The Most Effective Home Remedies For Poison Ivy
Now that the weather is thankfully no
longer scorching hot, it’s the perfect time to get some fresh air and
observe fall in all its golden beauty. As you enjoy your walk through
the park or hike through the forest, it’s best to be vigilant, as merely
brushing against the leaves of poison ivy or poison oak can leave your
skin with a painful blistering rash.
Poison ivy rashes are the most common
allergic reaction in the US, affecting 25-40 million people annually.
Some people are so sensitive to poison ivy that touching an animal or
camping gear that was in contact with poison ivy can trigger a reaction.
But fear not, even if you happen to get an allergic reaction to the
poisonous plant, everyday home ingredients like banana peels, baking
soda, and aloe will be able to alleviate itching, prevent the rash from
spreading, and speed up the healing process. In this post, we discuss
the best home remedies for a poison ivy rash.
Why does poison ivy trigger a rash?
Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) is a three-leafed vine plant
widespread in the US and Asia. The seemingly harmless ground-dwelling
plant contains an oily substance called urushiol. The same substance is
also present in poison oak and poison sumac, so the tips we share here
will also apply to rashes caused by these plants. 
Urushiol is an extremely common allergen
that causes an itchy, red, and blistering rash that appears immediately
or within 96 hours after exposure to the plant. The rash and itching can
persist for weeks. Between 50 and 75% of Americans are allergic to
urushiol, and 10-15% are extremely allergic, to the point that they need
medical help if they touch the plant.
If you notice poison ivy oil on your skin, wash the affected area right
away with plenty of lukewarm water and soap. This will prevent the rash
from spreading. Taking allergy medication and applying hydrocortisone
cream or calamine lotion on the area can help the itching and reduce the
severity of the allergic reaction. If the rash is large, appears on the
face or genital area, or causes severe skin symptoms, difficulty
breathing, or a fever above 100°F (38°C), seek urgent medical help.
In light to moderate cases, it’s safe to treat a poison ivy rash at
home. But what can you do if you have no suitable medications on hand?
This is when home remedies come in - they help reduce your symptoms and
speed up the healing process. We list 6 such effective home remedies
below.
1. Save your banana peels, cucumber peels, and watermelon rinds
Rub the inside of a watermelon rind or
banana peel on the affected area to alleviate itching. These food scraps
have cooling properties when they make contact with the skin. Cucumber
slices or a paste made of mashed cucumbers have a similar cooling and
soothing effect on the skin.
2. Make a baking soda paste
A baking soda paste is one of the most well-known home remedies for a
poison ivy rash with blisters. The baking soda helps dry out the oozing
blisters and speeds up the healing process. To make the paste, mix 3
parts baking soda with 1 part water. Spread an even layer of the paste
to the bothersome area. Wait for the mixture to dry and flake off on its
own.
For oozing blisters, you can also soak a piece of sterile gauze in a mix
of 2 cups water (0.5 l) and 1 teaspoon baking soda, covering the
blisters with the wet gauze for 10 minutes every 8 hours. Avoid using
baking soda if your rash appears near the eyes.
3. Take a bath in lukewarm water and oatmeal
A simple practice like taking a bath or
even showering between 15 and 30 minutes in lukewarm water every 8 hours
can really help reduce the itching caused by a poison ivy rash. It’s
important to use lukewarm water because hot water can actually worsen
the symptoms. If you have some oatmeal at home, blend about a cup of
oatmeal flakes into a fine powder and add it to your bath.
According to a 2007 research article, an oatmeal bath can help soothe
redness, reduce itching, and dry leaky blisters caused by poison ivy.
Another effective anti-itch remedy for a bath involves baking soda. Add 1
cup of baking soda to your bath soak for 15-30 minutes.
4. Apply a cold compress - with ice, tea, or witch hazel
Anything cold helps reduce the sensations
of itching and pain on the skin. But in the case of poison ivy, cold
compressed also help reduce the rash. It also serves as a barrier that
won’t let you scratch the rash, which is super important because
scratching can cause infections and scars from blisters.
Simply use a cold gel pack like the one in the picture above or wrap
some ice in a towel and apply it to the area. Some people also swear by
covering the rash in a gauze pad soaked in cold strong-brewed tea or
witch hazel as a method of drying up and weeping rash and reducing
itching. Both witch hazel and tea contain tannins - compounds that
reduce swelling and inflammation.
5. Aloe vera
Aloe vera isn’t only beneficial for
sunburnt skin. The same soothing effect comes extremely handy for poison
ivy rashes, too. Aloe vera gel has cooling and anti-inflammatory
properties. Aloe gel is readily available at drugstores. But if you have
an aloe plant at home, simply cut off one leaf and squeeze out the
gelatinous substance inside. Apply aloe gel directly onto the affected
area, no need to wash it off.
6. Prevent spreading with rubbing alcohol
In most cases, we wouldn’t advise applying pure rubbing alcohol to the
skin, as it dissolves all oils on the skin, drying it out. A poison ivy
rash is an exception to that rule. Since the substance that causes the
rash - urushiol - is oily in nature, you can use rubbing alcohol to soak
it up before it penetrates the skin. Apply rubbing alcohol on the skin
immediately after contact with poison ivy and use it to disinfect
camping gear, clothing, or any other items that came in contact with the
plant.
Some people also recommend using apple cider vinegar (ACV) on a fresh
poison ivy rash, but many dermatologists actually advise against this
practice, as the acidity level of the vinegar is high enough to cause
chemical burns and irritation if used directly on the already
compromised skin affected by the poison ivy rash. If you want to use ACV
to treat poison ivy, put a tiny drop of it on a small skin area to test
for any adverse skin reactions first. We hope you found this
information helpful. Take care!