Poison Ivy eGuide

DermaTechRx Research Center has undergone extensive poison ivy research and product development to treat poison ivy and to find a new fast acting treatment. It's primary focus was to immediately eliminate the itch, burning and pain associated with poison ivy on the very first treatment. Below is a recap of all the information found through our research, on the internet and in house findings.

How do you know if it’s Poison Ivy?

There are a number of different rhymes to help you identify poison ivy. Here are a few. Remember that poison ivy is everywhere and looks like other stuff so when it doubt, stay away.

• Leaves of three, let it be, leaves of four, eat some more
• Hairy vine, no friend of mine.
• Berries white, run in fright.
• Berries white, danger in sight.

What to Do if You’ve Been Exposed

If you’ve been exposed to poison ivy, oak or sumac, quick action is essential. Immediately flush the area with COLD water. Don’t use warm or hot water as this will allow pores to open and cause the urushiol to seep right in. Since urushiol is an oil, use as harsh a soap as you can, dish soap works good to wash the area. Alcohol may be effective for removing the oil as well, however opinions vary. Getting the oil off quickly will save you from the majority of the rash. Whatever you use, it is important to get the urushiol off as soon as possible, after much more than an hour, it’s too late.

Since the rash from poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac are allergic reactions; the rashes can vary widely from one person to another. Some people have no reaction at all while others react so severely they require immediate medical attention. The rash will generally show up 24 to 48 hours after exposure, however some people who have severe reactions, will break out in a serious blistered rash and swell up within a couple of hours. This can be a life threatening reaction called anaphylaxis. This will require a trip to the emergency room.

If you do break out in a rash there are a number of things you can try, some may work better than others and it will take a little trial and error to find some relief.

There are a couple of lines of traditional products designed to specifically treat the itch, while drying up the weeping rash of poison ivy; while these provide marginal relief, DermaTechRx recommends the use of the All Stop™ brand of products to treat poison ivy. To learn more about the All Stop™ brand of products, visit www.allstop.com.

All Stop™ Healing Gel is a unique blend of quaternary ammonium compounds. It is a topical skin treatment specifically designed to penetrate deep in the skin and chemically bond with Urushiol. This neutralizes the urushiol and stops the allergic reaction in its tracks. You'll begin to feel results within minutes! All Stop™ Healing Gel is easy to use and it's safe.

Hydrocortisone creams are often recommended for the itch, but many people find that they aren’t very effective. There is also a poison ivy kit on the market which includes a wash and then an itch relieving spray. Many of these items are similar to one another, so it will take some experimentation to see what works best for you.

Antihistamine pills and creams may also be helpful. The cream is applied directly to the rash and the pill can fight the reaction from the inside. Be careful as they may cause marked drowsiness. The main ingredient in most over the counter antihistamines and over the counter sleeping pills are the same. It’s called Diphenhydramine. Use caution when driving.

Another popular plant for relieving itching is aloe vera however works marginally for the poison ivy itch;. This is especially popular in the desert southwest, where the stuff grows with little effort. You can also mash up some of the flesh of the plant to get more of the gel out, but again, be careful of the barbs.

Bathing in cool salt water, such as the ocean can help speed the healing process. Salt will dry out the weeping and the cool water will feel very soothing. If you can’t go for a swim in the ocean, duplicate it in the bath tub. Add lots of sea salt (Dead Sea salt is even better if you have it) kelp and baking soda to a cool bath and enjoy.

Never scratch the rash, no matter how much it itches! It can lead to serious scarring and you will end up in a vicious itch/scratch cycle. Once you start scratching, you’ll cause more irritation to the skin, and the more you irritate the skin the more it will itch.

How to Avoid Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, and Poison Sumac

The best way to avoid poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac is to avoid them altogether. Learn what poison ivy looks like and where it thrives. If you think you may have been exposed, shower and wash hair immediately. Wear long pants, long sleeves, socks and high boots to protect skin from contact. There are also protective barrier lotions and sprays available at many outdoor stores. If you are out camping or backpacking, wash clothes and shoes (including laces) in soap and water as soon as possible If you can handle the items with rubber gloves (the tall kitchen kind are even better) that is great. It will keep your hands from coming in contact with contaminated surfaces, as urushiol can remain on items for years without drying out or losing potency. Pets are also susceptible to poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac. So if you think your pet has gotten into a patch of poison ivy or its cousins bathe them in cold water and the harshest soap you can as soon as possible. No one wants Fido to have blisters. If your pet does get into poison ivy and they develop a rash, a visit to the vet is in order. They can do a lot of damage trying to scratch the itch.

WARNING: If you come in contact with poison ivy, and within 6 hours develop a severe rash that swells and blisters, or you have difficulty seeing, breathing or swallowing, head to the Emergency Room immediately! This can be a very serious, and possibly life threatening reaction called Anaphylaxis.

As a note, this guide is meant to be informative only. It is not meant to take the place of qualified medical attention. It is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.

All All Stop™ products are safe and non-toxic when used as directed. DermatechRx® is not a substitute for medical advice. The operators of this website and those who provide information for this site do not directly or indirectly practice medicine or dispense medical advice or services through this website. You should not rely on this information to determine a diagnosis or course of treatment, nor should it be considered a replacement for consultation with a physician or other certified healthcare provider. DermatechRx® makes no representations or warranties with respect to any information offered or provided on or through the DermatechRx® website regarding treatment, action, or application of product. DermatechRx®, nor any of its contributors, shall have any liability for the content, errors, or omissions in the information provided by this website. DermatechRx® is not responsible or liable for any advice, course of treatment, diagnosis, or any other information, services, or products that you obtain through this site.