How to Stop the Itch of Poison Ivy with Hot Water

I remember well the days of sitting at my computer hands, and face completely on fire from poison ivy wondering what I was going to do. Would I ever be itch free again? It was 3 am and I have never been so uncomfortable, even giving birth. I sat there thinking "Surely there is something I can do to relieve the itching". I tried everything, benedryl, hydrocortisone cream, ivy dry, even the expensive Zanfel. For the first few days of my poison ivy break out I did everything I could to avoid getting hot because of course the heat made my itch even more intense. I didn't exercise, I didn't cook over a hot stove, I even showered in cold water. Little did I know hot water would become my best friend. Yes, you heard me right, hot water.

Anyone who has ever had poison ivy knows that if it gets hot it itches more intensely than you could ever imagine. If poison ivy sufferers can tough it out in a hot shower, the hottest water you can stand, after about 2 minutes the itch will stop. Unbelievable, but completely true. The reason for this is that the heat brings the histamines that are causing you to itch to the surface. That hot bath or shower will cause almost unbearable itching as the histamines are being released, yet once the histamines are depleted from your skin you could be itch free for hours. It may even be possible to sleep through the night without itching! When you start to itch again simply turn on the hot water and step in that shower again. It is the hottest version of Heaven imaginable.

Now that I have sufficiently sung the praises of hot water, there is one more suggestion. If money or lack of insurance is not an issue, go to the doctor and get a decadron shot, or other "anti itch" shot. It may very well be the best $20 co-pay you'll ever spend. One can only shower so many hours in a day, but if you are suffering at night or on a weekend and a doctor is out of reach then hot water is a friend to those in need. Stay out of the poison ivy, but if you find yourself covered in a nasty itchy rash, know that you can always turn to the trusted best friend of smart poison ivy sufferers, good ole hot water.