Poison Ivy Cures, Help and Information

I love hiking and camping, and I am usually quite careful about avoiding the three-leaved poison ivy plant. However, recently I went out with my boyfriend on a hike to scout an area for an Earth Day cleanup. It appears that somehow he got poison ivy on his hands. When he snuggled with me that night, I ended up getting poison ivy ALL over my stomach and back, in a 'band' around my middle. So I was inspired to put up information and photos, to help others get over this nasty situation!

Basics of Poison Ivy and Urushiol Oil
Poison Ivy, plus poison oak and poison sumac, are just regular plants. Poison ivy is in fact a member of the cashew family!

How Poison Ivy Rashes Form
Unfortunately, the urushiol really ISN'T dangerous but what happens in your body causes an all-out body warfare attack which is nasty.

Removing the Poison Ivy Urushiol Oil
Your #1 priority if you ever even THINK you were touched by poison ivy is to remove all traces of urushiol oil from your skin, and get it off of anything clothing, shoes, pets, tents, etc.

Myths about Poison Ivy Rashes
There are old wives tales out there saying that everything from bleach to oatmeal, nail polish to Vitamin C, can be a cure for poison ivy. Some do make it better - and some make the situation FAR worse.

Cures for Poison Ivy Rashes
There are in fact many things you can do to make the situation better. Here are a collection of cures to help you get through your rash.

Photos of Poison Ivy Rashes
Get an idea of what the rashes look like, and how long it takes for them to heal.

Of course, if you have a severe reaction, always call a hospital first! Some people are very sensitive to poison ivy and can have life threatening results. If you sense that things are beyond the 'minor rash' stage, it's always best to call a doctor. Your doctor will know for sure how to handle the rash in your specific situation.

Note that in general pets can't get infected, they are immune to the oil. However, their fur or hair can easily contain oil on it, to keep re-contaminating you. Wash them!