Poison ivy symptoms and cures?

What are symptoms of poison ivy, and how can you cure it quickly?

Poison ivy symptoms and cures?
The symptoms are the appearance of little red water blisters on various places on the body. They are in clusters. This starts about 1-2 days after exposure. It is accompanied by the most INTENSE EXCRUCIATING itch that you can imagine. Usually the affected area keeps getting larger for a few days. POISON IVY IS HORRIBLE. There are over the counter things to help it (ask pharmacist) but for the most part it lasts for a full TWO WEEKS.

If you have it really bad and can't stand it, then you can visit the doctor and he/she will give you an injection of cortisone or something like that. That works pretty well and does shorten the time that it takes to heal. Whatever you do, DON'T SCRATCH IT.



I had a hyper-sensitivity to poison ivy for a few years and had it all summer. I did not even have to touch it. Just the wind blowing the oil molecules onto me was enough. I knew some kids who were actually hospitalized because they rolled in it and they had it all over their bodies.

Do yourself a favour! Learn how to identify poison ivy, oak and sumac (there's not as much sumac around) and keep yourself away from them. If in doubt about a plant, remember that 500 year old proverb, "Leaves of three, let it be!"

Good Luck to you. I hope that you don't have it too bad.
Reply:Symptoms:

rash

redness

sometimes swelling

burning

itching

blistering



Cure:

will usually go away by itself in a week or two

antihistamines

cortisone cream

steroids - if severe rash
Reply:The most significant, and most recognized, symptom of poison ivy is a red rash with pustules and often drainage from the rash. This is a localized rash found at the point of contact as well as at points where you have moved the reagent, such as by scratching the rash and then touching another body part. Note that you must have come in contact with the reagent on the poison ivy plant to get the rash. If you have not been in an area where overgrown plants have been, you likely do not have poison ivy.



As far as curing poison ivy, the best solution, as with most medical problems, is to see your physician. He/she will likely prescribe a steroidal cream to minimize itching and help with recovery and potentially an antibiotic. Sometimes, in cases of a very bad rash or a rash in a sensitive area such as the face or genitalia, an oral steroid may also be prescribed. Anyway you look at it, the medications will make the itch go away very quickly, and you can expect symptom improvement in one to two days.



Normal "treat at home" over-the-counter options include benadryl to decrease the itch and inflammation and hydrocortisone cream to decrease the itch and help with healing.



Another "at home" option is to spray the rash with vehicle aerosol brake cleaner. Long story short, the brake cleaner will pull fluid out of the rash, decreasing the itch as well as the risk of spreading the rash. This is a common treatment for those who do not see a physician, however there is a significant risk of health problems from exposure to the brake cleaner. Yes, it works, but it is very unhealthy for you.



Best bet, go to your physician or urgent care center and get medications. It will greatly minimize your suffering. Otherwise, go with the over-the-counter medicines.