So, I got my first case of poison ivy or oak or hogweed or something on our hike this weekend. Not sure how it happened though. We were careful to wear long pants and stay on the trail. It's only my top left shin and it's REALLY itchy.

The trail was mostly like this:


But it's starting to get a little crowded in some spots. Not as bad as it was in this pic from last summer but on most of the scrub was at least waist high:


I've got anti-hystamines and calamine lotion at home but what would you use in the field? I'm thinking that both would work well but carrying a bottle of calamine lotion in my pack just doesn't seem right. I thought a tube of Gold Bond cream might work better.

Any suggestions about how to avoid something like this or how to treat it??

My FAKs always have a topical anti-itch cream, like Cortaid. That's my top choice. Calamine relieves the itch but doesn't, in my experience, work as well, as well as being bulkier to carry, so I don't carry it. An anti-sting med like a bee sting swab is a good next choice for temporary relief. Last is Neosporin plus pain, it works better than nothing and I always have some, but it's not great for this.

Thanks Chaos. I'll have a look for that.

You can get single use packets of Hydrocortisone cream.

This site also has lots of other travel size items from food to games.

REI also carries single use size first aid items.

See if you can find Tecnu at the drug or outdoor store. It is great for removing the oils. Even if you already have the rash, Tecnu can help prevent it from spreading. If you got the oils on other items (boots, pants, etc.) you can use it to remove the oils and prevent re-exposure.

Tecnu

Pete

I ran across this a few weeks ago.

That could be it. It was out there for sure. I just can't figure out how I got it through my pants.

I carry anti-itch cream from the dollar store. Works well for me.

In my fanny pack, I carry generic antihistimine capsules in my minimal FAK along with some anti-itch stuff I found at Walmart in the clearance section.

Have not had the occassion to try any on a poison ivy rash yet.

Its the last picture in this post.
http://ilbob.blogspot.com/2012/03/walmart-shopping-trip-today.html

here on the left coast we have poison oak.
first is a physical barrier - long pants, long sleeves, gloves.
second might be this product: IvyX.
post exposure: what pete said above - you gotta get the oils off.
for me, i use benadryl creme ( comes in large tubes or in stick form for travel ) under a bandaid ( helps keep my fingers off the itch and also stops the spreading. )
the last little bit i had on the back of my left hand took two weeks to go away - but little to no itch.
maybe a mix of your favorite steroid cream with a bit of benadryl creme might work.