Poison Oak Rash Itch: I Have An Answer

Beware Poison Oak and Ivy

Each year in the summer when I start flower gardening  or  mowing the lawn, I get a rash from Poison Oak.  It is such a joy  to wait for my first rash.  I know that I will get one.  It does not matter what I shrub my hands and arms with, I still get a rash in a few days.  This is the second time this year that I have been attack by that lovely weed, that hides from me in the garden.

Oh, I look and look trying to find it but for some reason, it escapes my vision until I have a handful of it along with the weeds that are growing beside it.  Dang stuff.  If only I had the power to get rid of one lovely looking plant on this earth, you can bet your last dollar that it would be this creeping vine.

My point in not how much I dislike it.  My point is how to treat the pain that comes from the rash.  I have tried all the old folk remedies along with all the creams and lotions that the pharmacy offers, plus, whatever the good doctor will give me, when I give up and run screaming into their office, pleading for help.

Oh there are creams, lotions and potions will help dry it up a bit but the pain, agony and hurt that comes from the itch has escaped me for years now.  One night this week I was itching so badly.  I was thinking about when I had knee surgery and how the doctor used ice to reduce the swelling.  Ice  is something that I use to help to manage the pain of a hurting back.  I had read once that an itch is like a pain.

With those thoughts in mind, I went to the freezer to get an ice pack.   Anything was worth a try.  While I was watching my favorite television show, I put that ice pack on the place that was driving me nuts.  Bingo.  It worked.  In just about ten minutes, the itching was gone.  The best part was that it did not come back as I was preparing for bed.  The next morning it wasn’t itching.  However, it started to itch again later in the day.  Ice pack to the rescue.  Each day, I have to use the ice less and less.

Yeah, I have come across something that works for me.  I hope that it will work for you too, if you are having to deal with this terrible itch from such a lovely looking little, monster of a plant.

Best wishes.  I feel like I have just come up with a cure for a dreaded disease. 🙂  You may call me Dr. Sassy.