10 Effective Home Remedies For Poison Ivy

Poison ivy may sound scary but it is anything but threatening!

Poison ivy or oak is mostly observed in summer season. This is a type of skin allergy that is caused by plants like poison oak, poison ivy, and poison sumac that releases an oily and sticky substance, known as ‘urushiol’. This causes allergy, with red, irritating and itchy rashes all over the skin. This can take place within 12 to 48 hours of exposure to these plants. Poison ivy rash is not contagious, but requires quick treatment to avoid spreading. Here are a few home remedies to get rid of poison ivy in the most natural and effective way.

Best Home Remedies For Poison Ivy:

1. Medicated Body Powder:

Rubbing Medicated Body Powder is the most speedy and reliable way to treat poison ivy and oak.

Method to follow:

• Clean the affected area thoroughly
• Let this dry
• Spread rubbing alcohol on the affected area.
• Sprinkle the medicated body powder on the alcohol to make a “paste”.
• Cover the area completely
• Wrap this with gauze.

This helps in keeping the affected area clean, medicated and dry. This is also useful to soothe the itchiness.

2. Banana Peels:

If the itching doesn’t get reduced by the above method of applying medicated powder, this banana peel remedy will definitely give you some relief. Rub the inside part of the banana peel on the affected area to reduce itching and cure the sensation.

3. Potato / Oatmeal Paste:

Potato is a good home remedy for many skin inflammation conditions including sunburn and poison ivy.

Method to follow:

• Blend one potato thoroughly in a grinder.
• Apply the “paste” on the affected area.
• You can also substitute this with oatmeal by making a paste or adding it to the bathwater and soaking in it.

4. Vodka and Vinegar:

You can use a high-proof alcoholic beverage instead of rubbing alcohol to clean the area and provide protection from infection. You can apply this directly to the itchy area of the skin instantly after you had a contact with ivy. This is one of the best home remedies to treat poison ivy, since the alcohol washes the urushiol oil that lead to itchiness. You can also substitute vodka or any high-proof alcohols with vinegar to calm the itch.

5. Coffee:

If you can’t find any alcohol or food to treat poison ivy, opt for coffee as the last option. Use cold black coffee to get some relief from poison ivy. Coffee has chlorogenic acid that is anti-inflammatory to provide you relief from irritation.

6. Wash The Area With Cold Water:

Always remember to keep that affected area under cold water, at least for 10-15 minutes. This gives instant relief from that itch, till the time you apply some remedy to clean that area.

7. Witch Hazel:

Witch hazel is also used widely as a home remedy to cure poison ivy. Soak a cotton swab into the witch hazel and apply this directly on the affected areas.

8. Aloe Vera:

Aloe vera is one of the popular natural remedies for poison ivy rash. This provides a soothing effect and brings down any skin allergies. You can apply some fresh aloe vera gel on the rashes. Aloe vera is known as a natural healer, it is anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory and can even cure poison ivy on your face effectively.

9. Calamine Lotion:

You can apply calamine lotion on the affected area. This acts as a handy remedy to provide you instant relief from that poison ivy itch.

10. Tea Bag:

It is one of those good poison ivy cures that really does work. Soak a tea bag in plain water and place it on the rash. Tea contains tannic acid, which is a good astringent and quickly relieves from itching and inflammation caused by poison ivy.

If you ever get hit by this allergy, don’t worry! With these simple home remedies for poison ivy, you’ll be fit as a fiddle in no time!

Have you tried any of these home remedies to cure poison ivy? Let us know your feedback on this.