How to Treat Poison Ivy
Poison ivy plants contain an oil (urushiol) that causes an itchy, blistering rash when it comes into contact with your skin. Urushiol can get on your skin, but can also get on your clothes, gardening tools, boots or shoes, even an animal’s fur. Any time your skin comes in contact with the oil, for example by petting your dog, you will develop the rash. So the best response in learning how to treat poison ivy is to avoid catching it in the first place. If you are trying torid your yard of the plant, here a few tips to avoid exposure:
- Make sure you are fully covered up – long pants, long sleeves, socks and gloves.
- When you change your clothing, be careful of your face or exposed skin.
- Do not use a weed eater – as the oil will become airborne.
- Do not burn poison ivy, breathing in the smoke can pull the oil into your lungs
The only sure way to avoid poison ivy treatment is to stay away from the poison ivy plant. Poison ivy grows as a vine or bush, depending on the climate, but always has three leaves per stalk.
Unfortunately urushiol will stick to more than just skin – clothing, shoes, tools and even animal fur. The compounds in the resin are very stable, so touching something with urushiol on it will transplant the oil back to your skin. Instant rash. As part of poison ivy treatment, it’s important to wash anything that came in contact with the poison ivy, including your clothing, towels, garden tools shoes and even your dog’s fur.
For the most part, poison ivy treatment can be addressed at home, with over-the-counter medications such as calamine lotion or antihistamines. Applying rubbing alcohol will help break up the oil residue and cool the surface of the skin. The hardest part is to avoid scratching and avoid breaking open the blisters, which could lead to infection. Not scratching is easier said than done – so if you are having trouble concentrating or sleeping as a result of the rash, come over to the FastMed Urgent Care nearest you and let us help.
How to Treat Poison Ivy At Home
If you’ve been exposed to poison ivy, wash the affected area (or item) in lukewarm, soapy water. Do the best you can not to scratch at the rash. There are a number of over-the-counter remedies to choose from, includingcortisone cream or calamine lotion – use whatever product is safe and most effective for you. Normally poison ivy will run its course in a week or two.
Time for Medical Attention
Though poison ivy is not usually life threatening, some people have much stronger allergic reactions than others. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call 9-1-1 and get to the Emergency Room right away:
- Trouble breathing or swallowing
- The rash covers the majority of your body
- Swelling occurs, especially if your eye is swollen shut
- The rash develops on your face or genitals
- Poison ivy plants are very dangerous if burned. Inhaling the smoke can cause an allergic reaction in your lungs. If you think you have inhaled smoke from burning poison ivy plants, get to a medical professional right away.
- If the blisters in the rash have become infected or the itching has become unbearable, get some immediate care at FastMed.
Even without a health emergency, you may want some medical help to manage the symptoms. If you can’t handle the itching or it’s keeping you from sleeping or staying focused during work, come over to FastMed Urgent Care and let us see if we can help. You can find the Fast Med location nearest you by entering your zip code here.
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About FastMed
FastMed is a North Carolina-based integrated healthcare company based in Durham, NC. It operates more than 50 locations in 34 counties providing urgent care and occupational health as well as primary care at select locations. FastMed accepts most insurance plans and is one of a few private urgent care centers also accredited by The Joint Commission. Learn more at fastmed.com.