Review of Ivy Block
Most poison oak and poison ivy treatments are designed to relieve the symptoms of the allergic reaction that is caused by urushiol, the oil contained in the plants. Numerous topical medicines are available to provide some respite from the terrible itching and burning sensations that can accompany poison ivy rash, while some also claim to heal the rash more quickly or prevent it from spreading. Some treatments take a different approach, and offer a method of removing urushiol immediately after exposure to poison ovy or poison oak, thus preventing the oil from being absorbed by the skin and removing it before it can do any damage.
You might compare topical medicines and lotions to using aftersun lotion on sunburn – you've already been burned, and now you're just trying to do something to ease the pain. Prevention is definitely better, as you'll no doubt decide if you've suffered from either sunburn or poison oak/ivy! To follow the sunburn analogy, “Ivy Block” works like sunblock. Just as you'd put on sunblock before going outdoors, in order to prevent the sun's rays from damaging your skin, you can apply Ivy Block before going outside, in order to prevent posion oak or poison ivy from damaging your skin.
This is a clever, FDA-approved product that is used by many families. Safe and non-allergenic, it's really simple to use – you simply rub it on your skin before you go outside, and you'll be protected from poison ivy, oak, and sumac even if you are unfortunate enough to come into contact with them.
Ivy Block can be purchased as an over-the-counter lotion, and it brings great peace of mind for anyone who lives in an area where poison ivy thrives. It's especially popular amongst parents, who dread the thought of their adventurous kids encountering the poisonous plant as they play – after all, you can't watch them constantly, and the chances are that even if they're taught how to recognize it, they will accidentally touch some sooner or later. If you've rubbed all the exposed parts of their skin before they run off to play, you can relax in the knowledge that they're protected, and that you won't be dealing with any distraught children covered in the unsightly, itchy rash that would otherwise appear.
The product contains a substance called Bentoquatam, which basically absorbs urushiol before your skin gets the chance to. The rash referred to as poison ivy rash or poison oak rash isn't actually a reaction to the plants – that's why it doesn't appear immediately after contact. It's the urushiol that does the damage, and only then if it has been absorbed by the skin. While it remains on the surface, it can't cause a reaction – and the Bentoquatam contained in Ivy Block provides a protective barrier over the skin, soaking in the oil and rendering it powerless. Just like putting on sunblock to prevent the sun's harmful rays being absorbed by the skin! Ivy Block is a great preventative measure for those who don't want to have to deal with the unpleasant effects of exposure to poison ivy or poison oak. You can buy it online here.
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