Poison ivy help?????

I have poison ivy and im really allergecic to it. I have the kind were it spreads like crazy. im using this cream called technu extreme and it jus seams to spread it more. So how do you keep it from spreading..?????

Poison ivy help?????
I use a cream called Zanfel. It's not cheap (like $30 a tube) but it cleared me up in like 3 days. I don't usually get it too bad but the pharmacist said it's the best stuff out there to prevent spreading. Might want to check it out, you can get it at any drug store. I think I got mine at either CVS or Wallgreens. Good luck, poison ivy sucks.
Reply:1) wash sheets, pillow cases, and any clothes that might be contaiminated. It is the oil resin from the leaf that causes the allergy.



2) wash the skin with a mild soap, and rinse well.



3) load up on benadry (generic diphenhydramine) during the night and claritin(generic available) durning the day. These antihistamines help.



4) Hydrocortisone cream 1%



All the above do not require a doctor's prescription. There are more powerful corticosteroids that require a prescription.



The FDA recommends using a rubbing alcohol wash, but that to me seems it would irritate the skin.
Reply:Wow. Never heard of technu extreme... wonder what's in it? Best thing for poison ivy is benadryl (oral not topical) which inhibits the allergic reaction. You can also use topical Hydrocortizone cream which will reduce the inflammation. If the poison ivy has spread to certain delicate areas (genitals, eyes, perianal, etc.) then a physician can prescribe or give you an injection of a powerful anti inflammatory drug, but they usually try to avoid doing that if possible. If you're into wholistic or herbal care, I recommend a komboucha mushroom (a flabby colony of bacteria, lichens, and yeasts) applied topically for 24 hours. They have some anti inflammatory properties as well.
Reply:wash with technu soap and make sure you wash anything else you may have rubbed the oil from the poison oak plant on by accident (clothes, pillow, etc) Also, wash your pet if you have one that could have brushed up against the poison oak. That is really all you can do. The uroshiol oil from the poison oak plant causes the rash, and once it is washed away with the Technu it should not spread. The weepy stuff from the rash does not spread the rash and you cannot give it to anyone else once those oils are washed away. If it you start swelling a lot go see a doctor and get a steroids so you dont look like that kid from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory who turns into a giant blueberry.