You might have experienced rashes and cuts on your legs and hands after doing gardening or trimming your lawn. That is due to the plant known as poison ivy in your lawn. The plant has a compound called urushiol which when comes to the contact of the skin its leads to irritation, itching, rashes, and pain as well. The best way to treat poison ivy is to start the treatment immediately you experience the symptoms. Read more to know home remedies for poison ivy.
Causes of Poison Ivy:
- Direct touch to the plant
- Inhaling smoke from the burning plants.
- Indirect touch or touching contaminated objects.
Symptoms of Poison Ivy:
- Redness
- Itching
- Swelling
- Blisters
- Difficulty in breathing
Often the rash looks like a straight line because of the way plant brushes against your skin. The severity of the rash depends on the amount of urushiol that gets on your skin.
Best Home Remedies For Poison Ivy:
Poison ivy rash can spread rapidly during the first three days, especially when you scratch affected area. It can cause great suffering if left untreated. To treat than rash and sufferings use following home remedies.
1.) Himalayan Crystal Salt to Treat Poison Ivy
Poison ivy is a condition that causes the skin to become red and wet. Salt has always been one of the best remedies for poison ivy. It removes the excess water and the poison from the body. Himalayan salt contains minerals and elements that are also found in the human body. It is one of the best and old home remedies to get rid of the rash caused by poison ivy.
Direction To Use HCS:
- Make a paste using purified water and Himalayan salt.
- You can take a warm salt bath.
- Add a cup of Himalayan Crystal Salt into the bathtub and soak in it for at least twenty minutes.
2.) Aloe Vera for the Treatment of Poison Ivy
An ancient curative remedy for the skin, the properties of this plant make them very versatile. When ingested, they are incredibly soothing, loaded with antioxidants and offer countless other health benefits. Even the inner and outer part of Aloe Vera leaves contain different properties.
Direction to Use Aloe Vera:
- Buy a plant and use the gel from inner flesh of the leaves.
- You can buy Aloe Vera gel from medical and health store.
- You can use Aloe Vera juice also to get rid of the rash caused by poison ivy.
3.) Organic Apple Cider Vinegar Remedy for Poison Ivy Rash
Apple cider vinegar is also one of the best home remedies for poison ivy. It contains potassium, pectin, malic acid and acetic acid, which help to get rid of the rash caused by poison ivy. It has a toxin pulling action that helps suck the poison out of the pores.
Direction to Use Apple Cider Vinegar:
- Apply a teaspoon of organic apple cider vinegar directly to the infected skin.
- Soak a brown paper bag in apple cider vinegar, then place it on the rash to pull out the toxins.
4.) Treat Poison Ivy from Baking Soda
Baking soda is a natural remedy for the itching and poison ivy rash. It helps to relieve itching fast. Apply it on the affected area. However, do not leave it for the more than sufficient time since it dries the skin.
Direction to Use Baking Soda:
- Place half a cup of baking soda in a bath tub filled with warm waters.
- You can also mix three teaspoons of baking soda and one teaspoon of water and mix until it forms a paste.
- Apply this paste on the area that was affected by poison ivy rash.
5.) Oatmeal Paste to Heal Poison Ivy Rash
Oatmeal is also one of the best home remedies for poison ivy. It contains many beneficial properties. It helps in fast recovering the rash that caused by the poison ivy. As we all know that oats are good for the skin.
Direction to Use Oatmeal Paste:
- Cook a small amount of oatmeal and apply it on the skin in paste form.
- Body soak in an oatmeal bath is an old poison ivy home remedy.
- Fill the tub with lukewarm water and soak in it for half an hour.
6.) Organic Cucumber to Treat Poison Ivy Fast
Cucumber slices are one of the best-known home remedies for poison ivy. This green veggie is very cooling in its nature. With vitamin K, B vitamins, potassium, manganese, and copper it helps get rid of itching very fast. It is cold on the skin and can help provide itch relief.
Direction to Use Organic Cucumber:
- Apply a cucumber paste on your skin.
- You can place slices of cucumber on affected area as well.
7.) Rubbing Alcohol to Cure Poison Ivy Rash
They are liquid and used primarily as a topical antiseptic. Rubbing alcohol contains seventy percent of isopropyl. The cooling, soothing and disinfectant properties of the rubbing alcohol help to treat the symptoms of poison ivy rash. Moreover, it is disinfectant in nature, it helps to prevent further infections.
Direction to Use Rubbing Alcohol:
- Swiping it on your skin immediately after contact with poison ivy can slow down the discomfort.
- Repeat it two or three times in a day.
8.) Cold Water to Get Rid of Poison Ivy
Water is available everywhere in the world, it is also one of the best home remedies for poison ivy. When your body part comes in contact with poison ivy plant, cold water will help to get relief from burning hot itching. It will also reduce the size of poison ivy rashes.
Direction to Use Cold Water:
- Wash the affected body part in cool running water.
- Simply dip the cotton in cold water and dab it on the skin.
- Avoid hot water, as it can cause irritation.
9.) Organic Witch Hazel to Cure Poison Ivy
Witch hazel extract is a wonderful home remedy for poison ivy. It is gentle enough to use it alone. Organic witch hazel extract offers by mountain rose herbs is superior in quality. It effectively removes oil and impurities from the skin.
Direction to Use Organic Witch Hazel:
- Dab a small amount of witch hazel on the affected area.
- It helps to minimize large pores.
10.) Butter Milk to Treat Poison Ivy
Buttermilk is an excellent remedy to treat poison ivy rashes. It is filled with high protein content that will help to cure the blisters caused by poison ivy. The soothing and cooling properties will help to reduce the itching.
Direction to Use Buttermilk:
- Add half a teaspoon of baking soda in buttermilk and apply it to the affected area.
- Mix buttermilk with warm water and then use it to wash the affected area.
11.) Banana Peel to Get Rid of Poison Ivy
Many old-wives tales swear by the power of banana peel for poison ivy. Banana peels contain the cooling properties which help to reduce the itching. It is also very helpful to get rid of blisters.
Direction to Use Banana Peel:
- Rub the inside of the peel on the affected area.
- Repeat it three times in a day.
12.) Treat Poison Ivy with Lemon Juice
Lemon is a natural astringent which helps to take out the excessive oil from the skin and prevent the further infection. It is rich in vitamin c, folate, vitamin B6, zinc, and protein. So it helps skin rashes disappear automatically.
Direction to Use Lemon Juice:
- Apply it soon after contact with the poison ivy leaf.
- Scrub the cut lemon on the affected area.
- You can mix lemon juice, water, and sugar into a paste and apply it on the affected area.