Well I did it again. Don't know how but I've got poison ivy on my arms, neck and shoulders. I got a bad case of poison ivy about 12 years ago and it recurs anually in the spring and early summer. (Ottawa is the poison ivy capital of the world.)
If anyone has any advise (other than avoid poison ivy) I'd really appreciate it. Steroids have been suggested, but I'm not willing to throw away a shot at the Olympics yet (ha-ha).
Thanks
Peter "itching in Ottawa" Wray
In Reply to: Any Home Remeadies for Poison Ivy posted by Peter Wray on June 09, 1998 at 13:55:39:
Dear Peter,
This coming from south-central California where we have poison oak but not poison ivy, the thought may be useless, but one never knows...Around here, mugwort (the herb that's put in "dream pillows") grows right next to poison oak. From personal experience (based on local Indian lore) after having gracelessly fallen into a poison oak thicket and then frantically searching out the nearby mugwort and rubbing the crushed plant all over my exposed skin, I'm pretty sure I managed to avert a nasty outbreak of "oak."
I'm quite allergic to poison oak, so I was pleasantly surprised. Perhaps you have an analogous plant in your area that grows near poison ivy? Perhaps even mugwort...I have no idea what it's habitat range is. Short of that, just the basic baking soda slurry or oatmeal baths. Lots of luck!
Love, Kyra
In Reply to: Any Home Remeadies for Poison Ivy posted by Peter Wray on June 09, 1998 at 13:55:39:
Dear Peter,
Rhus Tox (homeopathic) is frequently very helpful. It is used internally AND topically.
Having said that, if I did not get immediate (24 hours) relief from itching with the Rhus Tox, I would get "Cortizone 10" (over the counter) cream & apply it liberally & rub in well wherever you have the rash. This will not hurt your olympic eligibility (grin).
Of course, although you do not want to hear it, the best is to become a student of the appearance & habits of poison ivy & learn how to avoid it. I know that is possible since I had to do it.
KY is probably the second "capital of the poison ivy world" and I was very suscpetible to it. However, once I learned about wellness, I could handle it with my bare hands & never get it. It took about a year of wellness before that happened but our general immunological immunity has something to do with our susceptibility.
Walt
In Reply to: Any Home Remeadies for Poison Ivy posted by Peter Wray on June 09, 1998 at 13:55:39:
Dear Peter,
I forgot to say:
Many people get poison ivy (in season) without ever actually touching the plant. ANYTHING (or anybody) that touches the plant will get the oil on their fur, clothes, tools or skin and you will get it by touching the "fomite". Only hot soapy washing will break down the oil so your touching the fomite will not get you.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Any Home Remeadies for Poison Ivy posted by Kyra on June 09, 1998 at 19:59:17:
Thanks, Kyra!
I don't know what you call mugwart but I will bet that it is what (in KY) we call jewel plant. It has a sort of juicy leaf with lovely little reddish orange flowers and grows exactly where you said it would (right beside the poison ivy).
I have found that rubbing it on anywhere the poison ivy may have touched is remarkably effective. The Bible says that the Lord put everything we might need for perfect health right here on the planet. The more I learn, the more I believe it!
Of course, it DOES work best right at the time of exposure!
Thanks for reminding me!
Namaste` Walt
In Reply to: Re: Any Home Remeadies for Poison Ivy posted by Kyra on June 09, 1998 at 19:59:17:
A plant that always grows in poison ivy's neighborhood, especially near water. It's got juicy stems you crush and apply to the skin to neutralize the p.i. It has yellow-orange flowers that look a bit like snapdragons, but they are single, not in spikes. And if you hold the leaves under water, they turn a bright, shiny silver color.
In Reply to: Any Home Remeadies for Poison Ivy posted by Peter Wray on June 09, 1998 at 13:55:39:
when i was a kid (many years ago) i used to get horrible poison ivy most every summer. at about age 15 i had a case that even shocked my family doctor. after the obligatory cortisone, he gave a kit that contained 3 dropper bottles of diluted poison ivy oil - one at 100 to 1, one at 50 to 1, and one at 10 to 1 ( i think those were the dilutions). the idea was to take one drop of the first bottle (in a capsule, being careful not to get any on the skin) the first day, followed by 2 drops on day two and so forth until all the bottles were empty. the resulting immunity was suppposed to last for a year but i've never had poison ivy since (i've lived in az where the stuff is scarce since 1980, but i lived in ky where it is definitely not scarce before. might be worth checking out for next year.
In Reply to: Re: Any Home Remeadies for Poison Ivy posted by Walt Stoll on June 12, 1998 at 08:47:58:
I believe the improved immunity theory. Last time I got this I was going crazy. Since embarking on a wellness program (as best I can) I find that I am not as bothered by the rash.
My guess is that I got it from a neighbourhood dog. We have none on our property in the 'burbs, but there is lots in the green belt where the neighbourhood pooches hang out.
I'll try the cortisone and the homeopathic remeady. Tea Tree Oil was also suggested to me.