- 1). Do not scratch that itch! If you break the skin, the classic poison ivy ooze will never stop. Scratching increases the risk of infection.
- 2). See your doctor if you have a severe case. One year, I got it on my face. My cheeks swelled so big I looked like a chipmunk with a mouth full of acorns. Several people though that was pretty funny, but not me! Doctors can prescribe strong medicated creams that reduce swelling and help a little with the itching. In a worse case scenario, they will prescribe steroids to reduce swelling. That was the only way to get rid of my swollen cheeks!
- 3). Turn on your kitchen faucet to the hottest setting. Remove any clothing from the area you want to scratch. You may need to use the bathtub instead. Once the tap is as hot as it can get, put the itchy area under the water stream. For about 30 seconds, you will have the most unbelievable sensation. I would describe it as several dozen hands scratching your itch all at once. By using hot water, you are releasing histamines that would be released by scratching! Relief without the mess.
- 4). Repeat as necessary. I have found that a couple minutes of long, hot water on the site of the itch can relieve the urge to scratch for hours.
- 5). You may wish to use calamine lotion before going to bed. This will help a bit.
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