It is important that we treat the rash and blisters that are caused by the poison ivy plant immediately. Health experts say that it is best to treat poison ivy no more then ten minutes after you have been exposed to. This includes washing the affected area in the hopes that you will decrease the amount of urushiol oil your skin has absorbed and in turn decreasing the severity of the rash.
Some of us though – especially our children – are not paying attention to what is around us and might not even realize what we have done until the rash has already broken out on our skin. When this happens it is time to reach for the closest poison ivy medicine that we can get to.
Poison Ivy Creams
One of the best types of medicines that you should always have in your medicine cabinet are poison ivy creams. There are many different types of brands that you are able to choose from – which act like a skin proctectant.
The point of these creams is to help soothe against the pain, itching, and burning of the rash. They also provides a layer of protection over the affected area to allow the dead skin cells to fall off and the new ones to grow back in a quick time period. One of the most affordable and most common of these creams is calamine lotion.
Poison Ivy Tablets
Most of us are aware of the many creams and lotions that are used to help fight against the symptoms of poison ivy – but we do not often hear about poison ivy tablets. Most of these types of pills are designed to dissolve in the mouth and to work much faster than other type of medicine you can take. They are made using a traditional homeopathic method that helps to treat the problem without any harsh stimulants.
One of the best things about this type of medicine is that it works deep underneath the skin and into the bodies bloodstream to help remove the urushiol oil and the toxins that your body has absorbed from the body. When using this you might still want to consider a topical cream that will help to fight the itch. These can cost anywhere between $5 to $10.
Prescription Poison Ivy Medication
People with a severe outbreak will have dark, red skin and large and extremely painful blisters. Their body is absorbing the urushiol oil at such an alarming rate that it is affecting a much larger area and their body is reacting to it so harshly that they are in twice as much pain. People who have severe outbreaks have what is known as Rhu Dermatitis and must make an appointment with their doctor immediately.
For them using the over the counter poison ivy medicines might not be enough or provide them with any type of relief. Doctors will usually prescribe oral steroids that will be able to penetrate the skin faster and help it to shed off the dead skin cells. When this happens the new skin will be able to grow back.