• Home Remedies Index
  • Feedback
  • Subscribe
Top 10 Home Remedies
No Result
View All Result
Advertisements
Top 10 Home Remedies
No Result
View All Result

Home » Home Remedies

Home Remedies for Poison Ivy

by Top10HomeRemedies Team
February 22, 2019
3

Many enjoyable nature outings have sent people home with a rather unpleasant souvenir. Some 10 to 50 million people in the United States are affected by poison ivy each year. In fact, this poisonous plant constitutes the single most common cause of allergic reactions.

When you come in contact with the toxic leaves, stems, or roots of a poison ivy plant, it can give you an unbearable itchy rash.

Other common symptoms include blisters and pain, and occasionally there may be intense burning, inflammation, and fever. You must try hard not to itch the rash as it can irritate the reacting skin and potentially lead to infection. It’s also important to keep the affected areas clean.

A poison ivy rash will eventually go away on its own, but the itching can drive a person absolutely mad. There are several home remedies that effectively alleviate the various symptoms of poison ivy.

Advertisements

home remedies for poison ivyHere are the top 10 home remedies for poison ivy.

Contents

  • 1. Rubbing Alcohol
  • 2. Banana Peel
  • 3. Oatmeal
  • 4. White Vinegar
  • 5. Baking Soda
  • 6. Watermelon
  • 7. Aloe Vera
  • 8. Acorns
  • 9. Buttermilk
  • 10. Cold Water

1. Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol is a solvent containing 70 percent isopropyl or absolute alcohol and is used as a topical application. It has disinfectant, soothing and cooling properties that can help get rid of the symptoms of poison ivy. It also sterilizes the affected skin and helps prevent infection.

  1. Spread rubbing alcohol over the affected area and wrap it with gauze.
  2. Do this several times a day for two to three days.

If you apply rubbing alcohol immediately after coming in contact with the poisonous plant, it can help slow down and minimize the extent of the rash as well as your discomfort.

2. Banana Peel

Banana peel can also come to your rescue due to its soothing and cooling properties. This remedy is very helpful if you have blisters that have broken open.

  1. Peel the skin off a ripe banana.
  2. Rub the inside of the peel on the irritated skin area for instant cooling relief.
  3. Repeat the process two or three times a day.

3. Oatmeal

The avenanthramides and phenols present in oatmeal contain anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce inflammation caused by the skin’s reaction to urushiol, the substance in the poison ivy plant that irritates the skin.

  • Boil oatmeal in water, allow it to cool for a few minutes, and then apply it to the affected area while it is still warm. Let it dry on its own and then wash it off with lukewarm water. This simple remedy will give you relief from itching.
  • Alternatively, add a few tablespoons of oatmeal powder to warm bath water and soak the affected skin area in the water for about 30 minutes. This helps dry out a rash that has started to blister, and also relieves the itching. It will also soften and moisturize your skin, which helps lock in moisture and protect skin from exterior irritants.

4. White Vinegar

White vinegar’s acid content can help prevent a poison ivy rash from spreading. A cold vinegar compress will dry out the rash as well as reduce itching.

Advertisements
  1. Mix one-half cup of white vinegar with one and one-half cups of water. Chill the solution in the refrigerator for a couple of hours.
  2. Moisten a cloth in the solution and press it onto the affected skin area for two minutes. Wait a few minutes and then repeat.
  3. Do this for several minutes once daily for a week or two.

5. Baking Soda

Another classic homemade cure for poison ivy is baking soda. Baking soda is a good drying agent and has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce the itching and inflammation associated with poison ivy.

  • Mix three teaspoons of baking soda with one teaspoon of water to make a thick paste. Apply this paste to the rash and allow it to dry. Then rinse it off with cold water. Do this three times daily to speed up the healing process.
  • Another option is to take a soothing baking soda bath. Simply pour a cup of baking soda into lukewarm bathwater and stir it gently. Soak in the bath to relieve your symptoms.

6. Watermelon

Watermelon rind acts as a cold compress, and the juice helps dry out blisters.

  • Gently rub chilled watermelon rind over the rash. Let it dry on its own. Do this three or four times a day until you notice improvement.
  • Alternatively, mash some watermelon along with the rind and chill it in the refrigerator for one hour. Apply the paste to the skin and let it dry naturally for soothing relief. Do this several times a day.

7. Aloe Vera

aloe vera

Aloe vera’s anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties can help reduce poison ivy symptoms. Simply slice a leaf of a fresh aloe vera plant, extract the gel and apply it to the affected areas several times a day. This will give you instant relief from pain and itching.

If you do not have an aloe vera plant at home, you can buy a bottle of the gel from the store. Make sure it is at least 90 percent real aloe vera.

Advertisements

8. Acorns

acorns

Acorns have antiviral and antiseptic properties that can be used to treat skin rashes and irritations, minor burns, cuts and abrasions as well as poison ivy.

  1. Boil some fresh cracked acorns in water for several minutes. Strain out the nuts and allow the tannic water to cool.
  2. Dip a cotton ball in the solution and apply it on your rash.
  3. Do this two or three times a day.

Note: You can also freeze the tannic water in ice cube trays and use the cubes as cold compresses on the affected area.

9. Buttermilk

buttermilk

The high protein content in buttermilk will help draw out fluid from blisters. It also has soothing properties that will give you relief from itching.

Advertisements
  • Mix equal parts of buttermilk, vinegar and salt. Rub this mixture on the affected skin area. Although it is a little painful, this remedy will help dry up the rash quickly. Also, it will help stop itching and soothe the skin.
  • Alternatively, you can add some buttermilk to warm water and then use it to wash the affected skin area. This can be very soothing on itchy skin. Do this once daily.

10. Cold Water

running water

Using cold compresses immediately after coming in contact with the poisonous plant can help minimize the size and severity of the developing rash. They also will reduce itchiness.

  • Simply dip a cotton ball in very cold water, dab it on the affected area, and let it air dry. Repeat as needed.
  • You can also wrap some ice cubes or a bag of frozen vegetables in a towel and apply it to the affected area for a few hours. Repeat again after two hours. Never apply ice directly on your skin.
  • You can also keep the affected area under cold running water for 10 to 15 minutes.

Try these remedies at home to get relief. But if you are in extreme discomfort, or you develop blisters along with swelling or redness on the affected skin area, seek medical attention.

Advertisements

Comments 3

  1. krishnan raman says:
    7 years ago

    i like

  2. Susan says:
    6 years ago

    Plain old vinegar removes the itch from poison ivy.

  3. Susan Pearson says:
    5 years ago

    Jewelweed used as a compress will naturally rid poison ivy. You may also use the tea from this plant and mix into either hand soap or a lotion.

Recommended

face tingling treatment
Home Remedies

Facial Tingling: Causes, Diagnosis, Natural Treatment

by Mahesh Karandikar, MD - Neurosurgeon
July 11, 2019
0

A sudden tingling sensation overtaking your hands, feet, or face is a fairly common complaint reported by people in the...

Read more
Advertisements
how to sterilize baby bottles
Healthy Living

How to Sterilize Baby Bottles: 5 Safe Methods

by Karen M. Walker, MD, FAAP
April 1, 2019
0

The best way for a new mother to establish a nurturing bond with her baby is through breastfeeding. But sooner...

Read more
Advertisements

Homemade

DIY Homemade shaving cream for smooth shaving
DIY Homemade

DIY Homemade Shaving Cream for Smooth Shaving

by Top10HomeRemedies Team
January 29, 2019
2

Shaving is a part of both men and women’s beauty routines. To make shaving easy and smooth, there are countless...

Read more
Oatmeal Mask for Eczema

Easy Homemade DIY Oatmeal Mask for Eczema

November 10, 2018
Advertisements

Trending

mediterranean diet benefits
Healthy Living

Mediterranean Diet 101: Benefits, Drawbacks, Myths and More

by Miriam Christie, MS, RD, LD, ABD
August 21, 2019
0

The Mediterranean diet emerges from the kind of foods eaten in countries situated along the Mediterranean Sea. These include France,...

Read more
Neem Oil for hair and skin
Healthy Living

Neem Oil for Hair and Skin: 9 Benefits and How to Use It

by Robert Signore, DO - Dermatologist
July 2, 2019
0

Neem is often referred to as Indian lilac as it is endemic to the Indian subcontinent, but its medicinal virtues...

Read more
Advertisements

Don't Miss

consume aloe vera

Different Ways to Consume Aloe Vera for its Health Benefits

by Holly Klamer, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
July 8, 2019
0

Gone are the days when aloe vera was just a potted plant sitting on your windowsill, jazzing up your home...

honeydew melon for health

Honeydew Melon: Origins, Nutritional Value and Health Benefits

by Holly Klamer, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
July 8, 2019
0

Honeydew melon makes for a sweet-tasting and refreshing treat that can take the sting out of the sweltering summer heat....

fava beans for health

Fava Beans: Nutritional Value, Recipes and Health Benefits

by Holly Klamer, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
July 8, 2019
0

The fava bean, alternatively known as broad bean, is a large, flat, green leguminous vegetable. The earliest record of its...

Apple cider vinegar benefits for women

Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits for Women

by Top10HomeRemedies Team
March 28, 2019
12

Apple cider vinegar is used in a whole gamut of home remedies that offer something for everyone. Along with curing...

Advertisements
how to control hair loss
Common Conditions

How to Control Hair Fall

by Top10HomeRemedies Team
August 5, 2019
2

Long, luscious hair is a desire of many! But it seems very few people are lucky enough to have a...

Read more
Advertisements

All the tips mentioned here are strictly informational. This site does not provide medical advice. Consult with your doctor or other health care provider before using any of these tips or treatments. Read more.

 

Categories: Home Remedies | Kitchen Ingredients | Healthy Living | Pets | Common Conditions | Pregnancy | Healthy Foods

 

  • Contact
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Subscribe
  • Terms and Conditions of Use
  • Unsubscribe

© 2018 Top 10 Home Remedies

No Result
View All Result
  • Home Remedies
  • Kitchen Ingredients
  • DIY Homemade
  • Healthy Foods
  • Healthy Living
  • Pregnancy

© 2018 Top 10 Home Remedies