Over The Counter Topical And Prescription Medicines Used With Poison Ivy

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By Becca G Taylor

A woody vine that is in the sumac family and the Anacardiaceae family is what many know as poison ivy. This plant is among the most common human allergy for those in the United States, having more than half of all Americans being affected.

Many people think that rubbing or scratching the irritation from poison ivy will cause it to spread, but this is incorrect. The only way to spread the rash is to spread the urushiol oil, so it is best to wash the area well once a rash is seen and then there is no oil residue remaining. If a blister forms due to the rash, you can break the blisters but this can cause infection to set up and scarring as well. But the blisters bursting will not cause the rash to spread.

There are a few cures that seem to work better than others, and these are the ones that get rid of the urushiol oil that is located on the leaves of the plant that causes the irritation. Some think they are simply immune to the plant, and this is completely false. For people who have never had it before, poison ivy can take more than a week or so to have a rash appear, and the more times that you come into contact with it the more apt you are to have the rash.

Symptoms of the condition are a simple red raised rash in the area where contact with the poison ivy was made. After the rash appears, severe itching will be present until the rash is relieved. There are many topical solutions on the market that are made specifically to deal with this type of rash.

A product called Rhuli gel is offered by Band Aid, and is helpful drying out the blisters that will be present in the red areas, which deals with the itch. This product is available through department stores and drug stores in the first aid or health and beauty aisles.

Yet another itch relief product is Ivy Dry, that can be found in creams and liquids which helps to deal with the incessant itching. If a visit to the doctor is required, a common prescription is prednisone. This corticosteroid helps to suppress the immune system so that the reddened areas of rash do not itch.

A lot of doctors will also suggest that a warm bath with Epsom salt be used to help rid the itch and then to follow with a slathering of calamine lotion. Within a few days the itch and redness will go away, and no signs will remain.

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