Poison ivy and oak are toxic plants. Research conducted by the American Academy of Dermatology shows that nearly 85% of people are sensitive to an allergic reaction in contact with poison ivy and oak (1).
An oily toxin- Urushiol is the main substance in these plants that triggers an allergic reaction or contact dermatitis. (2)
Following are the ways of exposure to urushiol:
- Direct contact with poison ivy and oak. Urushiol is present in every part of the plants. So, direct contact with the plants may expose you to the toxin.
- Urushiol is very sticky and persistent. It isn’t easy to detect it because it’s colorless and odorless. However, if these have contacted the plants, you may pick up the toxin from your gardening tools and pets’ fur.
- If you burn the plants, the smoke may cause serious lungs allergy. (3)
Within the first 12 to 72 hours of exposure to the toxin, you may develop an intolerable itch, red bumps or rashes, and swelling in the affected area.
This contact dermatitis may persist for 2 to 3 weeks. However, the situation may turn worse if you leave it untreated. You may experience severe itch and enlarged blisters on the skin full of puss.
An over-the-counter corticosteroid medication to lower the symptoms of poison ivy and oak is costly. Moreover, it comes with the backlash of side effects. (4)
In this article, you’ll learn some home remedies for poison ivy, oak rashes, and blisters. You’ll also get tips to prevent contact with these poisonous plants.
Effective Natural Remedies for Poison Ivy and Oak Rash
1. Dish Soap and Cold Water
Prevention is the best remedy. If you doubt poison ivy and oak exposure, the first step is to run for cool water. Research shows that only a billionth gram of urushiol can set off the itch and rashes. Your skin absorbs 50% of the toxin in less than ten minutes. (5)
When the dendritic cells of the skin transfer the toxin to the lymph nodes, the t-cells in the blood start to destroy the healthy cells of the affected area. However, a timely, thorough shower in cool running water can wash off the toxin significantly.
Using a dishwashing soap can be extra beneficial. Detergent has grease-cutting agents. In addition, the offending urushiol is an oily toxin. So, washing your affected skin with dish soap is advised.
If the urushiol has already started its havoc, a cool water shower can give comfort and ease to the rashes.
Note: Note to wear gloves when you wash the affected area. It is advisable to take a wash every time you come back from a walk in the garden.
Related: 7 Oxygenated Water Benefits That’ll Surprise You!
2. Jewelweed
Did you know the remedy for poison ivy rash is in your backyard?
Jewelweed is a therapeutic plant of Impatiens capensis family. It has oval, almost trumpet-shaped leaves. This savior plant in your backyard is nature’s antidote to poison ivy and oak blisters. Jewelweed has chemical compounds that can counteract your body’s offending urushiol and allergic reaction. (6)
How to use jewelweed to relieve poison ivy rashes:
- Take some jewelweed leaves and the tender stems
- Crush them and release the juice
- Apply the herbal juice to the affected skin
- The Sooner you do this, less the risk of allergic reaction and developing rash
Note: You can find a shady little space in your garden to grow a few jewelweeds. It can help you with preventing ringworm and wart as well.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar, or ACV, is a ‘cure-all’ home remedy. ACV is fermented apple juice mixed with acetic acid. The alcohol content of the vinegar works ideally to ease the itching and heal poison ivy and oak blisters gradually. (7)
If you have a stock of ACV in your kitchen, try this process right away.
How to use ACV for treating poison ivy rashes and blisters:
- Dilute ½ cup of ACV with cool water
- Bathe your affected skin with the solution
- Let it air dry
- Wash off with normal water
- Repeat the process twice a day for a week
Note: Always use raw or ‘mother’ ACV for the best result.
Related: Apple Cider Vinegar for Mole Removal: DIY Recipe & Application Tips
4. Lemon Juice and Honey
Lemon juice and honey are two easy-to-reach kitchen ingredients. Both of these are power packs for good health. Along with vitamin C and many other nutrients, lemon has astringent. (8)
This property is potent in healing skin disorders. Particularly it can reduce the size of blisters and ease the irritations.
Honey is hygroscopic. It means honey can absorb moisture or liquid from any surface. That’s why honey can suck in the moisture from the poison ivy blisters and dry them off. (9)
A power combo of lemon and honey can speed up the healing process of poison ivy rash.
How to soothe poison ivy rashes using lemon and honey:
- Add 4 tbsp. Of lemon juice to 2 tbsp. Of honey and mix them well
- Dab a cotton swab on the mixture and apply it to the affected skin
- Let it stay on the skin for 20 minutes
- Wash off with cool water
- Repeat the process twice a day for a week.
Related: How to Use Apple Juice for Constipation Relief
5. Baking Soda
Sodium bicarbonate or baking soda is a super ingredient for baking cakes and cleaning households. But, you’ll be surprised to know that it is one of the best home remedies for poison ivy rashes.
You can dust your skin with baking soda to eliminate urushiol oil residues. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, a baking soda bath can significantly ease the irritations of poison ivy rash and reduce inflammations. (10)
Moreover, a baking soda paste can dehydrate the swellings and reduce their size.
Below you have two methods of baking soda remedy for poison ivy rash:
Baking Soda Paste to relieve poison ivy itch and rashes:
- Add some cold water to 2 tbsp. of baking soda and mix them well
- Apply the paste to the rashes like a layer
- Let it dry on the skin
- Repeat the process daily until the blisters dry off
Note: For broken blisters, soak sterile gauze on the paste and lay it over the affected area as a bandage. Change the gauze every time you repeat the process.
Baking soda bath for poison ivy rash treatment:
- Mix a cup of baking soda with your bath water
- Take a thorough shower with the solution
- Repeat this process if the rash is widespread in your body
Related: Baking Soda for Constipation Relief: 4 Enema or Laxative Recipes
6. Oatmeal Bath
Oatmeal is full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties to treat skin disorders. An oatmeal bath can be one of the simplest home remedies for rash. In addition, the starch of oats meal can create a protective film or powdery coat over your skin.
This can help the blisters to dehydrate and dry off soon. In addition, it eases the irritations and lessens your urge to scratch the rashes.
Oatmeal bath for poison ivy rash natural remedy:
- On a tub, add a cup of oatmeal to lukewarm bath water
- Completely immerse yourself in the water for 30 minutes
- Let your body air dry
- No further wash is necessary
7. Cucumbers
This cool veggie can bring immediate comfort to your poison ivy rash. Cucumber is effective in relieving the itch as well.
How to use cucumber for poison ivy and oak rashes :
- Blend cucumber and make a paste
- Apply them to the rash as a layer
- Let it sit on and penetrate the skin for 20 minutes
- Wash off with cool water
- Repeat the process twice a day
Note: You can safely apply cucumber to any sensitive part of the body. It’s good to blend cucumbers unpeeled.
Related: 12 Benefits of Cucumber Water and How to Make It
8. Watermelon
Watermelon is cooling to the body, plus its pulp has phytochemicals (11). This makes watermelon enriched with anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Watermelon pulp or rind can be an effective home remedy for poison ivy rash.
Home remedy for poison ivy blisters using watermelon:
- Using a knife, cut out the white portion of the rind
- Blend them well and make a paste
- Apply the moist paste to your rashes
- Let it cool down your rashes and ease your irritation
Related: 7 Amazing Ways Watermelon Seed Tea Benefits Your Health
9. Aloe Vera
From sunburn to dandruff, Aloe Vera heals it all. It is a popular ingredient in the health care industry because of its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Aloe Vera gel can work wonders for poison ivy rash as well. It can bring immediate relief to the irritation and reduce inflammations.
Aloe vera is a natural cure to soothe poison ivy rashes:
- Slit open the leaf and extract the gel using a spoon
- Apply the gel to your rashes
- Leave it on the affected area so long it comforts you
- Repeat the process thrice a day
Note: You can chill the gel by keeping it in a refrigerator for some time.
Related: Aloe Vera for Scars Removal: Reduce Acne Scars, Burn Scars Naturally
10. Goldenseal
Goldenseal or oregano root is a great home remedy for all digestive disorders and flu. Its chemical component, berberine, is anti-inflammatory and can effectively bring down poison ivy rashes and blisters. (12)
How to use goldenseal for poison ivy rashes:
- Boil a tbsp. Of goldenseal powder for 10 minutes
- Remove the goldenseal tincture from the heat and let it cool down
- Soak a cotton swab with the tincture and apply it to the rashes
- Please keep it on the affected skin for 20 minutes
- Repeat the process twice daily
11. Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is a time-tested medicinal plant full of antioxidants and astringent. It can effectively treat skin problems like; acne, sores, blisters, and even skin cancer. Today you can buy witch hazel extract in the pharmacy.
Topical use of witch hazel extract can help you soothe poison ivy rashes and reduce inflammations. Follow the recommendation on the label. (13)
Related: 12 Health Benefits of Witch Hazel That You Should Know About
12. Himalayan Salt
The aesthetic-looking pink Himalayan sea salt is more than what meets the eye. It has an extensive list of therapeutic benefits. There are over 84 minerals along with calcium, potassium, iron, and magnesium (14). For centuries people have used it for different home remedies. For example, the antihistaminic and sulfur nature of Himalayan Salt makes it a potent remedy for poison ivy rash.
Process 1: Himalayan Salt Spray
You’ll need:
- Himalayan salt 1 teaspoon
- Cold water
- Spray bottle
Directions:
- Add the Salt to the water and mix them well
- Pour the solution into a spray bottle
- Spray the solution on your rashes
- Allow it to air dry on your affected skin
- Repeat the process several times a day
Process 2: Himalayan Salt Bath
You’ll need:
- Himalayan salt 1-2 cup
- Warm water
Directions:
- Mix the Salt into your warm bath water
- saturate yourself fully with the solution
- Let it stay on your body for 15 minutes
- Gently tap dry with a towel
- Repeat this soothing process every night before you hit the bed
13. Epsom Salt
Epsom salt is pure magnesium sulfate. The popular mineral compound has numerous uses and therapeutic benefits. Epsom salt bath is an effective solution for aches, pain, muscle spasms, sunburn, etc.
Clinical research suggests that Epsom salt may temporarily relieve the itchiness and swelling of poison ivy rashes. An Epsom salt bath can drain the moisture locked inside the poison ivy rashes and quicken the healing process. [15]
How to use Epsom salt for poison ivy rashes:
Dissolve 2 cups of Epsom salt in your bathtub water. Soak the solution for 12-15 minutes to soothe the itching and rashes.
Tips to Avoid Poison Ivy and Oak Rash
Recognize the notorious plants: it is your first precaution. Detect and avoid the toxin plants being out of contaminated with urushiol. You can identify the plants with clusters of three hairy leaflets with smooth edges. These can be either shrubs or vines based on where they grow. According to the season, they can vary in their color as well.
Wear protective clothes: you may have to pay the price for ‘exposing your skin’ in your backyard. Wear long and covering clothes to shield yourself from toxic plant contact. Also, make sure to wear gloves when you are working in the garden.
Wash, wash and wash: every time you have a leisurely walk in your garden, make sure to wash upon return. Rinse your clothes and gardening tools. The creepy toxin can stick to your pets’ fur as well. Shower her regularly.
Get rid of poison ivy and oak from your garden: never even think of burning the plants. The smoke can cause serious problems in the lungs. Call professionals to remove the treacherous plants from your garden.
When to Visit a Doctor
If the home remedies don’t improve the condition of the rashes and itch, you should visit a doctor immediately. The following conditions may need you to make a doctor’s appointment:
- Poison ivy rashes have spread to a large area of the skin
- The condition of the itch and rashes is severe
- Swelling all over the body
- Troubled breathing due to inhalation of poison ivy smoke
- Poison ivy blisters are leaking fluids
- You got rashes on the eyes, genitals, and face area
- Your skin continues to swell
- High fever
Bottom Line
To avoid bad rashes and allergic reactions to poison and ivy, the good rule is to recognize and avoid the plants.
If you have already suffered an allergic reaction to the toxin, the above-discussed home remedies may come to your rescue.
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