What Is Poison Ivy:
Poison ivy is basically a skin rash condition caused by contact with a plant called poison oak or sometimes poison ivy. People who go camping and do other outdoor activities often develop a rash due to contact with the plant. So we can say that mainly outdoor enthusiast faces the problem. The allergy is caused by the toxic oil which penetrates the skin. Mainly the cases of poison ivy are in spring and summer, but they are even reported during winter. The rash takes 12 to 48 hours for exposure on the skin and to react. It appears in the form of small bumps and then enlarges with the passage of time. They are often irritated due to the allergy are the face, genitals, legs hands and arms.
So let’s discuss the home remedies which can help a person to calm down the poison ivy irritation or soothe it. The reason is the person if on a camp is likely to use such measures before going or visiting a doctor. Below we have given a list of the best natural home remedies for poison ivy which are very simple to follow.
Natural and Best Home Remedies For Poison Ivy:
Here are our 25 easy and best home remedies for poison ivy. Let’s have a look at them.
1. Cucumber:
Cucumbers may help to ease the pain and irritation. What you can do is either put a slice of cucumber on the affected area or one can even mash the entire cucumber and then put it over the affected area. Both work while the latter is more effective.
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2. Banana Peel:
It’s an age-old measure to deal with problems of poison ivy. Rub the inside of the banana on the affected area. This can provide relief because of the cooling properties of this fruit. Banana peel is one of the best natural home remedies for poison ivy treatment.
3. Baking Soda Can Help In The Recovery From Poison Ivy:
As this powder is very alkaline in nature it can pull out all the toxins of the plant to the surface. All you need to do is apply a paste of baking soda with water. The rashes which are with blisters can be treated with the use of baking soda. Prepare a paste by mixing 3 teaspoons of soda with one of water. Apply it over the affected area and let it dry. It provides a lot of relief. Baking soda can even be used on pimples. One can even take a bath with baking soda powder mixed with water.
4. Oatmeal Magic:
Grind one cup of oatmeal in a mixer grinder till it becomes a fine powder. Put this mixture into your bathtub filled with water and soak your body inside it for some time. It will provide ease and get rid of the irritation to some extent.
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5. Aloe Vera Is A Magic Wand:
Aloe vera does its magic here as well. It helps in beating the burn that is caused due to the allergy. The aloe vera gel can be freshly taken out from the aloe vera leaf and applied or you can do is purchase a gel from the market and apply it to your skin. It will provide you with relief for sure.
6. Apple Cider Vinegar:
It is a very powerful home remedy for poison ivy. What you can do is take a brown paper bag and soak it in a solution of apple cider vinegar and then apply it to the skin. It will squeeze out all the toxins from the skin.
7. Rubbing Alcohol:
It prevents the rash from spreading to other parts of the body. One who regularly goes outdoor camping and all should carry rubbing alcohol with them as it is a great remedy. Apply it to the affected area.
8. Lemon Juice For Poison Ivy Rash:
The acid in lemon juice eliminates the oil. Lemon juice is a natural astringent. Apply it to the place of contact as it takes out the oil from the skin. It is the perfect home remedy for poison ivy rashes.
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9. Running Water:
It soothes the body. So wherever you have got the rash just put that part under running water for some time as it may help.
10. Himalayan Crystal Salt:
Himalayan crystal salt added to a bowl of water can be your elixir during a poison ivy rash attack. The sodium not only prevents the further proliferation of the rash but also helps in drying out the rashes to ensure steady recovery from the painful blisters. You can avail of this at any nearby drug store in its finely powdered form.
11. Fuller’s Earth:
Fuller’s earth or as we call it Multani mitti is a natural mud pack for the skin that tends to minor issues such as acne breakouts or skin tan patches or even oil patch removals from your skin. the oil from the poison ivy plant needs to be soaked clean to ensure further treatment of the blisters. This is why fuller’s earth, finely ground can be made into a paste with sandalwood and water and applied to the affected areas. This is a good poison ivy treatment that would cool the area down and soak the oils from the rashes.
12. Milk For Poison Ivy:
Milk in its chilled form can be soaked into a soft muslin cloth and can be applied to the burning pain sensation areas. It contains lactic acid apart from being the carrier of many minerals and good bacteria. Milk on the rashes or blisters would cool the temperature preventing the redness and swelling to continue while the lactic acid will soak up the oil and dirt and prevent possibilities of itchiness.
13. Watermelon Rind:
Munch on a watermelon slice and once you hit the rock bottom use the rind as an applicator to your rash and blister. The watermelon is a summertime fruit that cools down your system and in this home remedy for poison ivy, we apply the same cooling trick to calm down your rashes and prevent further spreading.
14. Neem Leaf To Get Rid Of Poison Ivy:
Neem is a medicinal herbal plant that is often extensively used both as a dish to eat and an ointment for minor skin problems. In case of cuts, rashes, slashes and acne, the neem plant acts like a catalyst as this bitter-tasting medicinal plant works on the blisters and dries and cures them. Make a paste of neem with water and apply it to the affected area.
15. Lacto Calamine Lotion:
Lacto calamine is a solution in bright pink, a common skincare remedy that most of us have stored in our houses. If not you can always purchase it from a nearby cosmetic shop. This can be used as a normal body lotion. Apply it to the affected places and gently rub it. Not only does it have a cooling effect but also skin healing properties.
16. Epsom Salt:
Once again we shall use the goodness of sodium to uplift the stubborn oil from the poison ivy plant which is the main cause of rash and blister proliferation in your skin. Epsom salt is good for your skin and can clear out minor rash problems. Make a thick paste with water and apply it to the affected areas. It’ll soak up the oils and dry out the rashes.
17. Black Vinegar:
Home remedies for poison ivy include black vinegar to be put to the correct use. Vinegar in its acidic form is a good relief for rashes as it will ensure the oils from the plant are dried and soaked up. With the blisters drying out, speedy recovery of your skin condition can be assured.
18. Herbal Oils:
The oil from the poison ivy plant causes the spread of blisters and rashes. This is when you can replace the poisonous oil with some herbal oil care that would use the germ-killing properties of the herbs to eliminate the poison from the oil whilst moistening and softening the blisters to reduce paining and swelling or redness. This however should be done after the poisonous oils are soaked out of the blister.
19. Ice Pack:
An ice pack or cold ice compress can be used to cool down the area in and around the rash and this is why it can be used to create a diversion from the pain and swelling. The ice would keep the area cool while allowing the blisters to dry up as it soaks or clears out the oil from the affected area.
20. Tea Bag Cures Poison Ivy Rash:
Tea bags can be used for the treatment of poison ivy. Leaves of the tea tree contain tannin which is good for treating open rashes and blisters. This is why warm up the water a bit and soak the tea bag for a minute or two. Once the tea bag is wet apply it to the affected areas. You can also use normal black tea leaves to do the same with a muslin cloth.
21. Talcum Powder:
Talcum powder finds its way into the cure for poison ivy as the powder has the ability to soak up the oils and keep the area dry and clean. However, it is always advisable that you opt for a medicinal or baby powder that lacks much fragrance or colour. This way the rashes and blisters won’t react.
22. Coffee In Cold:
Cold coffee is also used as a home cure for poison ivy. Coffee much like tea has tannin in them which can be used to treat the rash and blisters. Soak the cotton ball in cold coffee and apply it to the affected places.
23. Witch Hazel:
Witch hazel mixed with a little spirit or alcohol can be made into a mixture which on the application on the affected areas can cause the blisters to dry up.
24. Coconut Water:
Coconut water is also referred to as a summer drink that is enriched in nutrients and helps you cool down. Use coconut water on your blisters which would cool the area down and reduce redness while the nutritious water can heal the rashes.
25. Organic Goldenseal Removes Poison Ivy:
Goldenseal roots in powdered form can be mixed into a solution with water and then added to create a concoction that would allow the blister to dry up and heal.
Apart from home remedies, poison ivy can be avoided if taken with proper care. One should always have full sleeves at around this time. On touching, the first thing to do is quickly rinse out the oil maybe even use a little soap to clear out the dirt. Poison ivy is home treatable. These simple yet useful home remedies may help you in getting rid of the pain and irritation.
