
Effective use also requires that you know you’ve been exposed. These formulas are extremely effective when used soon after contact, but they may not provide as much relief in more advanced cases.
POISON IVY SYMPTOMS SKIN
Washes and scrubs: Many highly rated poison ivy treatments are cleansers that wash urushiol from the skin removing the source of the irritation and preventing the rash from spreading. When in doubt, ask a medical professional.īestReviews Poison ivy treatment features Some poison ivy treatments may interfere with a drug prescribed by your doctor, so you might need to discontinue use of the remedy if you start a course of prescription medicine. But if you eventually go to the doctor, be sure to take whichever formula you choose with you. Which treatment path you take is a personal choice. Other individuals trust only natural ingredients in order to avoid irritating the skin further, but these are often slower to act. Some customers prefer pharmaceutical varieties, which often provide quicker relief but may include chemicals that are harsher on the skin. Like many over-the-counter remedies, poison ivy treatments are available in both pharmaceutical and natural formulas. It’s not a bad idea to stock up on preventive products while it’s on your mind, but these won’t help relieve your suffering once you’re exposed. Some poison ivy formulas help block urushiol from affecting the skin before exposure, a valuable feature for those who react particularly poorly to the oil. When looking at treatments, be sure the item you choose is intended for relief, not prevention. Different treatments work best depending on how advanced the symptoms are, and you want to pick the formula that targets your stage. When deciding which poison ivy treatment to try, assess your symptoms. Some varieties of poison ivy turn an ominous red in the fall, but you’re more likely to be exposed in the spring when the leaves are less noticeable. If your exposure develops into a rash, it can take weeks to stop the itching – unless you find a good treatment. If you wash it off quickly, you might escape with only minor skin irritation. Urushiol’s thick, sticky texture enables it to adhere to your skin, clothing, and other objects. What is it about poison ivy that causes so much agony? It’s urushiol, the oily resin found in the plant’s leaves, stems, and roots. It tends to grow at the edges of paths, trees, and fences rather than in open fields, so it’s easily accessible to hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts. Next time you’ll be on the lookout for “leaves of three,” but that little ditty won’t help you now that you’ve encountered poison ivy.įound in every state except Alaska and Hawaii, poison ivy features telltale clusters of three almond-shaped leaves, and it can appear as a shrub, groundcover, or climbing vine. You just thought the hazard would be in the form of spectacular cliffs, not harmless-looking foliage. You knew your seven-mile hike through the mountains last weekend might be risky. Buying guide for best poison ivy treatments
