Quick fix for Poison Ivy and Poison Oak. I have tried this over 20 times now and it works every time.
Posted by PabstyLoudmouth@reddit | preppers | View on Reddit | 27 comments
Use really hot running water and scrub the area open (you have to scrub really hard) and it usually feels really good anyway so scratch that shit open. Next dry off with a towel that you will be washing immediately. Then get out the bleach and use a q-tip and apply it to the affected area. yes this is going to hurt, but the bleach will kill the PE and PO almost instantly. You may be allergic to bleach but you would know that by now as you would not be able to go in a swimming pool.
DO NOT DO THIS ANYWHERE NEAR YOUR FACE, ASSHOLE, OR GENITALS as you will find me and kill me for telling you to do this. If you do get it in those areas just let it run it's course while using a drying agent such as calimine lotion or washing it with regular soap often (as soap drys your skin and stops the spread).
If you feel my information is not well founded I would like to hear why.
JoshGTO@reddit
Bleach doesnt really 'kill' anything. There isn't anything to kill at all except your skin cells. The alergic reaction is from the oils of the plant. Don't want the reaction? Remove the oils. Degreaser, dish soap, etc. also work well.
I usually use technu, but gojo or fast orange also work well since they have pumice. Feels ohh so good.
PabstyLoudmouth@reddit (OP)
Bleach kills lots of things, where are you getting your information? I agree washing down first helps to stop the rash from starting, but the bleach is for after you have a rash. It breaks the oil itself down making it non-toxic. Cold water may be better for the scrubbing process and that part I might be wrong on but this is the cheapest most effective way to end your poison IVY/Sumac nightmare.
JoshGTO@reddit
Yes, bleach kills a lot of things; mainly bacteria and mold. It does not, however, kill oil. There is no infection present when you get a rash from Poison Ivy/Oak/Sumac; only an allergic reaction. Bleach is also very harmful to your skin and you should take extreme caution using it to treat a rash from poison.
Dish soap or Fels Naptha are better alternatives which are as inexpensive.
millyjune@reddit
Are you okay?
RedNGold415@reddit
These people had no idea they would be providing Poison Oak remedies still 8 years later lol.
millyjune@reddit
Lol ikr. I'm struggling, apparently I'm sensitive to it because it was rough. It's calmed down now and I absolutely did NOT use bleach haha. Turns out running it under super hot water for a bit and then washing it with technu for 15 seconds is the way to go. Nothing (no calamine, no ivarest, no steroid cream, benadryl, nothing else helped like that method has.. Hopefully that helps some future readers 8 years from now lol.
dgfu2727@reddit
Haha well 2 years later I read this and going to cvs as I type this to get technu…it better work…I’m dying!
millyjune@reddit
Lol well good luck, I know it sucks!
deleted_by_reddit@reddit
Take a cool shower with dish liquid and/or Gojo. You idiots that put bleach in an open wound need to speak with a dermatologist.
source:(my aunt is a dermatologist)
PabstyLoudmouth@reddit (OP)
I would love for her to find a faster way to stop the itch and stop the rash. Calamine lotion has been recommended by Dermatologists for years and that does nothing. Find me a cheaper, faster, and more effective method and I will use it.
TheAngryShitter@reddit
Yeah really.. I don't give a shit what a dermatologist says. When I'm scratching myself to bloody pulp all night long. I don't care how toxic the chemical is. I'm gonna use it if it stops the itch. I'm sure ripping your skin apart isn't good for your skin either lol
Ok-Impression-4910@reddit
Does this work for poison sumac? I’m dying rn? I know I’m late on the comments but I look like swamp person rn
R3dStringFugu3@reddit
I just did my second treatment of it. It is strongly in remission. I suspect it will be gone in a few days. Thank. God.
Apprehensive_Fan7537@reddit
God bless you! Your bleach suggestion saved me. First time ever it didnt spread all over my entire body. Didn't have to get prednisone. Screw anyone who gave you crap about it.
OppositeAd3487@reddit
I do this but get some chlorine tablets and put them in H20 and dab it on my skin. Drys it out i have used bleach too
deleted_by_reddit@reddit
I've used Zanfel many times and it has always worked real well. Not the cheapest thing around but I have nothing but good things to say about it. Worth tossing a tube of it in the first aid kit.
PabstyLoudmouth@reddit (OP)
Does it kill the itch completely? I have not used that but the bleach kills it instantly.
mimashell@reddit
So does coconut oil.
CidRonin@reddit
I'm immune to both. I was once pissing near poison ivy and my buddy says "Whoa that area is covered in poison Ivy" and i drunkenly yell "I Dont Give A FUUUUUUCK" As I rub my dick and balls all over it. He didn't realize I was immune so the look of horror on his face was priceless.
Barthemieus@reddit
I was immune until about the age of 13, then it did a 180 and i'm highly reactive to it
mimashell@reddit
I could roll in it. Now it kills me too. I don't even know how I get it. My dogs, I think.
LucChak@reddit
Super old post, but I wanted to report on what I did. I tried what everyone said not to, I used the bleach. First I scrubbed the rash with one of those green scrub brushes, sloughing off the mutated flesh. I used dawn and hot water. Took it down to open wound level. Was extremely satisfying. Next, I did a second dawn wash with just my hands to remove any bacteria that might have been left by the brush. I let my skin air dry for a bit. Next, I took a q-tip dipped in bleach and lightly dabbed the wounds. Oddly, this didn't sting at all. Felt like nothing. Counted to five and then rinsed with cool water. I let that dry, carefully dabbing when the wounds would ooze clear. Then I took my spray bottle of rubbing alcohol and applied liberally. This did sting, but still weirdly satisfying because in contrast with the itch. I let it air dry. It's been ten hours and no itch. I'll watch for infection and keep it clean. No ointment or Band-Aids. So far, so good. I'll update if anything changes. No regrets.
pilfro@reddit
I'm laughing at this, yes this works!!! But it is sort of like cutting your finger off to remove the splinter in it. Granted I've done it and have a few scars...
MorningWizComic@reddit
Try pouring battery acid on it
LucChak@reddit
To do list for next time.
rayzerdayzhan@reddit
The only thing helping you there is the hot water. Poison ivy/oak rash is an allergic reaction to the urishiol oil in the plant. If you know you've been exposed to the plant, you can scrub that area with warm soapy water to get the oil off. The oil is thick and sticky, so you may have to scrub hard.
After you break out with a rash though, it's too late. Your body is already having the reaction. You can scrub again to make sure you get all the oil off. But scrubbing so hard you "open" the area is just increasing your chance of infection, especially after the rash/blisters have already appeared. So don't to that.
The bleach just dries out your skin. It may cause more irritation. I'd skip the bleach too.
Basically run the affected area under hot water. As hot as you can stand it. The reason it itches is due to histamines, a chemical compound your body produces. The histamines, which actually cause the itch, are your body's way of telling you "hey something is wrong here!". Running it under hot water will cause more histamines to rush to that area quickly, again telling you "it's really hot here, check it out!!!". You deplete your body of histamines, which gives you a few hours of itch relief.
Creepy_Creg@reddit
Yeah I actually got a case of cellulitis from open poison ivy sores, it was horrible.