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Best U.S. Hospitals Please note that I am not a doctor. The information given here is an account of things that have helped me. You are advised to consult your physician before doing anything that might harm your body. HiccupsThis has never failed to work in my experience. While firmly pressing the palms of your hands firmly against each ear, hold your breath and drink a glass of water. Usually just a few swallows is sufficient. If nobody is available to help you, try using a drinking fountain or a straw. Poison Ivy ItchNow that I know what the plant looks like and how sensitive I am to it, I use great care to avoid contact. This includes covering potential areas of exposure and taking care not to touch pets or clothes that may have been exposed. I also wash immediately (with Fel's or Octagon bar soap). Be aware that it is not just the leaves that can get you. Poison ivy grows as a hairy vine up the side of trees. If you are cutting wood or just hiking through the woods, beware. I tried calamine lotion and cortisone creams. They never
really helped much; but one thing does give guaranteed relief
for about an hour or so. I run hot (but not scalding hot) the
water from the faucet or shower directly on the area of
irritation for as long as I can stand (about ten seconds) and
maybe repeat it a time or two. While the water is in contact
with the skin it seems to intensify the itch a bit more, but
once I'm done, the itch is gone (or greatly reduced). My theory
is that it must overload the sensors and cause then to reduce
their signal. Before I learned this trick, there was a
prescription medication that did really work. It is called
Aristocort A, triamcinolone acetonide cream from Lederle
Laboratories. © Ron Harrod, 2001-2011. |