The following information is obtained from various newswires,
published medical journal articles, and medical conference presentations.
Company: EnviroDerm Pharmaceuticals
Approval Status: Approved September 1996
Treatment for: skin protectant for poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac
General Information
IvyBlock has been approved as a poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac skin protectant. Ivy Block should be applied to skin at least 15 minutes before possible contact with the poisonous plants and re-applied every four hours for continued protection. The lotion may be removed with soap and water.
Mechanism of Action
According to EnviroDerm, Ivy Block lays down an active barrier on the skin with a special formula that helps block skin contact with urushiol, the oil in the plants which triggers the rash, thereby serving to help protect against poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac rash.
Literature References
Clinical data can be found in the August 1995 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Additional Information
Poison ivy can affect two out of three Americans, and of these, 15% may have severe allergic reactions, which require medical treatment. In 1994, more than nine million Americans sought remedies for the irritation caused by poison ivy, oak, and sumac. According to the National Safety Council, these poisonous plants are the largest cause of occupational contact dermatitis for outdoor workers in many areas of the country.
