Stop Poison Ivy in it's Tracks with Ivarest

This year our family started camping with our two kids. Once a month or more we headed to a state park for the weekend to take in a little fresh air.

While we love the park we normally go to, there is poison ivy everywhere. On the edge of each of the campsites and along every trail there is poison ivy. I taught my older child "leaves of three, let them be" and show her each time what it looks like. But it's difficult to tell a two-year-old what specifically to avoid.

The CDC offers the following information to help identify poisonous plants and prevent contact:

• Poison Ivy – Found across the entire United States. This plant often grows as low plants, shrubs and vines and is typically seen as three shiny green tapered leaves growing out from one node on the stem. Poison ivy may also have yellow or green flowers and white to green-yellow or amber berries. Just keep in mind “leaves of three, let them be!”
• Poison Oak – Found along the entire West Coast and from the Mid-Atlantic states down through Florida. This plant generally has three oak-shaped leaves per stem similar to poison ivy. Poison oak may have yellow or green flowers and clusters of green-yellow or white berries.
• Poison Sumac – Found east of the Mississippi from Canada to central Florida. This plant can have seven to 13 leaves on a stem that are arranged in pairs. Poison sumac may also have light yellow or cream-colored berries.

I have a lot of experience identifying these poisonous plants because my job used to take me deep in the forests. At lunchtime and at the end of the day, my coworkers and I often used Ivarest Poison Ivy Cleansing Foam to get off any oils from poisonous plants that we may have been in contact with. Not to mention washing all clothing that may have come in contact with the plants.

When we began camping with the kids, I was sure to include Ivarest in our staple camping supplies. Thankfully no one was exposed to it this summer and we didn't have to reach for the Ivarest Double Relief Treatment Cream. But we were prepared and I think that makes all the difference.

(From the company:)
Ivarest Poison Ivy Cleansing Foam is a new poisonous plant cleanser that’s uniquely effective whether used immediately after exposure or once a rash has begun. For those who know they’ve been in contact with a poisonous plant, treatment can begin immediately to prevent an outbreak. If used soon after exposure, Ivarest Poison Ivy Cleansing Foam’s special combination of cleansers lifts oily plant allergens from the skin surface to be easily washed away, minimizing any reaction and stopping the rash from spreading.

Another unique aspect of Ivarest Poison Ivy Cleansing Foam is its proprietary dispensing system. The foam offers a gentle application that eliminates the need for hard rubbing that can further irritate affected skin. Since additional water is unnecessary to generate lather, the foam also reduces the potential to spread the toxins to other areas of the body while washing. To use, rub the affected area with the foam and rinse the skin with running water. It also lends itself to easy application over large areas of the body, which is especially helpful when the exact area of exposure is unknown.

For more information about Ivarest Double Relief Treatment Cream and Ivarest Poison Ivy Cleansing Foam (including precautions for use), visit their website.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more! She's getting itchy just thinking about poison ivy!

(Disclaimer: as with any product, read labels and use accordingly. The company provided me with samples, though I have long been a customer.)