itching. I have some stuff now that works real good for drying up the sores. It is called 'Ivy-Dry'. It is for Poison Ivy, Oak, Sumac and insect bites. I got bit by a hobo spider last summer and I tried many things to dry it up and finally found the Ivy-dry. Hope any of that helps you. Try the banana peel. MB
www.strawberryhillsfarm.blogspot.com
www.day4plus.blogspot.com www.holyhouses-day4plus.blogspot.com
"Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well dance!" |
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Peanut
True Blue Farmgirl
603 Posts
Jennifer
Waverly
Virginia
USA
603 Posts |
Posted - Jan 10 2008 : 12:00:07 PM
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The Farmer's Friend soap by Burt's Bees works well too.
So do salt baths.
I'm sorry... my husband suffers from poison ivy terribly.
"What is a farm but a mute gospel?"
Ralph Waldo Emerson |
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Rosemary
True Blue Farmgirl
1825 Posts
Virginia
USA
1825 Posts |
Posted - Jan 10 2008 : 1:18:58 PM
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You're not going to like this. Run -- do not walk -- to your nearest drug store and plunk down $32 or so for a tube of Zanfel. It's a cream. You rub a very small amount into the affected area with warm water, then rinse it off. It works within 15 seconds to completely take away the itch. You'll use it periodically after that to keep yourself from going mad. I bet you'll be so thrilled with how well Zanfel works, you'll never want to not have some on hand, in spite of the expense. It's that good.
When trying to refresh my memory about this product's name, I Googled around and noticed a product called Dermoblast or Dermoplast (Dermo Something, anyway) that looked as if it works it he same way. The price was $27 and change. I couldn't find it again, though. A trip to the pharmacist might reveal a slightly less expensive version of Zanfel.
In a worst-case scenario, like one I had a couple of years ago that required two rounds of prescription prednisone tablets to cure, you might have to actually see a doctor.
Meanwhile, don't do stuff that will dry out your skin. Don't do hot water -- it's a temporary mini-relief that will irritate you worse in the long run. Don't take a bath in ANYTHING, no matter how soothing it sounds, because that will spread microscopic bits of the poison ivy oil, possibly even onto (or into) your "lady bits," which is definitely something you don't want to experience. Be careful when you shower while you have this active case, for the same reason.
Wash everything you were wearing of have touched in the strongest soap you have. Twice. Consider throwing these things away, instead. Really.
Good luck to you, honey. |
Edited by - Rosemary on Jan 10 2008 1:22:30 PM |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Jan 10 2008 : 1:39:11 PM
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Let's see, I used to use the old stand by of calamine lotion and then cover it with cotton and bandage. I read somewhere, like Mara stated, the oils are what spread. Just change the everything every few hours and again, wash with strong soap and cold water. Re-apply.
When I was little, my mom diluted some bleach (say a capful in entire 2 gallon bucket of cold water) and I would soak my feet in it (yep, still didn't wear shoes after that either : ) )It seem to dry out the poison ivy. Not the most healthiest choice but it did work.
Cheers,
Heather |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Jan 11 2008 : 07:08:39 AM
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I can look at poison ivy and get it everywhere, but I always keep Tecnu Wash (I buy in 3's). As soon as I come in from outside, if I know I've been anywhere where I might get poison Ivy, I remove my clothes, they go directly into the washing machine, and then I use Tecnu Wash to wash my forearms, hands, neck, etc...I use it almost everyday after working in the yard in the springtime and summer for sure. I used it several days ago, in fact, after I found my little beagle, Bad Seed, running in our neighbor's "wild" backyard...I even put some on a cloth and rubbed her down with it!!!!
Basically, what I learned from my dermatologist (she's the one who recommened Tecnu) is that if you wash your exposed parts as soon as you think you've made contact, or (in my case,have an unhealthy fear that you have  ) go inside and use the Tecnu. It eliminates the oils that cause the reaction. It's worked for me and I get it like CRAZY.
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
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Hideaway Farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1553 Posts
Jo
Virginia
USA
1553 Posts |
Posted - Jan 11 2008 : 07:22:36 AM
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As a "I just look at it and I will get it", poison ivy sufferer and two severe prednisone treatments survivor, I share Jonni's totally realistic fear of a poison ivy breakout and I use a similar washing up routine anytime I think I might have been exposed to poison ivy. I use bleach and water solution though, followed by a cool to lukewarm (not HOT, for goodness sake) shower if necessary.
Be very careful to wash your clothing as the oils will stay on the fabric and continue to be a hazard. I try to get out of my clothing as carefully as possible to avoid brushing up aginst it before it gets into the washer. And it goes in immediately, no mixing it up in the laundry hamper or carrying it through the house with other stuff.
Same goes for animals; my most recurrent cases occured when our golden retreiver would brush up against the backs of my legs in the summertime. Kept wondering, how the heck did I get poison ivy there? And on the insides of my forearms, another mystery finally solved when I realized I was laying that part of my arm right on his ruff when I would pet or scratch him. If I get it in one spot, it starts to spread randomly over the rest of my body like a systemic plaque of some sort, so Jonni, you ain't got nothing on me in the "unhealthy fear? Just call it RESPECT" department!
I think they make an oatmeal bath product that can help soothe the itch as well. It's a nasty, nasty thing, I hope your rash heals up soon.
There are a lot of earlier postings about poison ivy treatment too; use the search function here at the FarmGirl Connection.
If this is your 4th episode, you might be becoming more susceptible/less resistant to the poison ivy toxin, so PREVENTION and post-exposure wash-up will be your best friends (other than us, of course!)
Jo (starting to feel itchy myself just thinking about you.....aaaaaah)
"Wish I had time to work with herbs all day!" |
Edited by - Hideaway Farmgirl on Jan 12 2008 06:41:54 AM |
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ddmashayekhi
True Blue Farmgirl
4759 Posts
Dawn
Naperville
Illinois
USA
4759 Posts |
Posted - Jan 11 2008 : 09:34:13 AM
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We used to have a enormous crop of poison ivy growing in our yard. My husband had a severe reaction to it. Technu is the best thing we found to deal with the problem. Whenever we finish working in the yard, we lotion ourselves up with it, wait a few minutes & shower. It prevents any breakouts.
Poison ivy is never dormant. The nasty stuff is dangerous all year long. We were able to eradicate it from our yard after a few years of diligently digging up and safely removing the stuff. Remember, never burn it! Good luck on making your yard & yourself poison ivy free!
Dawn in IL |
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gwennym
Farmgirl in Training
26 Posts
Gwen
Edwardsville
IL
USA
26 Posts |
Posted - Jan 11 2008 : 10:40:38 PM
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Thanks to all who have graciously given me some ideas. I've been using the Burt's bees soap, with fair success, and, of course, the old standby Calamine. What was weird about the whole thing was that I KNOW I was in some Poison ivy a couple of weekends ago, cleaning up brush, chainsawing small saplings, etc., but didn't get it for an entire week ---- it was either still on my jacket or shoes, both of which I've washed WELL. As for the goats, I discovered their like of P.I. vines through my mom's book "Don't Kiss a Goat on the Lips...." --- who knew??!!
I think I'll try the Technu first before I plunk down $32 on the Zanfel --- we'll see. Hmmm, I DO have a ripe banana in the kitchen...........it's worth a try!
Thanks, gals, I totally appreciate it!
Gwen
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Rosemary
True Blue Farmgirl
1825 Posts
Virginia
USA
1825 Posts |
Posted - Jan 13 2008 : 8:45:53 PM
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I can look at poison ivy and get it everywhere, but I always keep Tecnu Wash (I buy in 3's).
Yes, Technu is good stuff. It's the thing to use RIGHT AFTER exposure. We keep some on hand for that.
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Rosemary
True Blue Farmgirl
1825 Posts
Virginia
USA
1825 Posts |
Posted - Jan 13 2008 : 8:56:38 PM
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[quote]Originally posted by gwennym
Thanks to all who have graciously given me some ideas. I've been using the Burt's bees soap, with fair success, and, of course, the old standby Calamine.
[/quote
Gwen, be careful using calamine lotion. I learned from my dermatologist that it's very drying, and can actually prolong the outbreak, or even make it worse. The active ingredient in calamine is zinc. If you don't want to deviate too much from what you're familiar with, you might ask your pharmacist for a tube of plain zinc ointment, like the kind nursing mothers use on chapped nipples. That avoids the drying issue. (There are products on the shelves with zinc in them, but usually with other ingredients you don't need, and they cost more.)
But I swear by Zanfel. The first time you use it (follow the directions EXACTLY), you'll know why I'm such a drum-beater for it. It's well worth the money. |
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kimmieinNMS
Farmgirl at Heart
3 Posts
Kim
Byhalia
MS
USA
3 Posts |
Posted - Jan 14 2008 : 2:28:13 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by ddmashayekhi
We used to have a enormous crop of poison ivy growing in our yard. My husband had a severe reaction to it. Technu is the best thing we found to deal with the problem. Whenever we finish working in the yard, we lotion ourselves up with it, wait a few minutes & shower. It prevents any breakouts.
Poison ivy is never dormant. The nasty stuff is dangerous all year long. We were able to eradicate it from our yard after a few years of diligently digging up and safely removing the stuff. Remember, never burn it! Good luck on making your yard & yourself poison ivy free!
Dawn in IL
There are two ways of exerting one's strength: one is pushing down, the other is pulling up.
(Booker T. Washington 1856-1915)
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kimmieinNMS
Farmgirl at Heart
3 Posts
Kim
Byhalia
MS
USA
3 Posts |
Posted - Jan 14 2008 : 2:32:46 PM
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The best thing I have found for Poison Ivy is Hyland's homeopathic remedy for Poison Oak, Poison Ivy and Poison Sumac. You dissolve a couple of tablets under your tongue and within a day it is drying up and it certainly doesn't spread (I have that systemic sort of spreading also.) It was recommended by a family friend who was never without it after I had had the Poison ivy for months and it was spreading and turning my skin black and purple and green, two rounds of antibiotics and a round of steroids...nothing helped....Hylands started working immediately but I had scars for months.
There are two ways of exerting one's strength: one is pushing down, the other is pulling up.
(Booker T. Washington 1856-1915)
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Miss Bee Haven
True Blue Farmgirl
4331 Posts
Janice
Louisville/Irvington
Kentucky
USA
4331 Posts |
Posted - Jan 14 2008 : 3:47:31 PM
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I've used the bleach thing that Jo recommended and it worked amazingly well for me. I mentioned it to some nurses in my doc's office later on and they all went a little crazy: "You did WHAT? You took a BATH in WHAT????" LOL Ivy Dry works great for me too, as long as I take the time to slather it on myself before I go out. And it WILL stay on clothes for what seems like an eternity. I've just thrown clothes away before(I just go back to a thrift store).
Farmgirl Sister #50
"If you think you've got it nailed down, then what's all that around it?"
'Br.Dave Gardner' |
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gwennym
Farmgirl in Training
26 Posts
Gwen
Edwardsville
IL
USA
26 Posts |
Posted - Jan 15 2008 : 11:15:04 AM
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Gwen, be careful using calamine lotion.
But I swear by Zanfel. The first time you use it (follow the directions EXACTLY), you'll know why I'm such a drum-beater for it. It's well worth the money.
[/quote]
I will look for the Zanfel and (for grins) the Hyland pills. The calamine IS very drying, compounded with cold/dry winter weather, my skin starts to hurt after a while.
Also, since goats eat poison ivy, I will most likely get a couple to help with that issue.
I also like the idea of keeping clothes around especially for working with stuff like that. I could probably keep a couple changes of work clothes down in the barn for brush-clearing, etc.
Fantastic ideas!
Farmgirls ROCK!
Gwen |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Jan 27 2008 : 03:59:49 AM
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Can't recall who said to sah in cold water... but that's imperative!
Hot water on skin makes it spread.
I also used to get it badly as a kid.
ever notice how badly it itches at night??
I have usd the Ivy Dry, Tecnu with good success aln also used to use someting called Rhuli gel. Back in the late 90's it was one of the first clear gel ivy drying agents. I still keep the tube even though it's since long expired.
The herbal soaps we use contain juice from the Jewel Weed plant. You'll find it growing near streams and sometimes growing next to stinging nettels. The juice makes the itch and sting go away.
Rashes behind knees and in elbow joints are the worst!
In my younger /tougher years, in fits of desperation, I'd rake open the blisters and pour straight bleach into my skin. The pain from that was almost more bearable than the bad itch. But I don't recommend this since strong bleach will cause permanent scarring. |
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EnchantedWoodsGirl
True Blue Farmgirl
959 Posts
Kathy
New Jersey
USA
959 Posts |
Posted - Jan 28 2008 : 10:37:43 PM
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Get a bar of Fels Naptha soap in an older grocery store or drug store. You lather it up real good and let the lather dry on the skin for about half hour to 45 mintures then rinse off. Helps to dry it up and stop the itching. I have seen it work!
Kathy of the Enchanted Wood
Farmgirl Sister #59
http://enchantedwoodmusings.blogspot.com/
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Herbal Wisdom: Poison Ivy Help |
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Poison Ivy Help
