FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Trish Scorpio, Greg
Swan: Kohnstamm Communications, 651/228-9141
Thao Le, Hyland’s
Inc., 800/624-9659
ITCHING FOR A SOLUTION?
Outdoor
Enthusiasts Stock Up on IvyComplete™, the Only Kit
Available for Prevention and Immediate Relief from
Uncomfortable Poison Ivy, Oak and Sumac Symptoms
Three-in-one package includes IvyBlock®, the ONLY
FDA-approved lotion that can help PREVENT rash and itching
LOS ANGELES (May
16, 2005) —Everyone fears the annoying itch and oozing red rash
that can accompany coming into contact with that three-leaved
plant located in fields, backyards and hiking trails throughout
America. Yet each year, 10 to 50 million Americans develop an
allergic reaction to poison ivy, oak and sumac – which can lead
to days or even weeks of itching, oozing and dry skin that can
be annoying and uncomfortable.
This summer,
everyone from firefighters and utility workers to vacationers
and kids heading out to camp can head outdoors without fear
thanks to a new three-product kit called IvyComplete™
distributed by Hyland’s, Inc. Introduced just in time for this
year’s poison ivy season, the package features IvyBlock®
lotion, the only FDA-approved product that can help prevent
the skin rash that accompanies coming into contact with poison
ivy, oak and sumac. If you forget to use IvyBlock®
prior to going outside, the package also includes
IvyCleanse®, an alcohol wipe for removing the harmful
oils that cause poison plant rash and itching after coming in
contact with the plant, and Ivy Soothe®, a
maximum-strength cream clinically tested for safety and
effectiveness in providing rapid relief from itch and rash from
poisonous plants, insect bites and more. Recently acquired by
Los Angeles-based Hyland’s, Inc., the Ivy Complete pack
featuring IvyBlock®
lotion is unique among anti-itch skin products
because IvyBlock®
is the only product available today that contains
an active ingredient called Bentoquatam™ that creates an
absorbent barrier to block the allergenic oil in poisonous
plants from touching or being absorbed by the skin.
Outdoors
Enthusiasts Stock Up on IvyComplete™. . .
/2
When applied to clean, dry skin at least 15 minutes prior to the
risk of exposure, IvyBlock’s active ingredient helps prevent the
oil from reaching the skin.
Poison ivy,
oak and sumac plants are the single most common cause of
allergic skin reactions in the United States. The allergic
reactions are caused by contact with urushiol, which is found in
the sap of the plants. Urushiol penetrates the skin within
minutes, and a reaction appears in the form of a line or streak
of a rash within 12 to 48 hours. Redness and swelling
occur, often followed by blisters and severe itching. On
average, the rash takes between 10 days to three weeks to heal.
“In my practice, I’ve seen some pretty
serious reactions that can definitely affect a patient’s health
after they mistakenly touch the oils in poison ivy, oak and
sumac,” says Dr. Joseph F. Fowler, dermatologist in private
practice, Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the University
of Louisville School of Medicine and spokesperson for IvyBlock®.
Fowler, who co-authored a study outlining IvyBlock’s
effectiveness published in the Journal of American Academy
of Dermatology in August 1995, knows firsthand of the unique
properties contained in the key ingredient of the IvyBlock and
IvyComplete™ products.
“Poison ivy, oak and sumac can cause a skin
rash with extreme discomfort, itching, pain and a possible risk
of secondary infection. I recommend IvyBlock®
exclusively for prevention of these symptoms
because it’s the only product proven to block an allergic
reaction from exposure to these poisonous plants.”
When it comes to the general
population, between 75 to 85 percent of those individuals
exposed to urushiol will have an allergic reaction at some point
in life. Contact with urushiol can occur in three ways – by
directly touching the sap of the toxic plant, by indirectly
touching something that has urushiol on it such as animal fur,
sporting equipment, garden tools or clothing, or by coming into
contact with airborne urushiol particles such as burning plants
or the spray from a weed whacker. Many individuals
think that wearing long sleeves, gloves and pants can reduce the
likelihood of a reaction, but in reality, sap can seep through
clothes – IvyBlock®
can prevent this. The sap-containing plant parts
are allergenic and irritant all year round.
Ivy Complete (containing
IvyBlock® as one of the three products) is available
at RiteAid stores nationwide as an over-the counter (OTC)
product and requires no prescription. IvyBlock® lotion is
available at CVS, Longs, Stop N Shop, Kinney Drug, Happy
Harry’s, Meijers, Giant Food and a wide range of
chain and independent pharmacies
and many outdoor sports stores
such as REI and EMS nationwide. The suggested retail price for
IvyComplete™
is $23.99. The suggested
retail price for a 4 oz. bottle of IvyBlock® lotion
is $11.99. For more information or a list of
retail locations, visit
www.ivyblock.com.
# # #
For more information on IvyBlock®
and Hyland’s
homeopathic medicines, call Trish Scorpio or Greg Swan at
Kohnstamm Communications: 651/228-9141 |
