Tips on Poison Ivy Prevention

If you are a medic or a concerned parent or guardian, one of the most important things you'll need to learn is poison ivy prevention. One of the most common allergies for kids, poison ivy preys on many unsuspecting children who find themselves enamored with the plant and come into contact with them, not knowing that they are about to get poison ivy from the contact. This is particularly rampant during the summer when kids are always out and about, particularly in grassy areas where poison ivy plants tend to congregate.

It's urushiol—something that poison ivy contains—that is the culprit for the much-dreaded poison ivy rash. Once this rubs off on human skin, this can lead to the development of poison ivy rash, which can prove to be uncomfortable, itchy and painful. No part of the body is immune to the effects of urushiol, and so this is why it is of high importance that one knows how to prevent their kids from contracting poison ivy rash.

A Primer on Poison Ivy Prevention

How does one prevent poison ivy rash? The first thing that you'll need to do is familiarize yourself with the plant. Know what it looks like and know how to spot it among a host of other plants in an area of lush greenery. This is really one of the most important things you can do to arm yourself against the skin allergy. By knowing what it looks like, you can avoid coming into contact with poison ivy, and protect your kids as well.

If you know that you are taking your kids to a place where poison ivy will possibly present, dress them for safety by getting them into long-sleeved shirts and pants that fully cover their ankles. Get them into socks and sneakers to make sure that their feet don't come into contact with poison ivy by accident. Do the same for yourself and your other companions.

Finally, make sure that you know poison ivy first aid. Once you have realized that your kid has touched a poison ivy plant, wash or rinse the infected area with cool water right away, particularly if you are not so near an emergency area or clinic. Once you get home, purchase calamine lotion to soothe the itching and rash breakout.

With the right poison ivy prevention methods, you and your kids won't ever have to suffer from poison ivy rash again. Therefore, keep all these tips in mind especially if you and your family love the great outdoors. Knowing what to watch out for and how to guard yourself against poison ivy rash will go a long way in preventing you from contracting the allergy in the near future.

Let's take a look at some popular products used for poison ivy prevention:

Adventure Medical Ivy Block Lotion, 4 fl oz (120 ml) (Pack of 2)

Adventure Medical Ivy Block Lotion works to prevent poison ivy rashes by forming a protective barrier on the surface of the skin that blocks the rash causing urushiol oil from bonding with the skin cells. You should apply this lotion at least fifteen minute prior to possible contact with poison ivy, poison oak, or other such rash inducing plants.For maximum effectiveness after applying this product you should still be cautious and try to avoid coming into contact with poison ivy plants whenever possible.

   Ivy Rid Spray 3 OZ  

Ivy Rid Spray is not a product that is applied prior to exposure.   It is actually a product that is used after you have been exposed and a rash has began to form.   This soothing spray helps to alleviate the painful itching of the poison ivy rash.   It also prevents the spread of the poison ivy rash by providing a protective barrier that blocks the rash causing urushiol oil from causing the rash to expand further.   The soothing effects of this spray work to numb the area and relieve itching that is caused by poison ivy rashes and it also works for mosquito bites as well.