#1 ·
Ivy carries some pretty potent toxins, particularly during the months of June, July, and August. I actually managed to cut through some ornamental ivy while mowing my lawn the other day, and even though I was wearing pants, I felt this immediate stinging sensation on my upper thighs. By that evening, I was looking at a classic allergic reaction—it looked just like a nasty nettle sting and came with a persistent itch. As the days went by, the rash seemed to expand and the itching just got more intense. On the sixth day, I finally decided to see a doctor, who prescribed some Benadryl gel and gave me an allergy injection to get things under control. I started applying the gel three times a day right away. During the recovery process, I suppose it’s vital to resist the urge to scratch; if the itching becomes unbearable, you might want to try soothing the area with cold water instead. I didn't notice much of a difference for the first few days, but after about five days of sticking to the treatment, everything slowly began to subside. It might also be worth noting that for about four days while you're treating it, you should probably avoid eating fish, eggs, or dairy, as those can trigger allergies and make the healing process a bit more difficult. Also, it seems important not to wash the affected area with any soaps or shampoos; I found that using nothing but cold water is the best way to go.