How To Stop Poison Ivy From Itching
How long does the poison ivy rash last? According to the American Association of Dermatology website, the itchiness usually lasts from 1 to 3 weeks. That can seem like an exceedingly long time when you are in a lot of discomfort!
If you make contact with poison ivy, rinse the affected area of skin immediately. If you wash away the oil from poison ivy, you may be able to avoid developing a rash. Wash your clothes in hot water, also, to get rid of any oil from your clothing to prevent further contact with the irritant.
When you get a rash nevertheless, it’ll take a minimum of a week for it to heal. There are some things you can do to stop the itching but there’s not very much you can do to eliminate the rash any quicker than that.
Relieving the Itchiness
When sufferers ask how long does poison ivy last, what they normally want to know is how long are they going to be subject to the intense itching. While you can’t make the rash resolve any faster, there are numerous things you can try to relieve the itching. Here are some ideas:
Add one cup of baking soda to a warm bath and soak for at least 10 minutes. Don’t take a hot steaming bath or shower as that can increase the epidermal irritation and itching.
Add one cup colloidal oatmeal to a lukewarm bath and soak for a minimum of 10 minutes. Colloidal oatmeal is the same kind of oatmeal you may eat for breakfast, only it’s ground finer. You can purchase colloidal oatmeal to be used in the bath at most drug stores or you can make your own by simply grinding some oatmeal in your food processor or blender.
Use cool compresses by soaking a towel in cold water, then wringing it out and putting it on the itchy area. This provides only short term relief but it’s a quick and simple technique to get some relief.
Antihistamine pills, like Benadryl, can help and are available over the counter. These frequently cause drowsiness, so use them cautiously, particularly if you are going to be driving. The North American Association of Dermatology suggests against applying antihistamine cream to a poison ivy rash, nevertheless, because that may make the rash worsen.
Apply an anti-itch cream or lotion, like Calamine lotion, to the concerned area. Your local pharmacist will help you select a suitable over the counter solution.
For more details on treating poison ivy, follow the links to the Healthful Skin Guide website. There you’ll find pictures of poison ivy, as well as articles comparing home treatments and other ways to get respite from the irritation from urushiol oil.
