The following advise has been gained through the Internet and first hand experience. Although it has worked for the author, please consult your health care provider before using any of it’s techniques or procedures on yourself or others.

The editors of DMWUpdate.com have found that an over-the-counter product called “Tecnu Poison Oak-N-Ivy” (found at Walgreens) provided great relief from the itching resulting from contact with poison ivy and poison oak.

We have also received permission from IntliHealth.com to provide the following information from their website on poison ivy and poison oak (additional information is provided in a link at the end of the following):

Treatment

The poison ivy rash develops one to two days after exposure. Once the rash develops, treatment focuses on relieving the symptoms, calming the inflamed skin and protecting it from infection, and helping blisters to heal.

Head To The Kitchen For Help
Calamine lotion can be very soothing for the itchy rash of poison ivy. Calamine lotion that is not diluted with water can form a thin crust over the rash, which can make it less sensitive. For mild cases this may be all you need. In treating children, avoid combination products that contain antihistamines because too much antihistamine can be absorbed through the skin. In both children and adults, a compress with ice-cold whole milk helps dry the rash and soothe the itch, but don't use skim milk: It's the fat in milk that helps.

Milk of magnesia also may help because it's an alkaline solution, like calamine. Because it's thinner than calamine, it can be easier to apply.

Apply Ice
The fastest and cheapest treatment to temporarily soothe pain and itching is plain ice. If you have weeping or blisters, applying ice is not advised. For dry skin without blisters, it is safe to place a cube directly on the irritated skin for about one minute. The coolness of the ice helps soothe itching, if only temporarily.

From the Pharmacy
 Without a prescription, you can also buy antihistamines to control itching, such as chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton) and diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Aveeno Oatmeal in lotion, salve or bath forms is also helpful for relieving the itch.

Get professional help
 For severe cases, when the rash is all over the body, on the face, or blistering, you may need to visit your doctor for antihistamines, topical or oral steroids, all of which can effectively treat the rash and itching. Steroids are most helpful when they are initiated quickly after the rash appears. Topical steroids are not recommended for weeping or blistered rashes.

Time Heals All
 The rash from poison ivy, oak, or sumac clears without treatment after approximately two weeks. It is possible to have some residual itching, which can stay active longer if you scratch. If you have irritating itching once your blisters have healed, a prescription steroid cream from your doctor should bring relief.

For more help (provided by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation), click HERE

To view some poison ivy images, click HERE

To view some poison oak images, click HERE

To view some poison sumac images, click HERE

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