Poison Ivy Cure
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Poison Ivy Treatment and Cure
ResourcesIdentifying What Poison Ivy Looks Like
What Causes Poison Ivy Blisters?
How to Get Fast Relief From Poison Ivy
Dealing With Poison Ivy Rashes
Is Poison Ivy Contagious?
Home Remedies for Poison Ivy
The Best Poison Ivy Protection
Methods for Poison Ivy Removal
Poison Ivy FAQ
If you have been affected by poison ivy, you should be well aware of the itchy rashes that develop. It is important to know that there is no poison ivy cure, in the sense that once you have come into contact with the plant, you can not simply ingest medicine or apply a cream in order to completely rid yourself of the unpleasant effects. However, poison ivy treatment for symptoms, which includes swelling, rashes and blisters, can be found easily in a variety of methods, from over-the-counter creams and lotions to homemade remedies with everyday household items.
The nagging itch and red rash are caused by the urushiol oil in the poison ivy. Urushiol is pale yellow in color when it is in the sap of the plant, but once it is exposed to oxygen it changes to a brownish blackish color. Some people are more sensitive to it than others are, and this sensitivity to the urushiol can develop at any time. Remember to wash all your clothing and bedding to ensure that you wash off any remaining urushiol which may still be stuck to these items, because if you come into contact with this oil again you will restart the allergic reaction.
Diagnosing a Poison Ivy Rash
Most home treatments are relatively harmless should you diagnose yourself correctly. You should, however, make sure that your rash is indeed from poison ivy before you start any self-medicating. The affects can be characterised by a red itchy rash with small red bumps which will usually appear in a straight line or streaks from where you brushed up against the plant. Swelling may occur and later, larger blisters will form.
Understanding where poison ivy grows is an important step to diagnosing your symptoms. The two maps below are a quick reference to the distribution patterns of the two most common forms of poison ivy found in the United States. Both the images below are courtesy of the United States Department of Agriculture. Follow the links for more information about State specific distribution. The treatment options for both Eastern and Western poison ivy are the same.
Eastern Poison Ivy
Western Poison Ivy
Different Approaches to Healing
A treatment that works for one person may not work for the other, so the answer to a poison ivy cure is to determine what works for you and brings you soothing relief. Most remedies for poison ivy are aimed at providing relief from the symptoms brought on by the urushiol, but even the very best poison ivy treatments for blisters are not able to eliminate the symptoms altogether in the space of a week. Urushiol truly is a potent toxin; it takes just a small amount to cause a rash and itch, and