Ask a Health Professitonal Each week health professionals give their educated opinions on relatable health questions. We believe that knowledge is power! Paul Farley PharmD. Pharmacist & Owner (715) 582-0898 960 Frontage Road | Peshtigo, wi | Question: What is the best way to deal with poison ivy? A: ummer is nearly upon isn't always possible. It is important to us (or at least we hope!), know that if you experience significant e and for most of us, that swelling, difficulty breathing or means spending more swallowing, or have a rash on your face time outside. While the or genitals, you should immediately seek fresh air and sunshine medical attention. Less severe cas are wonderful, sometimes the great can be treated at home. The first step outdoors exposes us to things that aren't after exposure is to wash off as much of so great. One of those hazards is poison the urushiol as possible. Cool water and ivy. Poison Ivy is a small plant that soap is recommended because warm grows either as shrubs or as vines along water will open your pores, causing the ground or along trees. It typically has the irritating substance to absorb more clusters of 3 leaves together, and these quickly into the skin. Oil based soaps are often pointed. The leaves are most tend to be most effective. There are also often green but can also be yellow, red, some washes specifically designed to or orange. Some poison ivy plants have help wash away the poison ivy resins such as Zanfel or Tecnu. Some peopl white or green berries as well This plant is known to produce extremely also use rubbing alcohol or dish soap. itchy and often painful rashes if exposed There are multiple products that help to to the skin. Hives and blisters also develop. The rash is caused by a substance in the plant called urushi According to the American Academy of Dermatology, can reduce or soothe a rash once it develops. Cool baths are helpful, especially if using a colloidal oatmeal bath treatment like those made by Aveeno. The itch can be alleviated to some degree with 85% of Americans are ergic to urushiol and 10% are severely the use of over the counter p like hydrocortisone cream lotion. Taking an oral antihista rash can develop with direct allergic. A r contact to a poison ivy plant or contact mine with another object that has been in contact with the plant. In some cases particularly diphenhydramine, can also it can even be spread through the air if poison ivy plants are being burned. The however, can actually make the itching diphenhydr In some cases help with the itch and ma a bit easier. Topical antihistamines rash is not contagious because the oils from the plant absorb into the skin very orse in w some cases. In severe case quickly Many people describe the rash your doctor can prescribe oral steroids as spreading, but really it is just a slow developing rash that can take up to a week to fully form. The rash generally lasts for two or three wee or stronger topical steroids than are available without a prescription. If you need assistance in treating poison ivy exposure, feel free to stop by Hometown Pharmacy in Peshtigo. We would be happy to help you out! The most obvious treatment of poison ivy is to avoid it in the first place, but that