Poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac are wild plants that thrive in many wooded parts of this country. They all produce a compound called urushiol. People who get this chemical on their skin frequently develop a contact dermatitis that is maddening, with a rash and itching that just won’t quit. Is there a way to deal with a poison ivy rash?
Finding a Solution for a Poison Ivy Rash:
Q. I read in your column about using banana peel on a poison ivy rash. There’s a product out there that beats anything I have ever tried for my severe bouts of poison ivy.
Zanfel is a mixture of soaps that has an affinity for the urushiol oil that causes the rash. One day I got a few spots on my cheek from cutting weeds and used Zanfel as directed. The itching stopped for six hours after use, and the rash was gone in about six days; normally the poison ivy rash remains for 14 to 16 days.
Zanfel to Wash Away Urushiol:
A. The maker of Zanfel maintains that it is able to break the bond that urushiol makes with skin so that the irritating oil can then be washed off. If you live where poison ivy, oak or sumac is abundant, it certainly makes sense to keep some on hand.
The sooner you remove uroshiol after contact with poison ivy or poison oak, the better the result. Scrubbing with soap and water can be effective. Alcohol may also be used to wipe off urushiol before it causes a reaction. Best of all, of course, is to avoid it in the first place. Remember the simple guidance: “Leaves of three, let it be.”
8/6/18 redirected to: https://www.peoplespharmacy.com/articles/solutions-to-stop-suffering-from-poison-ivy/
