How To Treat Poison Ivy

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Uh... did you just sit in a patch of poison ivy? Yeah you did! Now what?

To complete this How-To you will need:

Rubbing alcohol
Cool water
Soap
Hydrocortisone cream
Calamine lotion
Cotton balls
Menthol cream
Cool compresses
Jewelweed sap

Warning: Seek medical attention immediately if you experience a severe allergic reaction to poison ivy, such as a swelling of the mouth or nose, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or a high fever.

Step 1: Clean the area with rubbing alcohol and cold water

If you've been exposed to poison ivy and you act quickly, you may be able to avoid an outbreak. Pour rubbing alcohol on the area that came in contact with the plant, then rinse with cold running water.

Tip: Do not rinse with warm or hot water, which can cause the plant's oils to be absorbed more quickly. Also, to avoid spreading the oils, don't take a bath, and avoid showering without first rinsing.

Step 2: Wash with soap and water

Use soap and water to thoroughly wash the area. This might help prevent the outbreak. Scrub under your fingernails, and immediately remove and wash your clothes (and anything else that might have the plant's oils on it) in hot water.

Tip: If you have one on hand, use a poison ivy-specific cleanser, like Tecnu or Zanfel.

Step 3: Know the signs of a poison ivy outbreak

Be on the lookout for the symptoms, which appear between four and 48 hours after exposure. They can include redness, itching, swelling, and blisters. Although you won't be able to cure the rash, you can help reduce the itching.

Warning: If an outbreak covers your entire body, or is on your eyes, mouth, or genitals, see a doctor.

Step 4: Use anti-itch products

Once the outbreak has begun, use over-the-counter anti-itch products, like hydrocortisone cream, calamine lotion, and menthol creams (like Sarna). See which works best for you, and don't scratch any blisters!

Step 5: Apply cool compresses

Applying cool compresses to the affected area can help relieve irritation. Also, instead of water, you can use an astringent solution with aluminum sulfate, like Domeboro.

Tip: A natural remedy is to rub on the sap of the jewelweed plant, also known as touch-me-not. It's found in damp, shady areas, often near poison ivy. From summer to fall, look for orange trumpet-like flowers.

Step 6: Take a colloidal oatmeal bath

Still suffering? Soak in a cool tub filled with water and a colloidal oatmeal treatment (like Aveeno).

Step 7: Take an oral antihistamine before bed

Before bed, take an oral antihistamine, like Benadryl, to help with the symptoms and make you drowsy.

Step 8: See a doctor

If the blisters begin to ooze pus, if you develop a fever above 100°, or if the outbreak doesn't clear up within a few weeks, see a doctor. You may have caused a secondary infection by scratching and could need antibiotics.

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[Megafloejoe]

NO TOP COMMENT YAY!!!!!!

[Giann57Angelito]

Step 1: Push Justin Bieber into the Poison Ivy

[nathaniel1220]

Step 1. Just see a damn doctor

[itsjon1313]

Hahahaha

[monsterhighrox1234]

Step one: DONT WORRY! CHUCK NORRIS WILL SAVE US!!

Did you know that colors are different?

[keptyeti]

This advice is all wrong. You need to use something created for the purpose of removing oils like Tecnu, Goop or even dish detergent. Use the whole damned container on your entire body. rinse in cold water. throw your tainted clothes away (pick them up with a stick that you will also throw away) . Nothing. Else . Works.

[marioshrederz9991]

My face is itching does anybody no y

[romu771]

nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo­oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo­oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo­oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo­oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo­oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo­oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo­oooooooooooooooooooooglobal warming is that bad?i hate gas cars and love electric cars.

[TheBananaMancer]

The little slap to the scratching hand was genious

[plumcrazypurp]

@420Ambient scrub them with a brush and rubbing alcohol, alcohol is the only thing i know of that will remove it.

[drifterguy4]

Fucking global warming

[powerofsonic]

@Giann57Angelito Step 2: Make sure the Poison Ivy is Also in his Throat so his Girly Voice Can itch and Kill him.