I've got poison ivy all over my face. Eyes swollen nearly shut, the whole nine yards. I really don't want to get a steroid shot.

Any home remedies for the itching and the swelling???

PLEASE HELP ME Oh resourceful people of POAC!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rub oatmeal or tobacco on it.

Lefty.

I did this whaen I was much younger, but even thinking about it scares the shit outta me
and I don't suggest you do this, but, it did, as I recall, work for me!



Mix bleach 50/50 with water, dap it on the poison ivy infection with a cotton ball.
It stings like a sombitch, and I don't know how it works, but it did.

Might be safer if the solution is deluted a lot more. a few drops into a cup of water.


My sister in law suggested this treatment to me when I was like 15 and she was like 23.
And as I said, putting bleach on your face to me just sounds crazy as all hell.

Maybe try a teeny tiny bit in a very small place.



Othewise, outmeal treatment.

Put ordinary oatmeal into a blender,
and run it till it's all a very fine powder.
then mix with a small amount of sterile water to make a paste.

If yer kid ever gets chicken pox, put the power into hot bathwater and have him soak.
Stops the itch like a miracle drug.



The bleach idea.
Please be very very careful!
In fact, don't do it at all!

No, Lefty, don't do the bleach thing.

Do you have access to an indoor swimming pool? The chlorinated water will help to dry out the lesions and ease itching. Remember that what you're seeing is your body's hyper-reactive response to the oils in poison ivy, not the result of the oils themselves, thus, your body has to complete its response cycle. Stay well fed, well hydrated and well rested in order to keep your immune system optimzed, and talk to your doctor if you have any signs of secondary infection.

I can imagine how uncomfortable you are, and I feel for you. Keep your chin up, it won't take long to pass!

Thanks guys. Don't worry, I would NEVER put bleach on my skin. (Though I have had it recommended about 39 times today when people see me)

I guess I'll just tough it out. IT SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

go get the shot, chicken!

I'm not a chicken!

I don't like the idea of putting additional non-made by my own body steroids into my system.

"Splash on and sing along to this! "

How did I know he was gonna say that?!?

The oatmeal really does help the itch and pain.
Avena sells it, (Oatmeal Bath) only you can make the same thing MUUUUCH cheaper.

I don't like it either, but some times you gotta. Having poison ivy where you do is dangerously close to your respiratory system. i'd at least see a doctor and see what they think. PLease?????

Got any pics?

Swollen eyes sounds rather sexy

Just kidding.

HOpe you feel better soon!!!

I never react to poison ivy, oak, or sumack, but I am highly allergic to cut grass. Life is funny like that sometimes.

Same here. I'm allergic to almost everything, but not plants of the poison ivy variety.

Well, to you guys.

I'm allergic to fricken everything. DAMMIT.

could write a book on it.

Calamdine lotion ( as I reall, spelling may be wrong ) is the only relief.

As a youth in Kansas, I was very allergic to poison Ivy. I had it everywhere at one time or another. Simple Mud will work as well. Mud from the river. Smear it over all infected areas and relax. Get used to the itch. Read big Books. Listen to good Music. Distract Attraction however.
The Mud must be a clean Mud. That is, Mud, from a creek where Fish, preferably Perch live.

Another absolute Cure is to leave the USA. Sorry. Bad Joke.

I did calamine when I was a kid and got poison ivy on my face as lefty did.
It didn't touch it!

The bleach though did work, and it worked over night!

HAHAHA.

We never tried bleach. Cannot say if it is good or effective.

I was a bad one. Noone else in the family was so alergic as I was to poison Ivy.

We moved away and other issue arrised. LOL.

I'm sorry to say, the lotion applied and a fan on it, there is not much more one can do.

Poison Ivy shaped my personal Religion. No doubt. No kidding. No shit.

Get well soon, Lefty !

Lefty,

How's it going?

We need an update.

For future reference, when you go awalking in the wood, apply a bit of mugwort to your tender hide before. It often grows nears poisons oak and ivy. Crush the leaves and rub it into all exposed areas. If none is available, use essential oil of, mixed with your favorite lotion or sun block. You don't need much of the essential oil. It prevents the oil of whatever else from irritating your skin.

Update:

Thanks everyone for all of the well-wishes.

My nostrils started swelling closed gradually throughout today, so I called the doc, and he had me come straight in and gave me a nice and painful shot right in my arse. Said I should be able to breathe clearly in a few hours.

Sounds like a blast.