Home Remedies For Poison Ivy Rash

Poison Ivy is a poisonous North American plant that causes a rash that is not only itchy, but also very painful. Urushiol, a compound which is produced by the plant is what causes the contact dermatitis.

Poison ivy rashes can last up to four weeks and can sometimes be so severe that hospitalization is needed. Several home remedies are recommended as effective treatment for Poison Ivy. They may or may not be entirely effective depending on the extent of infection.

Baking Soda Baths & Pastes :-

• • Found in most kitchens, common baking soda is a great natural remedy for the itchiness associated with a poison ivy rash.
  • To help relieve itching, place 1/2 a cup of baking soda in a bath tub filled with warm water.

• You can also mix 3 teaspoons of baking soda with one teaspoon of water and mix until it forms a paste.
• Apply this paste to the infected area to relieve itching and irritation that’s associated with a poison ivy rash.

Oatmeal Paste :-

• • Cook a small amount of oatmeal and apply it directly to the skin as a paste.
  • Make sure to cook it very thick so that the paste will stick to the skin.
  • Some sources recommend putting the oatmeal on the skin while it is very warm, as the heat from the oatmeal will eventually cool, leaving the skin dry and relieved.
  • Make sure not to apply the oatmeal when it is too hot, as this can easily burn the skin.

• You may also try mixing in a teaspoon of baking soda, for an extra itch-relieving effect.

Organic Apple Cider Vinegar :-

• Apply a teaspoon of organic apple cider vinegar directly to the infected skin.
• Apple Cider Vinegar has a toxin-pulling action that helps suck the poison out of the pores.
• You can also create a warm vinegar compress using a thin cotton towel.
• Reapply to the skin as needed.

Aloe Vera Gel :-

• • An ancient curative remedy for the skin, aloe vera can be used directly on the infected area.
  • You can buy a high-quality organic version at most health-food stores, or even better, buy a plant and use the gel from inner flesh of the leaves.

• External use of organic aloe vera juice may also help, but is not as effective as the gel.

Himalayan Crystal Salt :-

• Remember, poison ivy is a condition that causes the skin to become wet and red.
• Salt is an excellent natural remedy, as it is drying for the skin, and will pull both the excess water and the poison from the body.
• Make a paste using purified water and Himalayan Salt.
• You can also take a warm salt bath.
• I’d recommend putting a cup of Himalayan Crystal Salt into the bath tub and soak in it for at least 20 minutes.

Oatmeal Bath :-

• Oatmeal is rich in vitamin C, which is an antioxidant, and hence oatmeal can be used for restoring the skin damage and also in reducing the itching sensation on the skin.
• Take two cups of oatmeal and add this to a tub of water.
• Soak the body in this water for twenty minutes.
• Oatmeal powder can be made into a paste with water and applied on the skin for controlling the itching and also soothing the skin as it heals.

Buttermilk :-

• Buttermilk is a natural cooling agent and the lactobacilli in buttermilk will help in the healing process as well.
• Buttermilk can be taken internally several times to increase the immunity of the body and fight off the infection effectively.
• Apply buttermilk on the affected spot to keep the infection and pain under control.
• Buttermilk will also help in keeping the skin well moisturized, thereby reducing the severity of the poison ivy rash.

Coffee :-

• • According to folk medicine, black coffee is a natural remedy for dealing with poison ivy rash.
  • Cold black coffee can be poured over the rash several times to initiate a healing action on the skin.

• The chlorogenic acid that is present in the coffee is known to be an anti-inflammatory agent and helps in reducing the blister formation and also in reducing the severity of the poison ivy rash.
• Continue application until the rash starts receding.