Poison Ivy

[Barkleymut]

For some reason I recall something about a poison ivy shot. However after the third time I got poison ivy this past summer I went to the doctor and he had never heard of it. Just want to find out if any of ya'll had used the shot and if it had worked.

[Retro67]

The only thing I have found to work for Poison ivy is Prednisone&lt;sup&gt;&copy&lt;/sup&gt;. It is a steroid. I was told there is a shot, however it isn't preventative. You get it after contact with poison ivy and the doctor said it didn't act as fast as the Prednisone&lt;sup&gt;&copy&lt;/sup&gt;.<p>John

[MRPLOW]

Poison Ivy. I've gotten it so many times that I'm practically imune to it, it deosn't even spread on me anymore just stays on my legs a little bit. I'd be intersted in a shot though.

[thelawnguy]

The shot is actually Benadril or some other sort of antihistamine, forget working the rest of the day after the shot it makes you sleepy and dopey.<p>Take an antihistamine pill like benadril or something and it will dry up the poison ivy real quick. A double dose of Claritin will do the same thing. <p>I used to get poison ivy real bad, now I take a claritin and a singulair a day for asthma and a great side effect is minimal discomfort from poison ivy.<p>There is a homeopathic substance called oral Ivy, you mix it with orange juice for 30 days in late winter and its supposed to prevent poison ivy outbreaks for the rest of the year.<p>The best way is to be aware of it and try to avoid it, if not wash THOROUGHLY with LOTS of water asap after exposure. This works best for me.<p>Understand that a poison ivy rash is an allergic reaction along the same lines as hay fever, pet hair, or whatever, and the same remedies will help with an outbreak.<p>Bill<br>

[Lee Homan]

I started using a lotion called Ivy Block last year with great results. You rub it on the areas you are most likely to come in contact with poison ivy before you go to work which for me was below the knees and it prevents you from catching it. You can get it at K-Mart or Wal-Mart for about $10.00 dollars a bottle. Lasts me about 6-8 weeks.<br>Also the Benadryl works real well to dry poison ivy up. Good luck.<br> Lee

[GroundKprs]

There was a shot for poison ivy. Whoever made it quit producing it about 5-8 yrs ago.<p>Jim

[Retro67]

I have had no luck with antihistamines. I think it is a personal thing. I have to get the Prednisone&lt;sup&gt;&reg&lt;/sup&gt;in order to get rid of it. If you find yourself spending all kinds of money and getting no results, try going to the doctor and ask if he will give you Prednisone&lt;sup&gt;&reg&lt;/sup&gt;. I think it must depend how allergic you are to Rhuli oil.<p>John

[cantoo]

I don't have a reaction to it but my wife gets it from just putting my clothes in the washer machine. I spray my properties with Killex to get rid of it, it will burn the leaves right off. I also wear rubber boots when I am anywhere near it. My wife has even got it from driving the mower after I cut some down, the oil is active for years.

[geogunn]

back many years ago I was a fence building business and got a contract to fence a new home built in the woods. the grass was just coming up and I didn't know it but the poison ivy was also. it got in my sweaty socks and covered my feet as bad a the doctor had ever seen. he gave me shots and a prescription for VALISONE ointment. the treatment dried it up in several days but for about 10 years after that I was hyperalergic to the stuff and I would react from just being close to it. hard to believe but it is true.<p>now if I do a job I explain that I don't mow or trim poison ivy. so far I everyone has understood.<p>GEO

[Lawns & More]

IVY BLOCK, does work! I get mine at Walmart for about $8.00. You just put it on you and let it dry for about 30 minutes.
If you do get poison ivy, wash it off with COLD water, not warm water and use a dish soap as well. Ivy is a oil base, cold water, usually will make it run off the skin. Also when you dry youself off with a towel, pat dry yourself, dont rub the towel on you drying yourself off. Man im itching just typing this !! He-he

[mdb landscaping]

lol, ive tried the ivy block and stuff, and i still have gotten it. one time i was helping my buddy clear a wooded lot in the winter, and i didnt know they were poison ivy vines wrapped around a tree. i got it all over that time. i hate the stuff

[CLM1103]

I took a series of poison ivy extract drops wihch make you immune to it. It is just like the snake venom shots. It is taken orally and you start with one drop a day and add each day until you are taking fifteen drops daily. You are the immune to the poison ivy oil.

[Lawns & More]

Not to contradict you, but I heard you couldn't build up immunity to the stuff; in fact it builds up in your system and could even kill you. Hey but, if there is an immunity pill to take and it works, I will be waiting in line to buy it! Poison Ivy always seems to find me, heck if I just look at the stuff, I think I have it on me.
I read somewhere, I can't quote my source, but I read somewhere that the government is looking for a way to use Poison Ivy, as a chemical warfare source. Now that's scary ! Ha - Ha

[CLM1103]

Lawns and More...Trust me , you can build an immunity to it. I had a sister that could just drive through the country during summer and she would have to be hospitalized for several weeks with quarter sized blisters all over including in her throat. They would turn her with sheets in the hospital. She could not open her eyes. I did not get it with that size blisters but would break out in a rash over large portions of my body. Today, we could both eat poison ivy or poison oak or poison sumac and not have a problem.

[Commander]

After you have worked with poison ivy, go home and take a COLD shower. This will keep the pores closed and at least lessen the effects of the stuff. Taking a hot shower (as good as it may feel) will open your pores and allow the substance into your body even easier.

[roscioli]

Be Careful with Prednisone- I has crazy side effects, not just feeling woosy, but permanant, irreversible side effects. It does work for the poison ivy, but will grow you a second nose or something if you take too much. Ask a pharmacist about the side effects before you use it too often.

[Doogiegh]

Is it possible to NOT be allergic to poison ivy?

I have allergies (hayfever) and I'm allergic to Eggs, go figure.. But I'm almost sure as a kid that somewhere, sometime, I would of ran into poison ivy by now, being that I'm 28, and I've never had a reaction that I can recall.

I even have what people have told me is poison ivy on the side of my driveway which is next to some woods, and I've run the lawn mower along that way, and of course had to touch or handle the mower deck afterwards, and never cross-picked anything up..

Anyone else not allergic to it?

And it's not like I'm gonna go roll in the leaves for a 1/2 hour as a test either.. Just curious.

Gary

[1MajorTom]

Quote: Is it possible to NOT be allergic to poison ivy?

Yes, it is very possible. My Dad was living proof that some don't get any reaction from it. He would actually take leaves and rub them on his hands and arms and he would not get it.

I also have never gotten poison ivy either. Although I would not go so far to say that I can't get it. I would never take the chance and rub the leaves on my skin. ;)