A Poison Ivy Remedy That Works, is Natural, and Costs Less Than $10!

It is only April and our oldest son has had poison ivy twice now.   Mind you, he is only five! The first time the poison ivy rash appeared on his body in late February, it was mild and thankfully did not really bother him.  It was localized to his leg.  The second time the poison ivy rash appeared on his body in late March, it was horrific leaving no area of his body untouched, thus termed systemic poison ivy.  Systemic poison ivy basically means  the urushiol oil that causes the poison ivy rash spreads to many parts of the body, even parts that did not directly come in contact with the poison ivy.  The way this spread occurs most often, at least in our experience, is from a hot shower soon after exposure to poison ivy.  Hot water opens pours, and if the uruishiol oil has not completely absorbed into your skin, it can spread to other areas especially with open pours.  We think this is what happened in our son’s case as we always bathe him after being outside because he loves to get filthy. 

Our son was miserable to say the least from this rash, could not sleep,  and many areas of his body began to swell including around his eye.  We were desperate.  You see my husband and I had both had systemic poison ivy early in our marriage after doing yard work and treated it for the most part conventionally with cortisone shots, oral steroid pills, and various creams.   Nothing worked!  Our poison ivy lasted 6 weeks before we were symptom free.   We spent the majority of that summer looking like monsters, walking around like zombies, and just plain miserable!

However, this time I was determined to do things differently with our son, praying that I would find something that would work.  I wanted to avoid steroids as they did not work for us, and if I could avoid them, it is best anyway with a young child.  However,  at the same time, I wanted to be really cautious especially with the swelling around his eye so I contacted a former pediatrician who has now retired.  Our son’s eye, even though swollen shut, was completely white when I pried it open, and there was nothing oozing from it, so there was no infection. 

At first I spent a fortune on creams that did not offer the relief they promised.  By day two, he and I both were completely sleep deprived, and I knew based on experience there was no end in sight to the sleepless nights, so I began researching.  I opened my Homeopathic Medicine for Children and Infants and read that Rhus Tox seem to fit the description exactly of his symptoms.  I gave it to him as often as allowed, and it was the only thing that gave relief from itching.  He would beg for this remedy!   It did not address the swelling, so I researched again.  A day later I read that Croton Tig addresses skin that feels tight and hidebound and is particularly helpful for rashes on the face.   When I googled where to buy this, I stumbled upon Hylands Poison Ivy/ Oak which contains Rhus Tox, Crton Tig, as well as some other homeopathic remedies.  I read many reviews and was sold.  I darted out the door to Whole Foods and spent right UNDER $10.  This was so cheap compared to all the creams, etc. that did not work!  I bought this on day three of the poison ivy rash, and by day four he was a different child.  His swelling was almost completely down and his rash began the process of  drying up.  I gave it to him as described, every two hours for a while, and now that we are on the tail end every four hours until completely gone.  I will keep this on hand and never be without it! 


Update April 18, 2016:  I have been using this religiously every time a child comes down with the poison ivy rash and each time the rash has looked different; however, with at least 8 different cases since this posting between my oldest two, I can attest that this works.  Sometimes the rash has healed quickly and others not as quickly, but every time this offers relief and does the job.  We have avoided steroids completely and my children have been helped in their misery.  I love this stuff!    My oldest have also learned to wear long pants when in the woods when poison ivy is blooming and to put their clothes immediately in the wash.  They also avoid showers for a few hours after the woods in case their skin came in contact with poison ivy so as not to spread the  uruishiol oil while washing themselves. 

*If you order on Amazon, I believe you can get Hylands Poison Ivy for around $6.99!

** The best way to take homeopathic medicine is to place it under the tongue letting it disolve and do not eat for 15 minutes surrounding taking the dosage.