I have poison ivy and can't stand the itching and pain. What can I do?
612422
If you don't want to walk around with pink chalky substances that dry it up, there's an alternative...there's a Benadryl or Caladryl clear that does the same thing, but it's a gel, and when you apply it, it disappears. Just keep applying it, and don't scratch when it gets itchy - it will just spread it. Make sure to wash your hands often in case you scratch then wipe your eyes, then you will have an even bigger problem on your hands. Also, if you are getting rid of it in your yard (word to the wise) DO NOT burn it, you can breathe the fumes, and it can get into your lungs, which causes a myriad of problems.
1095643
Put her in a bathtub with some baking soda and some Epsom salt.  The baking soda will relieve the itching.  And the Epsom salt will help dry them up to start in healing.  My daughter went through this all summer one year.  I felt so bad cause she really liked this little girl, but her bites were terrible.  Good luck.
56530
I am still working on this one myself- aveno oat meal baths, reguarly use a healing mosturizer (I like curel ultra healing extra strength skin hydrator) the key is to put it on before the itching starts- Ive been told not to use cortizone too much because it thins the skin- benadryl gel can be helpful- store it in the fridge so that its cold when it goes on- sarna anti-itch cream SOMETIMES helps- I also find it helpful sometimes to either apply an ice pack or wrap it in an ace bandage- Ive also been told to "pat dry" when getting out of shower/bath- avoid scratching at all costs- BELIEVE ME I KNOW HOW DIFFICULT THIS IS!!
1038555
Have to see,  did you get into something?  If it does not go away go see a DR. Could be scabies could be an elergic reaction to something you got into - Try taking BENEDRIL for the itch and if it doesn't go away then see a DR.
1110584
Someone who itches all over should seek medical care. Because itching can be caused by such a wide variety of triggers, a complete physical exam and medical history will help diagnose the underlying problem. A variety of blood and stool tests may help determine the underlying cause.\nAntihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) can help relieve itching caused by hives, but won’t affect itching from other causes. Most antihistamines also make people sleepy, which can help patients sleep who would otherwise be awake from the itch. Specific treatment of itching depends on the underlying condition that causes it. In general, itchy skin should be treated very gently. While scratching may temporarily ease the itch, in the long run scratching just makes it worse. In addition, scratching can lead to an endless cycle of itch—scratch—more itching. To avoid the urge to scratch, a person can apply a cooling or soothing lotion or cold compress when the urge to scratch occurs. Soaps are often irritating to the skin, and can make an itch worse; they should be avoided, or used only when necessary.\nCreams or ointments containing cortisone may help control the itch from insect bites, contact dermatitis or eczema. Cortisone cream should not be applied to the face unless a doctor prescribes it. Probably the most common cause of itching is dry skin. There are a number of simple things a person can do to ease the annoying itch:\n• don’t wear tight clothes\n• avoid synthetic fabrics\n• don’t take long baths\n• wash the area in lukewarm water with a little baking soda\n• for generalized itching, take a lukewarm shower\n• try a lukewarm oatmeal (or Aveeno) bath for generalized itching\n• apply bath oil or lotion (without added colors or scents) right after bathing
504088
try tea tree oil with some grapeseed oil, your dr. should have given you a steroid shot, if not I would go back and get one.\nIf your scratching, don't! Try not to even touch it.  you don't want it to get into sensitive areas--eyes, mouth, nose, south of the border region... After you take a shower, rinse in the coolest water you can, it will close up your pores so it won't spread so bad.\n\nA stupid question here, is it possible it is not poison ivy? Are you allergic to anything you may have eaten? Were you spraying poison on it at the time? You may have a reaction to what chemical you were using.  \n\nGood Luck---that crap is nasty
545486
Ask a pharmacist.  They can give you some very good suggestions until you can see your doctor.  Calamine lotion might work.
36625
When it gets red, dry and itcy, you can use hydrocortisone cream. You can get it OTC. Do not use the cream for more than 2 weeks. Take benadryl to stop the itchiness so that you wont scratch and worsen it. Keep it mosturized all the all time. I like Aveeno, it is a soy-base moisturizer. Protect your skin from chemicals that irritate your skin by weraing gloves. If this doesnt help, I would suggest you get help from a doctor. It might be not be just skin allergy.
626524
Nothing will get rid of it but time. In the mean time, take a bath with black tea teabags in it. 10-12 tea bags of plain black tea will stop the itching for a longer period of time than calamine lotion. Make sure if you do itch, that you wash your hands. The poison will get under your finger nails and then spread when you touch somewhere new.
163315
take some analgesics, wear a hot patch, and drink hot liquids like a chamomile tea\nit will help
561767
You may want to try either Calamine Lotion or Cortisone cream. Calamine is really cheap, its kind of an ugly pink, but has a drying effect as well as helping with the itch. That seems to be a typical reaction to the furry caterpillars.
777639
Poison Ivy can be very dangerous, I have it in my backyard. Put coritzone cream on your arm and flush your eye thoroughly. Maybe put a very subtle, light, moisturizer to keep your eye from swelling or becoming irritated and red.
29166
Aveeno Itch Cream is good..it also has calamine in it too.  I know what your going through...hang in there.
335392
Standard initial treatment of poison ivy is with over-the-counter products, such as hydrocortisone cream, to help control itching. Other products that may help relieve itching include:\n\n    * Calamine lotion\n    * Creams containing menthol, such as Sarna\n    * Oral antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl, others), if itching is severe\n    * Tub soaks with colloidal oatmeal (Aveeno)\n    * Cool compresses\n\nIf the rash is widespread or results in a large number of blisters, your doctor may prescribe corticosteroids. Antibiotics also may be prescribed if secondary infection occurs.\n\nPoison ivy is a form of contact dermatitis. When your skin touches the leaves of a poison ivy plant, it absorbs a small amount of an oily substance (urushiol) made by the plant. If you're allergic to this oil, your skin reacts with redness, itching, swelling and blisters.\n\nThis reaction can last up to three weeks even with treatment. In severe cases, new areas of rash may break out several days or even longer after initial exposure. This may give the appearance that the rash is spreading from its initial site. However, skin must come in direct contact with the oil from the plant in order to be affected. Scratching affected areas does not spread the rash.\n\nPrevention is the best medicine with poison ivy. Know what the plant looks like and where it's found in your area. You can also get poison ivy indirectly from contact with firewood or the fur of a pet that has the oil on it.\n\nAs soon as you have known contact with poison ivy, it may help to remove any exposed clothing as soon as possible. Then shower with soap and water to remove any excess oil on your skin from the plant. Wash your clothes before wearing them again. Reactions similar to those from poison ivy may also occur on contact with poison oak and poison sumac.
1060513
it is one of the best things you can use, honestly. a dab of it on the bites about every day i would think would help decrease the itching until it finally goes away
696428
If he is not allergic he can take Benadryl to help with the reaction.   Alveeno anti-itch cream seems to work better than calamine lotion.  Alveeno also has a spray gel that works great.  And their bath tratment says right on the box it is supposed to help with poison sumac.\n\nThe Benadryl and Alveeno together should get him through until you can reach the doctor.   I am very sensitive to poison ivy and reach for the benadryl right away.  Might make him sleepy though.\n\nGood luck!
1038990
Antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) can help relieve itching caused by hives, but won’t affect itching from other causes. Most antihistamines also make people sleepy, which can help patients sleep who would otherwise be awake from the itch. Specific treatment of itching depends on the underlying condition that causes it. In general, itchy skin should be treated very gently. While scratching may temporarily ease the itch, in the long run scratching just makes it worse. In addition, scratching can lead to an endless cycle of itch—scratch—more itching. To avoid the urge to scratch, a person can apply a cooling or soothing lotion or cold compress when the urge to scratch occurs. Soaps are often irritating to the skin, and can make an itch worse; they should be avoided, or used only when necessary.\nCreams or ointments containing cortisone may help control the itch from insect bites, contact dermatitis or eczema. Cortisone cream should not be applied to the face unless a doctor prescribes it. Probably the most common cause of itching is dry skin. There are a number of simple things a person can do to ease the annoying itch:\n• don’t wear tight clothes\n• avoid synthetic fabrics\n• don’t take long baths\n• wash the area in lukewarm water with a little baking soda\n• for generalized itching, take a lukewarm shower\n• try a lukewarm oatmeal (or Aveeno) bath for generalized itching\n• apply bath oil or lotion (without added colors or scents) right after bathing People who itch as a result of mental problems or stress should seek help from a mental health expert.