The United States Public Health Service recommends a 10 percent alcoholic solution of tannic acid applied as a lotion. It is stated that in using it the tops of the blisters should be rubbed off with sterile gauze saturated with the solution and that any large blisters should be opened with a sterile instrument. The treatment should be repeated three or four times at 6-hour intervals. A modified form of this treatment recommends vigorous rubbing of the lesions with alcohol-soaked gauze to remove the tops of blisters, followed by application of a 10 percent aqueous solution of tannic acid as a lotion. Any treatment involving opening of blisters and the application of alcohol is severe, and many cases requiring such treatment should be handled by physicians.
One of the oldest well-established remedies is a fresh solution of one 5-grain tablet of potassium permanganate dissolved in 1 quart of water; concentrations as much as 5 percent, however, have been used. The potassium permanganate is apparently active in neutralizing any poison that may remain on the surface of the skin and it has some therapeutic properties. This solution may be applied freely to the irritated or contaminated skin, but the skin should be rinsed with water a few minutes after the stronger solutions are used. Applications should be repeated every hour or two. The brown stain it causes on the skin will in time wear off, or it may be removed with lemon juice. It more or less permanently stains clothing.
Ferric chloride in combination with several other substances has been used effectively by many people. One of the most common formulas is that given under the discussion of precautions against poisoning ([p. 22]). To this formula 1 to 3 percent of phenol is frequently added to reduce the itching; however, not more than 1 percent of phenol should ever be used without the advice of a physician, on account of the danger of systemic absorption and poisoning. The solution should be freely applied to the irritated or contaminated skin every hour or two. Some instances of persistence of the brown discoloration of the skin have been reported. For this reason its use is limited, but for most individuals the discoloration completely disappears after a few days. Stain on clothing is usually permanent.
Photographer’s hypo solution has been used with good results in many cases. This is a 10-percent solution of sodium thiosulfate in water. The irritated or contaminated skin should be bathed in it every hour or two. It does not stain skin or clothing.
A calamine lotion with the addition of about 2 percent of phenol is often used and in many cases is effective. Frequent applications are necessary. For some people it is effective in relieving the itching. The pink stain is not permanent.
It is better to leave inflamed areas exposed to the air rather than cover them with dressings. If poisoning is so severe that dressings appear necessary, a physician should be consulted before any home remedies are applied.
[ERADICATION OF PLANTS]
Poison-ivy[2] can be killed either by mechanical means, such as digging, or by applying chemical herbicides. The best modern herbicides are so deadly to plants that a single treatment kills all the leaves and 90 percent or more of the roots. This is the easiest and least dangerous way to destroy these poisonous pests. There are places, however, where chemicals cannot be used, as in hedges and shrubbery where the poison-ivy is closely mixed with the valuable plants. In such situations, hand-pulling is the only satisfactory method. At times also chemicals and spraying equipment are not available, and then the mattock, scythe, or plow must be resorted to. Even with these simple tools some timing and handling methods are better than others.