Home Remedies for Poison Ivy

Poison ivy, or the poison oak plant has an ability to produce urushiol, a skin irritant that causes skin rashes in people. It is a colorless or pale yellow oil found in the sap of poison ivy which when exposed to air changes to a brown blackish color. Whether you directly touch the sap of poison ivy or indirectly contact to the sap by touching something on which the urushiol is present, it can cause severe skin itching and blisters. People who are young and fair are more susceptible to it. The severity of the reaction depends on the patient's sensitivity, degree of exposure, and the body parts exposed.

Poison Ivy Symptoms
Usually 24 to 48 hours after exposure, the patient may experience skin irritation signs like redness, blistering and severe itching. The most common symptoms of poison ivy include reddish inflamed skin having red pimples or blister-like bumps, burning of the affected area, and sometimes even a fever. Though the symptoms may take 1 or 2 weeks to appear and are non-contagious, they are highly irritating. A person is more likely to get poison ivy on the hands, arms, legs, face, feet, and sometimes on other body parts like the stomach and back.

Home Remedies for Poison Ivy Rash
The first step in poison ivy rash treatment is to place the infected area under running water, as this will wash away the histamines that cause skin itching. Though calamine lotion is said to be one of the best cure for poison ivy, it leaves a pink residue on the skin which can get transferred to your clothing, bedding and furniture. Hence, following are some simple home remedies for killing poison ivy and calming down the itchy rashes caused by poison ivy.

• If you are affected by poison ivy, never use warm or hot water to wash or bathe, as the plant secretes oil that spreads and disperses in warm water. Therefore, always wash or bathe with cold water so that it doesn't disperse and infect other areas.
• As we know, there are many kitchen products known to dissolve grease and oil. Hence, these products like dishwashing detergent or Fels-Naptha soap can be used on the area and then rinsed with cold water.
• Mix equal quantities of buttermilk, vinegar and salt and rub onto the rash. It might be painful initially but after some time it will bring relief.
• A paste of baking soda and water spread on the rash also works well for curing poison ivy rash.
• Vitamin C along with bioflavonoids help in preventing infection, spreading of the rash, and in curing inflammation.
• Intake of calcium, beta-carotene and zinc helps to boost the body's immune system, speeds up healing, and repairs damaged skin tissues.
• A mixture of ¼ cup of bleach with ¾ cup of warm water applied to the affected area using a washcloth can kill the poison within 2 to 3 days.
• One natural remedy of poison ivy is to apply the sap of jewel weed which is present in the thick stems of the tall and lanky plant. You can also make a solution by putting a handful of the plant material in water. Bring it to boil and simmer to 15 to 20 minutes. Allow it to cool, then strain and apply the liquid to the infected area.
• Soaking 3 cups of oats in water and applying to the affected area also helps in relieving itching due to poison ivy.

Rubbing alcohol, aloe gel, white or apple cider vinegar, honey and banana peel on the affected area are some other effective home remedies for poison ivy. Arnica, apis, bryonia are some homeopathic remedies for poison ivy which can be applied when the skin is hot, pale and dry. But if you get poison ivy on the face or genital areas, it is always recommended to consult a doctor and then take the necessary treatment.