15 Soothing Home Remedies for Poison Ivy Rash

poison ivy rash

You’ve enjoyed a great weekend or day in the great outdoors. So you would be feeling refreshed and eager to get back into your regular routine, except for the poison ivy rash that is driving you out of your mind. Getting relief from the itching and burning is at the top of your list of priorities. You’re in luck, we have 15 soothing home remedies for poison ivy rash you’ll be itching to try.

 

15 Home Remedies That Help You Cure Poison Ivy Rash

1. Oatmeal

You can re-purpose your usual breakfast oatmeal as a treatment for poison ivy rash.

What to do:

  • Cook oatmeal as you normally would. But allow it to cool to the touch.
  • Apply oatmeal to the affected area and allow it to dry.
  • Rinse off with lukewarm water.
  • Repeat this as often as necessary until you achieve the relief you desire.

How it works:

Oatmeal’s avenanthramides and phenols act as anti-inflammatory and antihistamines in order to alleviate the itching, burning and irritation.

banana peel

Banana Peel

One of the best ways to be rid of a poison ivy rash is with a banana peel.

What to do:

  • After peeling a banana, rub the moist inner side of the peel over the affected area for 5 minutes or so.
  • Allow the banana juice to sit for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water.

How it works:

The juice from the banana peel will cool and sooth the itching. It is especially effective when your rash has developed into blisters that have broken open.

Aloe Vera

The gel from the aloe vera plant is well known for its ability to soothe burns, stings and bites. But it works on poison ivy rash too.

What to do:

  • Extract the gel from the shoot of an aloe vera plant.
  • Apply the gel over the affected area and allow it to dry in place for 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Rinse with warm water and repeat this process several times a day.

How it works:

This potent gel has soothing, anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties. These are highly effective for bringing both cooling relief and rapid healing.

Watermelon Rind

You can also gain relief for poison ivy rash from the use of watermelon rind. Moreover, this is fortunate because so many summer outings include this fruit.

What to do:

  • Rub the juicy, inner side of a watermelon rind over the affected area for several minutes until it is well moistened.
  • Just leave it in place and rinse it off later in the shower.

How it works:

Watermelon juice helps to reduce inflammation and dry out the blisters formed by the rash.

Apple Cider Vinegar

A poison ivy rash doesn’t stand a chance against the healing power of apple cider vinegar.

What to do:

  • Dilute 1 cup of raw, organic, unfiltered apple cider vinegar in 1 ½ cup of water.
  • With a clean cloth or gauze bathe the affected area with the diluted mixture.
  • You can repeat this several times a day until you gain relief.

How it works:

Besides balancing the pH of your skin, apple cider vinegar performs an anti-inflammatory function. This one helps reduce the itching and swelling.

Vitamin E Oil

Another gentle solution to heal the raw areas of poison ivy rash is vitamin E oil.

What to do:

  • Clip off the tip of a couple of vitamin E capsules.
  • Apply the gel to broken blisters and places that are raw.
  • You can also repeat this several times a day.

How it works:

Vitamin E is especially effective at repairing and restoring the vitality of skin and skin tissue which has become raw from scratching or the breaking open of blisters.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is another powerful remedy which can bring healing and relief of poison ivy rash.

What to do:

  • Mix 3 parts baking soda with 1 part water to create a paste, and then apply it over the rash.
  • Rinse off the solution with warm water after 10 minutes.
  • Repeat this remedy as often as necessary until you gain relief.

How it works:

Baking soda balances the pH of the area, draws out the moisture and reduces the itching and inflammation.

witch hazel

Witch Hazel

You might think of witch hazel as a remedy from days gone by. But it is also a tried and true method for healing poison ivy rash.

What to do:

  • Using a cotton ball, apply witch hazel to the affected areas and allow it to dry completely.
  • You can repeat this several times a day until you gain complete relief.

How it works:

Witch hazel is an astringent which helps to dry up your rash. But it also helps to reduce inflammation.

Himalayan Salt

An effective and somewhat outside the norm for treating poison ivy rash is Himalayan salt.

What to do:

  • Mix 1 tsp of Himalayan salt in a cup of water and put it in a spray bottle.
  • Use the spray regularly throughout the day to bring instant relief to itching.
  • You might also soak in a warm bath with 1 to 2 cups of Himalayan salt before going to bed.

How it works:

This pink salt contains sulfur compounds and iron oxide. This acts as an antihistamine to bring relief to your rash.

Neem

You can treat poison ivy rash with the use of neem, which is also known as Indian lilac.

What to do:

  • Mix enough water into neem leaf powder to create a thick paste.
  • Apply this paste to the affected areas and allow it to dry for 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Rinse off the paste with warm water and repeat several times a day.

How it works:

Neem is loaded with healing compounds which are both antiseptic and anti-inflammatory to help relieve the itching and swelling.

Rubbing Alcohol

Believe it or not, the simplest way to bring relief to poison ivy rash is with rubbing alcohol.

What to do:

  • Moisten a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol and apply it to the affected areas.
  • The alcohol will eventually evaporate, so there is no need to rinse it off.
  • Repeat this process several times a day.

How it works:

Besides sterilizing the area and preventing any sort of infection, rubbing alcohol has soothing and cooling properties which help relieve itching and pain.

Buttermilk

Buttermilk can also soothe poison ivy rash.

What to do:

  • Combine equal parts of buttermilk, vinegar and salt.
  • Moisten a clean cloth in the mixture and apply it over the affected areas.
  • Repeat as often as necessary until relief is achieved.

How it works:

The enzymes and proteins in buttermilk help to draw the fluid out of the blisters and promote rapid healing.

Turmeric and Honey

A mixture of turmeric and honey is another treatment for poison ivy rash you should consider.

What to do:

  • Mix together equal amounts of turmeric (curry) powder and honey to create a sticky paste.
  • Apply the paste to the affected areas and allow it to dry for 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Repeat this process until you feel relief.

How it works:

Turmeric is nature’s most powerful anti-inflammatory agent. So when you combine that power with honey’s antimicrobial properties; you get a solid combination for rash relief.

Goldenseal

Goldenseal root can also help treat poison ivy rash after blisters and raw places have developed.

What to do:

  • Mix enough water into goldenseal root powder to make a thick paste.
  • Apply the paste to the affected areas and let it dry for 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Rinse off the paste in warm water and repeat as necessary.

How it works:

Goldenseal is also anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial in nature. So it not only helps relieve the itching and swelling, but helps prevent secondary infections from forming.

mint
Tip: Grow your plant of mint and discover all its unique uses.

Mint Toothpaste

The simplest solution for poison ivy rash with no mixing and tons of relief comes from white, mint toothpaste.

What to do:

  • Using a cotton ball or your finger, dab white, mint toothpaste (do not use gels with whiteners) onto the affected areas and allow it to dry for 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Rinse off the paste with warm water and repeat as needed.

How it works:

Mint soothes and cools itches while it also acts as an anti-inflammatory. When combined with the minerals and baking soda used in toothpaste, it also has an astringent effect.

What Is Poison Ivy Rash?

The blisters, pain, swelling and incessant itching is caused by a toxic compound called urushiol. This is one of the deadliest toxins on the planet. Often associated with poison ivy contact as well are a number of other symptoms. These include a fever and burning rash which can last from just a few hours or up to 7 or even 10 days in some cases.

These 15 smooth home remedies for poison ivy rash can bring relief. But they are not all inclusive cures. Some individuals can have a severe allergic reaction when they come in contact with poison ivy and may need emergency medical treatment by a qualified professional, especially if they have difficulty breathing or swallowing.

Wrapping Up

When poison ivy rash threatens to completely ruin your time in the great outdoors, finding relief can’t come soon enough. Our 15 smooth home remedies for poison ivy rash are readily available in most households. So you don’t have to go out shopping for a solution.

Make use of any or several of our remedies to ease the burning, discomfort and itching. Then, make sure that you comment about your experience and other proven remedies in the comments below.

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