Coming into contact with poison ivy can be harmful at any time of year, but clearing dead vegetation while Autumn gardening is often when people come into contact with this noxious weed.
The first step is to wash contacted areas with soap and cold water. Hot water tends to open the pores, increasing the chances of the resin being deeply absorbed into your skin.
A FEW WAYS TO FIND RELIEF:
- Tecnu: When used within a few hours of exposure, can remove rash-causing urushiol oil and may even prevent a rash.
- Calamine lotion is an anti-itch medicine that works by causing a cooling sensation as it evaporates. It also contains zinc oxide, an antiseptic that helps prevent infection caused by scratching.
- Cold coffee helps soothe the itch because coffee beans contain anti-inflammatory, chlorogenic acid.
- Banana peel: Rubbing it on an affected area helps soothe the itch.
- Oatmeal: Apply a paste of cooked oatmeal. Or try an Aveeno bath as the powder is made from 100% pure colloidal oatmeal.
Comments are closed.
