{"id":1009,"date":"2017-07-17T06:04:13","date_gmt":"2017-07-17T06:04:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=1009"},"modified":"2021-05-13T17:09:08","modified_gmt":"2021-05-13T17:09:08","slug":"13-remedies-poison-ivy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/13-remedies-poison-ivy\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Remedies for Poison Ivy"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Poison Ivy is a plant that can cause a rash when it comes into direct contact with the skin but only if the victim touches the oily resin that is found inside the leaves.<\/p>\n

Poison ivy is technically referred to as toxicodendron radicans or toxicodendron rydbergii, which refer to Eastern and Western versions respectively. This usually grows as a vine or as a shrub and can be found across North America. It is most often found in open fields, in woods and along river banks but might also appear in urban areas in parks or along the roadside.<\/p>\n

The best natural remedy for poison ivy? Avoid touching it in the first place! Look out for the distinctive clustered leaf arrangements \u2013 usually groups of three. The color and shape of the leaves can vary slightly depending on the precise species, as well as the time of year and the local environment however. In some cases, it might have yellow or green flowers, while in some cases it might show green-yellow berries.<\/p>\n

But what do you do if you do accidentally come into contact with poison ivy? If you take a quick look on Google then you\u2019ll find that there are all manner of different home remedies for treating the condition \u2013 some of which are fairly dramatic such as using human urine!<\/p>\n

However, in most cases, once the eruption has occurred, the only known and effective solution is to apply a strong, topical steroid to the area for two to three weeks.<\/p>\n

That said, there are certainly things you can do to calm some of the more unpleasant symptoms. Not only that, but plenty of anecdotal evidence suggests that even some of the more out-there options might have some benefits. Hey, it\u2019s worth a try!<\/p>\n

So, with that in mind, let\u2019s take a look at 13 natural remedies for poison ivy. Just make sure you are on your way to see a GP as well.<\/p>\n

1. \u00a0Banana Peel<\/h3>\n

Apparently, rubbing the inside of a banana<\/a> peel onto the area of the skin that has been affected can help to cool the pain and generally ease the discomfort. A similar option is to use watermelon rind.<\/p>\n

This is an old wives\u2019 tale and it might not help to actually solve the problem, but if it\u2019s some immediate relief you\u2019re looking for, then banana peel is a good option!<\/p>\n

\"\"2. \u00a0Apple Cider Vinegar<\/h3>\n

This is one that you should perhaps place in the \u2018unsure\u2019 category. Apparently, applying a little apple cider vinegar<\/a> to the are can be a useful way to \u2018draw out\u2019 the toxins and neutralize them. Whether or not this really works is unsure however, and it\u2019s worth noting that applying a strongly acidic substance to the skin can potentially risk damaging the \u2018skin barrier\u2019 which is intended to help nourish the skin, trap in moisture and at the same time reduce the likelihood of infection.<\/p>\n

In other words, this one could cause more harm than good\u2026 so proceed with caution.<\/p>\n

\"\"3. \u00a0Analgesics<\/h3>\n

While we\u2019re all for home remedies, it is very important that you don\u2019t let a love of all things natural cloud your judgement. Some problems are better treated with medication as we are seeing here.<\/p>\n

As well as seeing your doctor for a topical steroid cream, it\u2019s also important to use analgesics<\/a> generally: pain killers that can help to ease all discomfort by altering the way that pain signals are sent and received in the brain. Good options include ibuprofens and paracetamols. They might not be \u2018natural\u2019 but they work.<\/p>\n

\"\"4. \u00a0Eucalyptus<\/h3>\n

Here\u2019s a home remedy that might actually offer some relief however. Applying eucalyptus oil to the skin is helpful because it is naturally anti-inflammatory, meaning that it can help to ease all types of irritation and inflammation. Eucalyptus<\/a> is also generally nutritious for the skin and moisturising and for these reasons, it is popularly used to treat a number of different types of rashes.<\/p>\n

Eucalyptus also has a cooling effect similar to mint and might help to cool the discomfort. Note again that this will not actually cure the rash however.<\/p>\n

\"\"5. \u00a0Dish Soap and Cold Water<\/h3>\n

This might sound like another one of those less-than-helpful home remedies, but actually there is some good advice here.<\/p>\n

The reason that using dish soap and cold water is recommended is that you can use them to quickly wash away the oil before it is absorbed into the skin. This is useful seeing as it can take around 10 minutes for half of the substance to enter the skin.<\/p>\n

In other words, if you brush up against a poison ivy<\/a> plant then you might have time to do something about it before the itching begins. It\u2019s only if you wait and allow the substance to seep in that you will then need the more aggressive treatment.<\/p>\n

The reason that dish soap is recommended is that it is a grease cutting agent. Remember, the toxicity is found in the oil, which means it can be hard to wash up with water!<\/p>\n

\"\"6. \u00a0Potatoes<\/h3>\n

People will go to any length to avoid taking advice from their doctors it seems! One of the most common tips is to take a potato<\/a> and to rub it against the affected area. The only side effect? You\u2019ll feel pretty self-conscious.<\/p>\n

That said, the potential benefit of this option is that the potatoes can be used to absorb the oil potentially. But you\u2019re better off just washing it off\u2026<\/p>\n

\"\"7. \u00a0Washing Your Clothes<\/h3>\n

Another useful tip is to make sure you wash your clothes in a similar manner after contact with the ivy. The grease can similarly become transferred onto your clothing and this can then cause it to re-aggravate your skin<\/a>. In an ideal scenario, you should remove all clothing and dip it into soapy water as soon as possible.<\/p>\n

\"\"8. \u00a0Jewelweed<\/h3>\n

Often the recommended natural remedy for any kind of rash incurred from a plant is to find another plant and then rub it against yourself. This is why we so often look for doc leaves after we\u2019ve been at the mercy of stinging nettles for instance.<\/p>\n

When it comes to treating poison ivy, the plant of choice if jewelweed<\/a>. This is a small annual that is considered by many to be an effective antidote and that grows in shady areas. This is once again a mainly anecdotal cure but if you get in quick, it\u2019s possible that some of the active agents might be able to counteract the effects.<\/p>\n

\"\"9. \u00a0Lemon Juice and Honey<\/h3>\n

Lemon juice and honey<\/a> won\u2019t cure the condition but the combination is once again recommended as an option for treating the discomfort quickly and for alleviating pain in the short term. Lemon is an astringent that is thought to help reduce boils, but do remember once again that acid and the skin don\u2019t always mix. The honey is once more cooling and can provide a lot of nourishment for the skin. But do keep in mind that it also makes a bit of a sticky mess\u2026<\/p>\n

\"\"10. \u00a0Baking Soda<\/h3>\n

This is another common solution that is recommended on blogs and forums and is one that actually works. Once again though, this only really works if you use it quickly in order to soak up the oil. If you\u2019ve ever used baking soda<\/a> to dust up spilled oil in the kitchen, then you should already have an idea of just how well this can work.<\/p>\n

The thing to recognize here though, is that baking soda is very alkaline and can once again upset the delicate pH balance of the skin. Use it quickly before the rash appears but after that point, don\u2019t keep applying it.<\/p>\n

\"\"11. \u00a0Oatmeal<\/h3>\n

Oatmeal<\/a> is another useful substance that can be used to soak up the oils that cause the discomfort from a brush-in with poison ivy. This works best if you make it into a paste and apply to the area, in which case it should be able to help remove some of the oil.<\/p>\n

But while this works just fine, you could always just stick to the dish soap which might be less \u2018natural\u2019 but is more guaranteed to work.<\/p>\n

\"\"12. \u00a0Cucumber<\/h3>\n

Cucumber<\/a> is a useful item that is often handed out at health spas in order to place on your eyelids. The idea is that it can provide a cooling and relaxing effect when used this way and in a similar vein, it can also be used to treat and cool a painful rash.<\/p>\n

This won\u2019t cure the rash, but it can help to make it a little less painful and upsetting and it\u2019s relaxing as well. Then again, so too can a simple ice pack.<\/p>\n

\"\"13. \u00a0Aloe Vera<\/h3>\n

Aloe vera<\/a> is yet another substance that is popular for all kinds of rashes. It is naturally anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial, so it can ease discomfort, nourish the skin and prevent infections. It won\u2019t cure the rash but it can ease symptoms in conjunction with other treatments.<\/p>\n

\"\"14. Rubbing alcohol<\/b><\/h3>\n

This isn\u2019t a remedy for a rash that already exists, but rather a prevention measure. If have been exposed to poison ivy and you are aware of it, applying rubbing alcohol<\/a> to the contact site could prevent the rash from developing. <\/span><\/p>\n

Rubbing alcohol is very drying, so it can help to destroy the oils found in the poison ivy plant that cause that irritating rash. If blisters do develop, you can try applying rubbing alcohol to them, as it may help to dry them out.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"\"15. Witch Hazel<\/b><\/h3>\n

An astringent<\/a>, which hazel is famed for its ability to reduce inflammation and itching. It\u2019s a natural treatment, and it can provide excellent results. <\/span><\/p>\n

To use this poison ivy remedy, simply saturate a cotton swab with witch hazel and dab it over the affected sit. Let the liquid remain on the skin and dry in. You should notice a marked difference in the itching and the inflammation within just minutes after application.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n\r\n

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