Over The Counter Medicines Used For Poison Ivy
Poison ivy is a woody vine that belongs to the family Anacardiaceae which is of the sumac family. It is the most common allergy to people in the United States, with more than half of the population being affected once in contact.
Many people think that rubbing or scratching the irritation from poison ivy will cause it to spread, but this is incorrect. The only way to spread the rash is to spread the urushiol oil, so it is best to wash the area well once a rash is seen and then there is no oil residue remaining. If a blister forms due to the rash, you can break the blisters but this can cause infection to set up and scarring as well. But the blisters bursting will not cause the rash to spread.
The cures that seem to work the best are those that eradicate urushiol, the oil that covers the leaves of the ivy that causes the allergic reaction and rash. Some people think they are immune to the ivy rash and this is untrue also. For many first time sufferers, it can take up to 10 days for the rash to appear and the more times exposure takes place the more likely you will have a rash.
The symptoms of this condition is a red raised rash that occurs in the place where the poison ivy plant made contact. After the rash is seen, itching will follow until the redness is completely gone. There are quite a few topical and prescriptions that are made just to deal with this type of condition.
One product is Rhuli gel, and Band Aid makes it to help dry out blisters that can be caused by the rash. This topical treatment gets rid of the itch, and can be found at quite a few drug stores or department stores in health and beauty or first aid aisles.
Ivy Dry is another itch relief medication that is used for this rash. It is available in liquid and cream forms, and helps to offset the irritating itch that is due to the oil the plant puts off. If you must visit a doctor, prednisone is commonly prescribed. It is a corticosteroid that is taken orally to help suppress the immune response to the reddened rash, causing it to not itch.
Some doctors will ask that you take a warm Epsom salt bath to quell the itch. Following with calamine lotion on the area will help to finish the itch. Within a couple of days the problem will cease and the itch will be completely gone.
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