How to Treat Poison Ivy and Poison Oak

Poison ivy and poison oak can cause a lot of trouble...itchy, blisters and just a miserable feeling.

There are some very simple ways to treat poison ivy and poison oak with things in you pantry.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. 

   First, what does poison ivy look like? A poison ivy plant can grow as a ground cover, a free-standing shrub and/or a vine. It can look like a lot of different other plants depending on where you are from.
   
   As a ground cover it can cover a large area and be about 2 to 3 feet tall.
   
   As a free-standing shrub has been known to grow almost 10 feet tall and will have one stem and several side branches.
   
   As a vine, it will attach itself to a tree. In the vine form it can grow bigger and taller then any other form. It can climb a tree and keep right on going as tall as the tree is.
   
   The poison ivy leaf is a compound leaf. This means there is a front leaf and two side leaves making up one section.

2. 

   What does Poison Oak look like? Poison oak will lose it's leaves in the winter months. It grows as a shrub and can be a vine also. As a shrub form it can be anywhere from 1 to 6 feet tall. This also has three leafy stems (one in the center and two leaves to the side.) In the summer the leaves are a glossy green color and will change to shades of red and orange in the fall.

3. Now, how can you treat poison ivy and/or poison oak if you get it? If you aren't allergic to the plant, you can usually treat it at home. If you notice a lot of blistering, you might want to see a doctor.

4. Fill a bathtub with warm water and empty en entire jar of Nestea powder, mix well, then soak in the tea bath for about 15 minutes. The tannic acid in the tea soothes the itching and dries up the poison ivy/oak rash.

5. Applying Preparation H to the poison relieves the burning and swelling and clears up the rash.

6. Lemon juice can be applied over the poison to soothe the itching and alleviate the rash.

7. Pour vinegar over the affected area. While still wet, sprinkle lightly with table salt. Let dry and brush clean. Repeat if itching recurs or if the rash begins oozing. The vinegar and salt treatment should dry up the rash within two days.

Tips & Warnings

• The best prevention to getting poison ivy or poison oak is to know what the plant looks like in your area and where it grows.
• The first moments that you think you have been exposed to the poison, wash your hands with soap and water. Do NOT touch your face with your hands. Poison Ivy and Poison Oak will spread quite rapidly.
• Pouring rubbing alcohol on the area as soon as possible can also help prevent the poison from getting too bad.
• Poison ivy and oak can be spread from one person to another. The oils from the plant is what spreads the poison.
• If you get the poison on your face or in your mouth and eyes, contact a doctor immediately.

Resources

• A Field Guide to Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, and Poison Sumac: Prevention and Remedies
• Your Home Remedies

[goodselfme]

on 2/16/2009 I will use this useful info. thanks!

[ampersand]

on 2/16/2009 Thanks for the great information!

[wordstock]

on 2/10/2009 My favorite saying is "leaves of three, let it be". Learned that one the hard way. Great tips for dealing with poison ivy and poison oak. 5*

[hellow99]

on 2/10/2009 5*+Favourite - You are a wealth of information!

[joanhaines]

on 2/9/2009 AAaaah...Just the thought of poison ivy makes me shiver with itches. thanks for giving some ideas for treating and avoiding it.