Poison Ivy is a rash that comes from the poison ivy plant or cousins there of.  Other cousins include poison oak and poison sumac.  Poison ivy is a common rash.  Very rarely is poison ivy life threatening but the itching can be quite irritating.  Tens of millions of people get poison ivy every year. 

  Poison Ivy if left untreated will go away in a few weeks generally.  Some times the rash may last up to one month.  The main symptom for poison ivy is itching and rashes.  Some people have rashes all throughout their body in severe cases of poison ivy. 

Homeopathy uses like substances to attack poison ivy.  Rhus Tox is the most famous homeopathic remedy to treat poison ivy.  Rhus Tox is the poison ivy plant itself.  The plant is diluted so that the poison ivy is not that strong.  Most poison ivy treatment require a low dilution such as 3X or 6X.  Poison Ivy pills are in a 4X potency.  This low dilution of poison ivy helps triggers the body immune system to heal itself from the poison ivy rash.  Rhus Tox is also used for prevention of poison ivy. 

Rhus Tox is not the only treatment available to help with poison ivy.  There are some non homeopathic treatments that work as well.  Poison Ivy Block lotion helps you to prevent the poison ivy rash in the first place.  Rusto Lotion and Poison Ivy Soap can help stop severe itching as well.

References

http://knol.google.com/k/poison-ivy-and-poison-oak# 

    Exposure to poison ivy can be a truly annoying if not painful experience-as anyone who has suffered from it will tell you. Once your skin has been exposed, it seems to take on a life of its own: a painful, itchy rash that spreads quickly, is easily irritated, and is very contagious-both from person to person as well as from body part to body part. Whether you have experienced poison ivy exposure before or not, knowing the simple ways in which to prevent this condition is absolutely imperative. This can save you weeks of maddening skin irritation, money on medicated creams, and overall hassle with the condition. 

    Here’s how to avoid the plant altogether from interrupting your life: 

   1.     Know How to Identify It-  Probably the most key aspect of avoiding poison ivy exposure is to be able to recognize the plant itself, and therefore limit contact. Poison ivy is typically found in vines and shrubs outdoors, and has three unmistakeable shiny leaves. Though it is very hard to confuse poison ivy with another plant, if in doubt, you should just avoid the plant in question altogether.  

     2.    Know Its Habitat-  Whether you live in areas where poison ivy is grown or are traveling to somewhere new, knowing where poison ivy is likely to grow is necessary to avoiding it. Most commonly, you will find the plant in wooded areas that receive little to no sunlight.  

    3.    Dress to Protect-  If you know that you will be spending time outdoors-whether for a casual walk with the dog or perhaps a more intensive all-day hike, try to cover exposed skin by wearing pants and long sleeved shirts, etc. Moreover, it is also advised to wear hiking boots and thick socks to protect your ankles and feet. The less exposed skin, the less room for possible exposure. 

  4.    Wash, Wash, Wash-  Even if you don’t think that you have rubbed against the poison ivy plant, it never hurts to wash your exposed skin thoroughly with soap and water. Poison ivy is one of those conditions that you do not know if you have until it you are itchy and then it is too late to prevent. Though any soap is better than none, choosing one especially for poison ivy contact may be more effective. 

  5.     Launder-  Most people forget that their clothes can carry the poison ivy poison, and don’t treat their clothes following contact. Make sure to wash all clothes worn while outdoors-whether you think they have been compromised or not. It is always better to be safe than sorry.  

   6.   Shower-  Washing not just your clothes but also yourself is also another preventative measure in making sure your contact with poison ivy is as limited as possible. After time spent outdoors where the plant might have been, ensure to immediately take a shower and wash all possibly affected areas thoroughly.  

  7.     Lotion-  There are a number of lotions on the market to not only treat poison ivy exposure but also to act as a shield against exposure. Apply poison ivy lotion and lather on thoroughly for extra protection.  

Here are some interesting links that I have found through out the week.

Brand New Homeopathic Remedy Finder

The homeopathic remedy software seems much more advanced than other homeopathic remedy software that I have seen. Keep in mind this software is not a replacement for a doctor. It just helps people get a general idea of where to start when they have a symptom and are looking for homeopathic solution.

News articles in the news on homeopathy

Consumer Reports

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/health/2008/03/homeopathic-rem.html

The article pretty much just states that the remedy Zicam is not really labeled homeopathic. It is pretty much put besides other hay fever relef medicine. The homeopathic label is on the medicine. Interesting that consumer report shows only one large unsuccessful homeopathic trial with in this article that was fundamentally flawed to begin with as you can read below.

www.hpakids.org/holistic-health/articles/154/1/Homeopathy-Proven-Successful-for-ADHD -

This article states that homeopathy was successful in treating kids wth ADHD. Critics point to the fact that the size of these trials are too small to state the homeopathy is effective in treating kids with ADHD. A larger study needs to be completed.

Seasonal Articles

Allergies

This article is how to deal with allergies as they come on.

http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200880509003

The homeopathic treatments are toward the bottom of the article. No specific homeopathic allergy remedies are listed due to the fact homeopathic remedies can vary depending on the region you live in

Poison Ivy

This article tells people how to deal with Poison Ivy. Best suggestion is do not get it in the first place.

The article states the best homeopathic poison ivy remedy is Rhus toxicodendron 12C or 30C. Dosage is three pellets dissolved under the tongue every 30 minutes until the symptoms subside, and then every two to four hours until symptoms are gone.

Have a great Friday and enjoy the weekend.