Poison ivy is a weed found in most parts of the world, which causes allergic reactions when it comes in contact with the skin. This is believed to be responsible for most of the allergic reactions of people living in North America where the plant grows wild. It has leaves that are divided into three hairy leaflets. Each leaflet has lobes that are distinct and it not therefore too hard to identity and make it possible to avoid the plant.

On coming into contact with poison ivy, people experience a variety of symptoms, including itching, blisters, bumps and red inflammations on the skin, which eventually turns into a rash that can be quite irritating. The condition is however not contagious and one does not risk spreading it to other skin areas on scratching. The blisters can however be full of pus and dangerous hence the need to get proper treatment. Some people, especially small children, will also have fever, swelling and nausea.

The main and only method of getting the allergic reaction caused by poison ivy is by coming into contact with it while outdoors. It is also possible for animals to collect the plant and carry it indoors, affecting people who come into contact with the animals or pets like cats and dogs. Although it is believed that there are people who can also get the allergy after touching those who have been in contact with the plant, this is rarely seen.

When suffering from the irritating symptoms of poison ivy, there is a need to get treatment even though the condition may not be serious and temporary. The itching and the pain that come with the rash can make a person suffer even for a few hours. There are several natural remedies for the reaction that have been tested and proven to be effective in treating poison ivy rash. These natural remedies are effective and simple to use as well as easy to find since most can be found in the house.

1. Home Remedies
2. Other Remedies
3. Diet

Home Remedies for Poison Ivy

Burdock Roots as Home Remedy for Poison Ivy

Properties: Burdock roots have healing properties that work well in eliminating the rash that comes as a result of contact with poison ivy. It is a quick way of getting rid of the symptoms and also giving fast relief.

Using Burdock Roots as Cure for Poison Ivy:

Burdock root should be dried and ground into powder. The powder can then be added to water to make tea and then applied onto the affected areas. The herb should provide quick relief from the burning sensation and the itching that comes with the condition. This is one of the best home remedies for the rash.

Potato as a Home Remedy for Poison Ivy

Properties: Potato has anti-inflammatory properties making it very popular in treating conditions that result from inflammation, such as the rash caused by poison ivy. This is one of the most popular and common natural remedies for the rash and has proved to be very effective in achieving the desired results.

Using Potato as Natural Remedy for Poison Ivy:

Mash raw potato by blending and make a paste. The paste should then be thoroughly applied onto the affected areas of the skin and left for at least half an hour. This can be done several times a day as a way of getting rid of the itching and irritation caused by the plant.

Oatmeal as a Natural Remedy for Poison Ivy

Properties: Oatmeal has soothing properties making it very good in calming the skin affected by poison ivy rash. The remedy is also widely used as treatment for various other skin conditions.

Using Oatmeal as Cure for Poison Ivy:

Prepare a bath and add oatmeal to it before taking your bath. One can stay soaked in the bath water for at least 10 minutes to allow the remedy to work in dealing with the irritation. Epsom salt can be added to the water for better results. This is one of the simplest ways of quickly getting rid of the rash.

Golden Root as a Home Remedy for Poison Ivy

Properties: Golden root contains Vitamin C, calcium as well as beta carotene which work by boosting the immune system thereby speeding up the healing process. The Vitamin C also deals with the inflammation caused by the allergic reaction giving fast relief to patients.

Using Golden Root as Natural Remedy for Poison Ivy:

Dry the golden root and grind to make a powder. Add water and prepare a paste and apply onto the skin affected by the rash. This should be done several times in the day to get rid of the rash quickly. It is one of the best natural remedies for the allergic reaction as it works fast.

Baking Soda as Home Remedy for Poison Ivy

Properties: Baking soda has soothing and healing properties making it a good remedy for poison ivy rash. It is a remedy that is used commonly for the treatment of various other conditions affecting the skin.

Using Baking Soda as Cure for Poison Ivy:

Patients should prepare warm bath water and then add baking soda. The parts affected should be immersed in the water for several minutes to give relief. Another simple way of using the remedy is to make a paste and apply it onto the areas affected by the rash. Among all home remedies for poison ivy rash, this is the easiest and most effective.

Aloe Vera as a Home Remedy for Poison Ivy

Properties: Aloe Vera has anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties making it very popular in the medical world. Apart from being used as treatment for skin conditions, it is also used for diseases affecting the digestive and respiratory systems. It is popular as it gives instant relief from itching and pain.

Using Aloe Vera as Natural Remedy for Poison Ivy:

Apply the thick gel from the aloe leaves onto the affected areas and leave to dry before washing off. This should give you instant relief by cooling and soothing the areas affected by the rash. It is one of the most popular natural remedies for the reaction.

Vinegar as a Home Remedy for Poison Ivy

Properties: The various minerals and compounds found in vinegar work fast in dealing with cases of poison ivy rash. The remedy is simple to use as it is found in most kitchens for cooking purposes, and is one of the most beneficial home remedies for the condition.

Using Vinegar as Cure for Poison Ivy:

Vinegar can be sprinkled onto the blisters or rash to give instant relief from itches. This can be done several times a day till the itching goes away. It works by drawing out the poison. Apple cider vinegar and white vinegar can also be used for the same purpose.

Banana Peel as Natural Remedy for Poison Ivy

Properties: Banana peels contain essential minerals which help in soothing and healing skin affected by poison ivy rash. The remedy is a fast way of getting rid of most of the symptoms and is quite easy to find.

Using Banana Peel as Treatment for Poison Ivy:

Banana peel should be rubbed onto the skin from the inside and the paste left for 30 minutes to give the desired relief. The fruit can be taken with meals as diet for the condition and also as a way of keeping the body healthy.

Garlic as a Natural Remedy for Poison Ivy

Properties: Garlic has anti-inflammatory properties which work well in treating poison ivy rash thus getting rid of the irritating symptoms that come with the condition. The remedy has been in use for the longest time as treatment for various other conditions and is one of the best natural remedies for skin conditions and other diseases.

Using Garlic as Cure for Poison Ivy:

Cloves of garlic should be pounded into a paste and applied onto the rash. This is a simple and quick way of getting rid of the poison. It can also be ground into powder when dry and then taken in water. To use as diet for the condition and other diseases as well as a way of boosting immunity, raw garlic can be used in meals.

Sunflower Oil as a Natural Remedy for Poison Ivy

Properties: Sunflower has healing properties which get rid of the symptoms of poison ivy rash fast. The remedy works by sucking out the poison and cooling the affected areas, thus getting rid of itching and inflammation.

Using Sunflower Oil as Treatment for Poison Ivy:

The oil should be applied directly onto the areas affected by the rash or mixed with garlic paste and then applied several times during the day. The oil can also be used to cook meals as diet for the condition and other diseases.

Other Home Remedies for Poison Ivy

Take the fresh blossoms of fever-few and place in a pan and add sunflower oil. This should then be placed in a medium flame and allowed to boil for ten minutes. Garlic cloves can be added after cooling and the mixture used once daily as treatment for the poison ivy rash.

Mix bleach in warm water and then apply onto the affected skin areas using a washcloth. This is a great way of getting rid of the poison within a few days. Another simple remedy for poison ivy rash is applying dish-washing liquid and then washing off using cold water. This remedy gives fast relief from the itching that comes with the rash.

Take the rind of watermelon and rub onto the skin affected by the rash as a way of soothing the itching and pain. This can be done several times a day. Watermelon juice can also be applied or taken as diet for the rash especially when it leads to fever.

Take the lotion of calendula and apply well onto the skin to get rid of the poison and eliminate the itchiness that comes with the rash.

Add sweet fern leaves in boiling water and steep before straining. This solution should be applied onto the affected skin as a way of sucking out the poison. This is one of the most useful home remedies for poison ivy rash.

Take common table salt and rub well onto the rashes as a simple way of taking care of the blisters. The remedy is especially useful in blisters that are oozing and cause irritation.

Apply alcohol onto the areas affected using a cotton cloth to give fast relief from the symptoms. The remedy helps in drying out the poison and drying the blisters aiding fast healing.

Vicks Vapor-rub can also be applied to get rid of the burning sensation and itching that comes with the allergic reaction.

Take a cotton ball and add nail polish before applying onto the skin areas affected by the poison.

Listerine mouthwash is also an effective remedy for the irritation symptoms and is one of the simplest natural remedies for the rash.

Take tea tree oil and apply onto the rashes. This speeds up the healing process besides getting rid of the poison giving fast relief. Fresh leaves of tea tree can also be used to make a paste by pounding and then applied onto the skin as treatment for the rash.

The simplest of all home remedies for the condition is running cold water onto the affected parts of the skin. Cold compresses can also be applied onto the areas to cool and soothe the itchiness.

Diet for Poison Ivy and other Precautions

Take foods that are rich in zinc to help in repairing the damaged tissues of the skin. Foods rich in Vitamin C should also be included in diet as they work on the rashes by reducing the swelling that comes with the poison.

Increase your calcium and beta carotene intake to keep the immune system strong in fighting diseases and conditions likely to affect the human system. Calcium also helps in the healing process of the allergy caused by poison ivy.

Keep off fields that have poison ivy or wear protective clothes while going out to such settings, to keep the allergies at bay. The best way is to keep off places that have the plant and also keeping pets off such fields.

Always avoid scratching the areas affected by the rash as this could aggravate the condition.

Drink lots of water to help in flushing out the toxins, speeding up the healing process of the condition.