Poison Ivy Medications
Poison ivy, as the name implies, is detrimental. It is a vine plant that when directly in contact with the skin causes itchy skin rash and even skin inflammation. The poison ivy produces an oily chemical from its leaves called urushiol which causes the skin irritations like itching, burning, blistering, and redness. The medical term for this inflammation reaction is contact dermatitis. It is a good thing, however, that there are poison ivy medications to treat the condition. The common medications include antihistamine pills, cortisone drugs and calamine lotion.
There are at least nine to name poison ivy medications. First line is antihistamine drugs. The pill form is more recommended than the topical ones because the latter cause allergy on its own. Antihistamines are considered poison ivy medications because they are used to relieve the symptoms of the skin irritation especially dry blisters and itching. There are antihistamines that can be availed over the counter like Benadryl, and there are those that need prescription by a physician like Vistaril.
For moderate to severe rashes, corticosteroids are prescribed. There are topical and pill form corticosteroids. These poison ivy medications also relieve itchiness and treats inflammation. Further, it aids in clearing up or improving rashes faster. Pills or shots are more effective than gels, ointments or creams. An example of a topical corticosteroid is hydrocortisone valerate (Westcort), and for oral corticosteroid, Prednisolone. Similar to the class of drug, topical glucocorticoids like Deposone or Deprolene may also be prescribed as potent anti inflammatory medication.
Other poison ivy medications are barrier lotions and creams that decrease the severity of inflammation reaction and relieve itchiness and discomfort. These products prevent urushiol to directly get on contact with the skin. Preventive lotions like drug bentoquatam 5% (IvyBlock) are applied on the skin at least 15 minutes prior exposure to poison ivy and after every four hours thereafter. Such preventive agents are useful and handy for fire fighters, park rangers, hikers, and people who are possible to encounter poison ivy. However, these should not be used in children below age six. Other topical agents have the capacity to dissolve the irritating oily chemical. Examples of topical agents are Caladryl Clear, Caladryl, Calahist Clear, Calamine lotion, and Desitin or zinc oxide.
On the other hand, there are also not recommended poison ivy medications. They have the capability to relieve the symptoms of poison ivy related skin irritations but they present other problems especially allergy. Just like what was mentioned earlier, topical antihistamine like Dermamycin and Benadryl cream is not a good idea. Other drugs to consider are topical anesthetics that contain benzocaine such as Anacaine, Bicozene, Americaine, and Lanacane, and neomycin sulfate containing antibiotics like Neo-Rx, Neospirin, Poly-Pred, and Mycifradin.
If poison ivy skin irritation is not treated early, it can lead to infection due to scratching and the consulting the health professional is important for prescribed antibiotics, either topical or pills or shots. It is not a joke dealing with skin irritation caused by poison ivy plants. It really is bothersome – annoying appearance, very itchy and painful rashes!