How to treat Poison Ivy with Home Remedies

Millions of people across the United States are allergic to the urushiol oil found in Poison Ivy Leaves. Here are several home remedies to help relieve the pain and itch associated with poison ivy.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dishwashing Liquid
• Cool Water
• Oatmeal
• Baking Soda
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Rubbing Alcohol
• Aloe Vera Gel

1. DISH LIQUID: Once skin comes in contact with Poison Ivy, immediately wash the area with a grease-cutting dish washing liquid (like Dawn) and plenty of COOL water. Rinse several times with cool water and pat dry. The dish liquid helps to break up and wash away the oil.

2. OATMEAL: Boil the oatmeal in water and let it cool for a few minutes. Stir in two Tablespoons of Baking Soda. Mix until a thick paste forms. Apply the warm (not hot) oatmeal to the affected area. Completely cover in a thick layer. Allow the oatmeal mixture to dry and harden. Once dry, gently rinse the oatmeal off with cool water. Pat dry with a soft cloth. This will relieve itching and help dry the rash.

3. BAKING SODA: Mix three teaspoons of baking soda with 1 teaspoon of water until thick. Apply the baking soda paste to the rash and allow it to dry. Once dry, gently rinse the paste off with cool water. Pat dry with a soft cloth. This will relieve itching and help dry the rash.

4. ALOE VERA: Apply aloe vera gel to the affected areas to help relieve itching. It also helps the rash to heal.

5. RUBBING ALCOHOL: Dab the affected area with a cotton ball saturated with rubbing alcohol. The alcohol will help stop the itching and dry up the blisters. Apply several times a day.

6. APPLE CIDER VINEGAR: Dab the affected area with a cotton ball saturated with Apple Cider Vinegar. It will relieve the itchy red rash caused by Poison Ivy.

7. ORAL ANTIHISTAMINES: Oral antihistamines, such as Benadryl, help relieve the itch.

8. PETS: If your pet has gotten into a patch of poison ivy, give them a warm bath with a grease-cutting soap immediately after contact. Your pets can't get poison ivy, but you can! The oil will remain on their fur and can be transferred to your skin causing the itchy, red, oozing rash.

Tips & Warnings

• All articles of clothing, including shoes, that have come into contact with poison ivy should be washed with soap and hot water immediately to remove the poison ivy oil. Be careful when undressing. Clothing which has come in contact with poison ivy should not come in contact with the skin. The oil can be transferred from clothing to skin. Wash items immediately in a separate load.
• There are several different strains of poison ivy. Need help to identify poison ivy? Check out www.poison-ivy.org
• If you have a very severe reaction to Poison Ivy, forego all home remedies and seek medical treatment immediately.
• If your rash is dripping and oozing, see your physician immediately. It is most likely infected and needs to be treated with antibiotics.

[melgrimes]

on 6/21/2009 Good poison ivy idea.