Home Remedies for Poison Ivy

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PHOTO: CORBIS/PHIL SCHEMEISTER
This is the common “three-leaf” version of a poison ivy plant.

Finally you yank out the last few stubborn weeds — a bunch of vines with stringy roots — and stand to admire the new perennial bed youve just cleared along the edge of woods bordering your driveway. Still, it feels good to have that work done; with the area grubbed out you can start planning tomorrow. Now for a nice cold drink and maybe a little nap.

You walk into the garage, toss your work gloves onto a bench and dust your shin and pants off a bit before going upstairs. On your way to the refrigerator you stop off in the bathroom — nature calls. A few minutes later, frosty mug in hand, you settle back in an easy chair. Ahhhh. A half-hour later, you’re asleep.

Poor, miserable devil.

You don’t know it yet, but you’ve just joined at least 2 million other Americans who, this summer, will become all too well acquainted with the power of poison ivy or one of its near relatives — poison oak and poison sumac. Sometime within the next six to 96 hours, you’re likely to find yourself agonized by an itching, watering rash on your back, neck, face, arms, legs and — um, elsewhere. You’ll be seeking whatever home remedies for poison ivy you can get your hands on. If you’re lucky, the rash will heal after a week or two — or maybe three.

Recognizing Poison Ivy

  • Published on Jun 1, 2001
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