Poison Ivy Cream

Poison ivy creams can be classed into 2 categories, prevention and treatment of poison ivy dermatitis. Poison ivy creams and gels can form a protective barrier that can prevent or delay the skin’s exposure to urushiol while Poison Ivy Creams have actives to relieve reactive Poison Ivy symptoms such as itching, redness, rashes and swelling.

Preventative or barrier creams: Blocking type Poison Ivy Creams that are applied to the skin prior to going out in areas where poison ivy is prevalent. In many cases, these Poison Ivy Creams and gels will give you enough time to wash and scrub off the urushiol once you realize you were exposed to Poison Ivy. Unfortunately for most poison ivy sufferers, they weren’t forward thinking enough in their outdoor adventure to even plan on an accidental poison ivy encounter. It is important to note that most Poison Ivy Creams are only a temporary barrier and you must wash off the urushiol as soon as practical to avoid a Poison Ivy reaction and outbreak.

Treatment creams: There are many types of over the counter Poison Ivy Creams for poison ivy including antihistamines, hydrocortisone, alcohol-based scrubs, analgesic creams, and antiseptic creams or gels.

Antihistamines, although are effective in stopping the Poison Ivy itch have their own reactions depending on the strength of the active.
Steroids come in oral, injectable and topically applied cream forms. Oral corticosteroids such as prednisone are by prescription from a doctor and can be very effective at supplementing the corticosteroids that you produce naturally to ward off many inflammations such as colds and poison ivy. Some steroids, such as Benzocaine require more careful consideration as those with asthma and heart disease are at risk of overdosing creating secondary and more serious problems.
Alcohol-based scrubs are best used during early exposure and reactive symptoms before blisters are formed. These scrubs are effective in removing urushiol from the skin during the first week of exposure, thus minimizing if not eliminating the risk of outbreak. Scrubbing during advanced reactive outbreaks can rupture blisters can cause more pain as air comes in contact with the exposed, raw skin. This also increases the risk of infection creating more problems. If you know you have been exposed to poison ivy it is best to wash the exposed area immediately and thoroughly with a good orange soap before urushiol has a chance to attach and enter the skin.
Analgesic creams generally have other actives with them such as alcohol or steroids to treat multiple symptoms. By themselves they are marginally effective as they only treat one aspect of poison ivy.
Antiseptic creams include Calamine, a mixture of zinc and iron oxide. It has a mild anti-itching agent, mild antiseptic agent and used as an astringent to dry weeping blisters. Products with calamine generally contain other antiseptics and antihistamines. Benzalkonium chloride creams are very good antiseptics and surfactant (soap) treatments for poison ivy. They also act as a drying agent to control weeping blisters, reduce swelling and itching, and aid in healing the outbreak.

More Resources:

Poison Ivy Wiki

Poison Ivy Rash Mayo

Poison Ivy Studies – UMMC

Get Rid of Poison Ivy

Poison Ivy Contagious

Poison Ivy Remedy