new discovery for rash/itching

[markie]

well, new to me and thought I would share for those who might be interested.... I got a very bad case of poison oak last weekend... topicals don't help at all, it was miserable... I went to the doctor yesterday to get prednisone.... she suggested Zyrtec and Pepcid taken together... expensive so I bought off brand, cheap enough... the itch is gone... this is life altering for me

I never had a bout of poison ivy in Vermont, but here in Maryland, I am continually breaking out from poison oak... this time I was preparing garden in unworked land... pulling vines that I assumed were regular English Ivy... must be there was some poison oak in the mix and because it hasn't leafed out yet, didn't know... so just a fyi for those in need

[hlthe2b]

1. yes... they both have antihistamine functions (zyrtec, cetirazine blocks H-1 receptors) & Pepsid (famotidine, blocks H-2

So, together they are working to block two different receptors that can cause itch-producing histamine release. Typically only recommended for more serious allergic responses like poison oak, ivy.

[GreenWave]

2. I just lop on some DE (human food grade), rub it in. Suckers die in a flash.

[progressoid]

3. DE?

[Amaryllis]

6. For rashes??

[jayschool2013]

10. I should delete my post.

I have no idea.

[hlthe2b]

11. Likely diatomaceous earth-- which is mostly silica (so caution breathing it) but food grade used topically

would be reasonably safe. That which is NOT food grade could be contaminated with all manner of things, so read labels if you want to go this route.

[progressoid]

12. OK thanks.

I'm pretty cautious about poison ivy so now my exposure is lessened. But I do still get the occasional outbreak. Back in the day, I used to get nasty rashes.
I think I'll stick to Tecnu or Iverest followed by some Benadryl spray if needed. But I am definitely bookmarking this for the zyrtec and Pepcid idea.

[birdographer]

5. I would have appreciated this when we lived in FL

I was constantly getting poison ivy on my forearms. Not because I spent any time anywhere near the plants but because my dogs and cats meandered through them, then I would hold/cuddle them and it would transfer to my skin.

I became weirdly sensitive after a lot of that. Right now if I stick my arms into any kind of growing green shrub or bush (boxwood, hydrangeas, etc.), I break out in hives on my arms. If I sit in grass and it touches my skin, same deal. Not nearly as terrible as poison oak or ivy, an ice cube takes the hives down within minutes, but kind of a pain in the butt arms.

[progressoid]

7. Me too.

Didn't use to be a problem until I hit my 40's. One night one of our cats (who loved to explore the bushes etc.) snuggled up next to my face in bed. A day or so later my face looked pretty nasty. I ended up getting a shot to bring the swelling down around my eye.

Now I often do yardwork with long sleeves and immediately wash with Ivarest if I think I've had contact.

[FailureToCommunicate]

8. Did you try what pros use..."tecnu" on the affected areas?

Always has worked for me.

[markie]

13. tried it

nothing topical helps, and I have tried EVERYTHING! Prednisone is the best, but often I can't get it

[Katcat]

9. Gonna have to remember that

I’m really allergic to poison ivy and usually have to get a shot. One time I was covered with it and it was near my eyes ugh

[Wiz Imp]

14. Interesting. Many years ago I tried Pepcid once for my acid reflux (Got some for free)

and within 3 days, I was itching all over. It clearly had the opposite effect on me. I never took it again (itching stopped right away) and went back to Prilosec until I got my current prescription for Omeprazole.