Try remedies before steroid for poison ivy

DEAR DR. GOTT: Living in a wooded area, I often get repeated bouts of poison ivy – either from walking in overgrown areas or perhaps from my dog, who always accompanies me. Well, this year is a particularly bad one for me, and I would like your recommendations for how to treat it. I feel my only help at this point is to see my doctor for a prednisone prescription.

DEAR READER: I am not prone to poison ivy, oak or sumac, but I have two members of my office staff who are. One has had the problem for years and was treated as a child with pink calamine lotion smeared all over her. The other who was convinced she had no problems and prided herself on cleaning flowerbeds where poison ivy was known to grow.

Well, this year she was quite surprised to get a case that was tough to control. She had it near her eyes, between her fingers, on her ears and in various other locations. She tried some over-the-counter products, gauze pads dipped in alcohol and a host of other things, but found the best thing to be Ivy Wash, which was available at her local independent pharmacy. When I looked at the packaging, I noted it contains natural jojoba and glycerin that may have provided the relief in a more soothing manner.

One home remedy you might also consider is a paste of white vinegar and baking soda applied to affected areas. My recommendation is that you give one of these two suggestions a try before asking your physician for a steroid.

Readers who would like related information can order my Health Report “Compelling Home Remedies” by sending a self-addressed, stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 U.S. check or money order to Dr. Peter Gott, P.O. Box 433, Lakeville, CT 06039. Be sure to mention the title, or print an order form from my website’s direct link: www.AskDrGott MD.com/order_form.pdf.