"Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing. " -Helen Keller

Monday, June 22, 2009

Poison Ivy or could it be oak?..updated

Or, who the hell cares what it is, ITS ON MY 3 1/2 YR OLDS LEGS!!!! Any advice on how to keep him from scratching or convince him to stay inside as it heals? I'm thinking pants covering legs slathered in benadryl cream but I'm open to suggestions.

This really sucks because somehow I have to treat him and avoid getting it myself.


*Benadryl cream helped a bunch but we ran out. When I went to the store, I found something called Ivarest (second product on page) which has both calamine and topical benadryl in it. I coated his legs, put on socks and pants so it wouldn't rub off and it seems to be working.

13 comments:

battynurse said...

Benedryl cream or maybe calamine lotion?? Sounds awful. I hope you don't get it too. Oh and maybe you could get him to take some benadryl orally, that might help too.

Two Shorten the Road said...

My mom always went with the Caladryl lotion. Do they still make that? Its pink crustiness made me not want to scratch.

ICLW

Danifred said...

Here is a little lesson we learned: Don't use an oral anti-histamine AND something topical. Apparently the two work oppositely and actually cause the oak/ ivy to spread.
Thankfully, this was something my husband learned and not the kiddos!

Sunny said...

I've got no advice better than what has already been said, but GOOD LUCK!!

*I think my legs are itchy now*

Meari said...

I have NO idea how to treat it, but I empathize with you. Good luck, my friend.

Beautiful Mess said...

As soon as I get the info needed, I'll let you know the stuff my BFF uses on her kids. It works GREAT! I hope he's feeling better SOON!
*HUGS*

Alana said...

Yikes...sorry I don't have any words of wisdom on this one. Hope the itchies go away soon! :)

Emma said...

Oatmeal baths help with chicken pox itchies, I have no idea about all your scary US poison plants though ;)

Nina said...

If it gets worse, you may have to call the pediatrician and get him a steroid dose pack. If it starts to weep, definitely call. Poor guy! I hope he feels better!

Fat Chick said...

Oh the poor little guy! That is torture.

You know what? When I was in 5th grade, my best friend and I rubbed poison sumak all over our arms and legs in the hopes of getting out of school. My mom found out why we did it, and made me go to school anyway. It was AWFUL. Especially because my friend got a whole week at home, while I had to sit through classes trying not to itch myself raw. Ick.

Michelle said...

Oh no!!! I hope it leaves without spreading it's love around....scratch, scratch....here from ICLW!

Nicole said...

Sounds like you figured out a good combo...I always had calamine lotion following cool baths. Did you know that the sensations of cold and itch cannot occur at the same time? So maybe some ice packs if it gets really unbearable.

Good luck!

Anonymous said...

Hey! I found your sign via blogger bingo.

I know that this post is wicked old, but it contained an update :-)

I just wanted to let you know that for your future information, Burts Bee's poison ivy soap works really well. I spent many many summers working at Girl Scout camps and we had more cases of poison ivy than I liked. Burts Bees soap works well at helping "contain" the rash.

As far as keeping them from scratching it, it's hard to do that. I had some luck with "substitute" scratchers (having them scratch on a teddy bear/doll where it itched on them...but it's very much a temporary solution.