ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Thursday, August 29, 1996              TAG: 9608290084
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL   PAGE: A-4  EDITION: METRO 
DATELINE: WASHINGTON
SOURCE: Associated Press 

FIRST THERE WAS SUN BLOCK; NOW IT'S TIME FOR ITCH BLOCK

People plagued by itchy poison ivy just got some help: the first government-backed drug to prevent the rash.

The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved IvyBlock, a nonprescription lotion that dries to form a white, claylike barrier against poison ivy, oak or sumac.

Until now, the only proven help was avoiding the poisonous plants or wearing protective - often hot - clothing. While some other products are touted as possible protection, the FDA has approved none of them as actually working.

But the FDA said rubbing on IvyBlock at least 15 minutes before exposure to the poisonous plants can protect people.

In a test of 144 people allergic to poison ivy, the lotion protected 68 percent from developing any rash, and those who did itch had a less severe rash than they developed when they didn't use the drug.

More than 9 million Americans sought remedies for the irritation caused by poison ivy, oak or sumac in 1994, and 15 percent of people sensitive to poison ivy alone can experience severe allergic reactions.

Hikers, park rangers, forest firefighters and others who work outdoors are most prone to repeated rashes. And they're among the first people manufacturer EnviroDerm Pharmaceuticals Inc. hopes to target with IvyBlock.

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