Itchy Scratchy Poison Ivy... Ow... Does THIS stuff work ?

[cbelt3]

http://www.cvs.com/shop/product-detail/Z...uId=184471

Advertised in my local CVS as a 'miracle cure' for poison ivy. I can't seem to get rid of this rash on my wrist from my watchband. It's driving me bats (but I'm being good and not scratching it, but the temptation to go all dawg on it and scratch and bite until it bleeds is often almost overwhelming ).

Has anyone used this stuff to a good effect ?

[Speedy]

Hydrocortisone.

[Paul F.]

Speedy wrote:
Hydrocortisone.

:agree:

[cbelt3]

Paul F. wrote:
[quote=Speedy]
Hydrocortisone.

:agree:
Two weeks of that and it's NOT gone all the way. This particular rash is quite unique... it came from a nylon watchband that had been exposed and then sweated on, but not washed - I washed everything else and didn't break out.. then. And when I wore the watch again two days later, the nice urushiol oils permeated the skin and pores under the watch, producing a nice linear rash.

I'm not one of those who is "OMG take me to the hospital" allergic to the stuff, but it does take a while for my immune system to deal with it. This has been going on longer than normal.

[haikuman]

How about Epson Salt soaks and Benadryl Cream or Ointment
Also taking some caps orally can be of some help.

http://www.benadryl.com/products?category=0&relief=8

[M>B>]

Replace the watchband!

[cbelt3]

M>B> wrote:
Replace the watchband!

Actually I washed it very agressively in dish soap (removes the oils) and scalding hot water (breaks down the oils a bit as well), then alcohol. I haven't worn the watch for two weeks now. In fact I cannot wear a watch, which makes me particularly twitchy !

[Robert M]

cbelt,

I looked at the ingredients. You've got stuff in there that is components of shampoo/conditioner, a surficant that is commonly used in spermicides - think condoms with spermicide, a thickener and such.

From what I understand, treatment of poison ivy exposure requires two things:

A. Removal of the oils that contain the allergen.

B. Something to reduce the allergic reaction caused by the oils.

Removal of the oils that contain the allergen is critical else you risk spreading it around to other parts of the body. 'course, it's critical to remove it from clothing, linens and such for the same reason.

The wash in the link has all sorts of "stuff". Not sure how much of a difference any of it makes though.

Robert

[goodmanx]

i've had good luck with a home-brewed jewelweed elixir. in a few days it knocked out a screamingly painful p.i. affliction which, for a week or more, i had been gouging for relief as deeply as possible without removing skin. i saw two highly rated products on amazon, although each had feedback from only one or two users.

[Will Collier]

I am extremely allergic to poison ivy, and have tried just about everything at least once. Zanfel does work, in my experience, but only if you use it soon after being exposed. After the PI gets ground into your skin, you're better off going to the doc for a steroid shot.

Note: this advice does not apply if your name is Alex Rodriguez...