Few qustions about poison ivy?

i got poison ivy a few days ago, and it seems to be getting worse, i started to use some cream which seems too help the ichyness. but here are my questions

1. the cream has something called hydrocorisone 1%, is that just for the ichyness, or does it accually help it go away

2. how long does it take for poinson ivy to dry up so it will stop spreading

3. how long does it take to go away

4. i am wraping it up with banddays so the cream doesnt go everywhere, should i just keep it open?

Few qustions about poison ivy?
Hi there. Sounds like you've got a pretty bad case. Hydrocortisone only treats the symptoms, not the problem. You probably need a prescription of prednisone.



You probably shouldn't wrap your arm because it could cause ultra-absorption of the hydrocortisone. An overdose is unlikely, but the rash needs to dry up.



FYI, poison ivy isn't contagious, so you're not reinfecting yourself. The spreading of the rash is due to other less sensitive parts of the body that were exposed now manifesting symptoms. I had a case of poison ivy that kept getting worse and worse and worse after more than a week. Don't let it get that bad; get yourself to a doctor.
Reply:maybe this will help!What causes the rash?



Poison ivy is a common cause of contact dermatitis, an allergic reaction to something that comes in direct contact with the skin. This condition can be quite unpleasant, but does not pose serious health risks. Prevention is better than treatment, but it's often hard to achieve.



Poison ivy is one of many plants that produce a resin called an urushiol that can cause an allergic rash. Related plants include the familiar poison oak and sumac, which are found in different geographical distributions. (Poison ivy is more common in the eastern U.S. and poison oak in the southeast). The rash that each of these produce appears the same. In addition, the same urushiols are also found in the mango, cashew, and gingko trees. In the case of mangos, peeling the fruit prevents dermatitis. People who press the whole fruit, including the rind, against their skin can develop a severe reaction around the mouth. Those downwind from burning vegetation containing one of the offending plants can also develop widespread allergic reactions.



Identifying poison ivy



Although it is often recommended that people learn to recognize the poison ivy plant ("Leaves of three, leave them be"), in practice, this is hard to do, since poison ivy and its relatives are often mixed in with other vegetation and not noticed until after the rash has begun. Keeping the skin covered in situations when exposure is hard to avoid is the best way to prevent the problem.



More than half the population can react to the poison ivy resin if they are exposed to it.



The poison ivy rash



The poison ivy rash usually starts one or two days after exposure, though the delay between contact and onset can be longer, up to several days. This may lead to confusion over where exposure took place. The first signs of the rash are curved lines of red, itchy bumps or blisters. These continue to appear for many days, depending on how much resin touched the skin at a given point. This makes it seem as though the rash is "spreading," although the fluid in blisters is just part of the allergic reaction and contains no chemicals or bacteria. It also makes it appear that there may still be poison ivy in clothes and on pets. Although this is theoretically possible, repeated washing of these often produces no improvement.



Many references emphasize that animals can carry the poison ivy resin. No doubt this is true, but its practical significance may be limited. The first sign of poison ivy, after all, is usually a curved line. Unless your dog is shaped like a curved line, your poison ivy is more likely to have come from a stem or leaf which dragged against the skin, not from your pet.The drug bentoquatam 5% is in a lotion form that is to be applied to the skin at least 15 minutes before exposure to poison ivy, oak, or sumac. The lotion hardens to form a clay-like coating that can be seen on the protected portions of skin. Bentoquatam is manufactured under the trade name IvyBlock.



This preventative agent can be helpful to people traveling through wilderness areas where poison ivy, oak, or sumac are prevalent. It should be especially beneficial to hikers, park rangers, fire fighters, and others who must encounter these toxic plants.



The lotion must be reapplied every four hours for continuous protection. It is not to be used to treat the rash that has already developed from poison ivy, oak, or sumac. It is not recommended for children under the age of 6 yearsWhat is the treatment for poisoning from these plants?



The best approach to poison ivy dermatitis is prevention. Once it begins, the rash will usually clear on its own by 14-21 days. Treatment is directed at controlling the itching. Oral antihistamines (like Benadryl) may help the itch somewhat, but often do no more than make people drowsy. Cortisone creams, whether over-the-counter or by prescription, are only helpful if applied right away, before blisters appear, or much later, when the blisters have dried up. Compresses with cool water or Burow's solution (available without prescription) can help dry ooze faster.



When the rash is severe, such as when it affects the face or causes extensive blistering, oral steroids (for example, prednisone) help produce rapid improvement. This course of therapy should be maintained, often in decreasing doses, for 10-14 days or even longer in some cases, to prevent having the rash rebound and become severe again. Patients who are given a six-day pack of cortisone pills often get worse again when they complete it, because the dose was too low and kept up for too short a time.



Folklore, medical and otherwise, endorses many other agents, from aloe leaves to tea bags to meat tenderizer. These remedies are generally harmless, but are of questionable value.





How can contact with these plants be prevented?



Poison ivy and its relatives are often hidden among other vegetation. Even if you know exactly what they look like, it is very hard to avoid coming in contact with them. Although wearing long pants and long sleeves in warm weather may be uncomfortable, it is important to do so when you might be in contact with plants you can't see, whether you are gardening in the backyard or hiking in the woods. So-called "barrier creams" are not very effective.



When pulling up weeds, those who may be allergic should make sure to tuck sleeves into gloves at all times, since sleeves tend to ride up the forearms and leave wrists and forearms exposed.



If you think you may have been exposed to poison ivy, wash the skin with cool water as soon as possible. After half an hour, however, this is no longer likely to prevent the reaction. As discussed above, washing pets and clothing may also be of limited help.



Attempts to desensitize people by giving them poison ivy by mouth or by injection were tried in the past but proved to be ineffective and potentially dangerous.



Poison Ivy, Oak %26amp; Sumac At A Glance

Most people are susceptible to the rashes of poison ivy, oak and sumac.

The sap oil, called urushiol, causes the skin rash.

Poison ivy is not contagious.

Wash the oily sap from the skin with water and soap immediately.

Avoiding direct contact with the plants can prevent the rash.



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From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com



Skin Test For Allergy - Source:MedicineNet

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Reply:The cream helps the itching. The oil is now under your skin and pushes back out as part of the reaction. There is really nothing you can do at this point to make it go away.



It can take a couple of weeks to run its course. It may spread a bit as the oil slides along the under layers of your skin.



Keeping it wrapped is ok. If it's really bad and oozing, change the dressing frequently.
Reply:It only spreads when you first get it. I checked when I had it a couple weeks ago. It just seems like it spreads, because it doesn't all show up at once. Within three to five days it will all appear, not due to spreading, just the amount you originally had in that area. Once I notice no more appearing, it clears up in about a week to 10 days for me. I would just keep it dry and let it get air to avoid moisture and infection. I think the hydrocortisone just helps with the itch. There is probably nothing to get rid of it faster, unless you see your doctor and get a prescription. I hardly ever use calamine lotion or anything on it. Super hot showers/water help me best to take the itch away, but I read that is not the best thing for it. It will NOT spread (on yourself or others), no matter what you do. I've never tried a prescription, even when I had it on my face a few years back and it always goes away in a week or so.