How to Treat Poison Ivy

Poison ivy is found all over the United States - especially east of the Rockies - and in Canada. The symptoms of contact dermatitis, the itchy rash that results from the skin's exposure to poison ivy, take at least three weeks to completely disappear. Follow these steps to make yourself a little more comfortable.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Epsom salts
• Poison Oak-ivy Soap
• Calamine Lotions
• Baking Soda

1. Immediately wash everything that might have touched the plant. You may be able to remove the offending oil completely or at least reduce the impending rash.

2. Soothe itching with cool, wet compresses.

3. Add approximately 5 c. ground oatmeal or baking soda to a cool bath and soak for 15 to 30 minutes.

4. Add baking soda or Epsom salts to your bath, or make a paste of either of these and apply it to the rash.

5. Opt for lotions containing calamine, alcohol and zinc acetate; these will dry the blisters and help speed healing.

6. Leave the rash open to air. That will help it heal.

7. Talk to your doctor about taking an oral antihistamine if you are extremely uncomfortable or if the rash is covering a large area of your body.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid topical antihistamines; they are not as effective as oral ones and can cause a rash of their own in some people.
• Wash all clothing, tools and anything else that came in contact with the plant. The oil can remain active for a long time on inanimate objects.
• Avoid breaking the rash blisters, which can cause them to become infected.
• If symptoms persist or if you have specific medical conditions or concerns, we recommend you contact a physician. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

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[gtsigaridis]

on 6/12/2009 The best way not to have problems with poison ivy is to have a goat and let the goat take care of it. Poison ivy to goats is like candy they will eat it until the plant is all gone. You can train your goat to walk with you and go hiking (still working on that, but have seen people that have done it) and they will find the poison ivy and stop for lunch LOL

[grimsleygl]

on 5/10/2009 I'm on a hunt! Going to find out how to get rid of this antagonizing itching and fast spreading poison ivy on my body. Thanks for the article! So far oatmeal seems quite popular as a remedy. 5*'s

[tonygonw]

on 10/4/2007 The best cure for poison ivy that I have found yet (I have tried them all) is Melaleuca oil(tea tree oil), you dont have to break the infected spot, you can use MelaGel or Melaleuca's T36-C5, just apply to infected spot as soon as you notice the break out, itching and all can be reduced within 24 hours with just one application.

on 8/23/2006 The only thing that has worked for me, in dealing with both the intense itching and especially the oozing of blisters caused by poison ivy, is a paste made of water and baking soda. None of the lotions or other potions I tried came near to the comfort and drying out effects of baking soda. It probably also works as a mild antiseptic as well. Only minor inconvenience is that as the powder flakes off, you might find yourself leaving trails of the stuff around the house, or in your computer keys.

On the other hand, since baking soda is a nontoxic cleaning solution, it's all to the good to have particles of it left in your bedsheets before they go into the wash, for example, rather than calamine lotion stains.

on 8/8/2006 Try to take a cold shower, as cold as you're comfortable with. Hot water will make the rash ooze and spread. You're better off sticking with oatmeal baths until the rash is gone.