How to Get Rid of Poison Ivy Rash: 14 Fast Home Remedies

Poison Ivy is native american plant which are kind of parasites that survive on other plants. They are toxic in nature and gently rubbing and touches can cause you rash. People often get poison ivy rash while doing gardening. They unknowingly touch or rub their body against this itchy plant. The symptoms like redness, inflammation and constant itching start after few hours. There are multiple ways to get rid of poison ivy rash like using over the counter ointments and cream. However, you can use some simple kitchen ingredient as home remedies for itchy poison ivy treatment.

It is easy to identify the rash. You must look for multiple red patches on skin. Poison ivy plant have three adjacent leaves pointing outwards. Rashes can be red in color, forms red bumps on skin, gives you feeling of constant itching and sometimes it looks like water filled swollen blister.
The plant is found in almost every part of North America. The color of the leaf changes with season. It looks like green in summer, and have reddish tint in spring. It can also be found in, yellow and light orange color during winters. There are poison ivy pictures after home remedies, if you want to have a look at it.

Is poison ivy contagious

Urushiol  is an organic compound which have allergic properties and can spread the condition if touched. Poison ivy does not have urushiol in them and hence it can not spread from one person to another person.
Even blisters filled with fluid without urishiol are not contagious. Hence you can relax and don’t isolate people with poison ivy rash.
So How does poison ivy spread?
It does not spread through infected person. But if you are cutting lots of shrubs this season then your chances of getting poison ivy rash is high. People must understand that it is not contagious, but you can not pick or pop poison ivy blisters. It will make your skin burn and gives you lots of pain. It will act like open wounds and chances of infection will be higher if you pick or pop the rash bumps.
If you want to know how to cure poison ivy overnight, then you must look at some other article. Simple remedies take time like few days or weeks to help you get rid of rashes completely. They may be fast but overnight treatment is not possible.

Home Remedies for Poison Ivy

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

Using raw apple cider vinegar is the best way to get rid of poison ivy at home. Apple cider vinegar is potent antibacterial and anti-viral agent. It kills poison ivy and reduce size of bumps and redness.
Fermented apple produces vinegar which is known as ACV, which is highly beneficial in treating skin rashes like eczema, blisters, sumac rash, ringworm and acne.
How to use:

• Rinse the affected area with lukewarm water.
• Soak cotton ball in raw and unfiltered apple cider vinegar.
• Apply it directly over poison ivy rash.
• Seal it with duct tape and keep the bandage for 1 hour.
• Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry.
• Use this home treatment twice a day for fast recovery.

2. Oatmeal

Oatmeal has soothing effect on itching skin. Simple ointment made out of oatmeal paste is on of the best poison ivy home remedy. It is power house of anti-oxidants which provide relief from pain and reduce swelling.
Oatmeal is beneficial for people with skin blisters. It soothe itch and reduce redness caused by rashes. It is highly nutritious and fiber rich. Consuming oatmeal can help you treat constipation and improve digestion.
How to treat poison ivy with oatmeal:

• Take one cup oatmeal and crush it to make fine powder.
• Mix liberal amount of water to make thick paste.
• Apply it directly on rash and keep it for 30 minutes.
• Rinse it off and pat dry. Moisturize as usual.
• Alternatively, wrap the oatmeal powder in clean nylon stocks.
• Throw it inside warm water bathtub.
• Stir the water for 5 minutes.
• Soak your infected body inside this soothing oatmeal bath.
• Sit for 15 minutes then take clear water shower.
• Do this daily to get fast results.

3. Coconut Oil for Poison Ivy Treatment

Coconut oil is soothing to redness and itching caused by blisters due to Lauric acid. It is an active compound found in this essential oil which holds medicinal values. Coconut oil is very effective poison ivy home treatment.
Coconut oil acts as natural emollient(1). It help reduce hardness of bumps o skin and reduce size of blister rashes.
How to use:

• You will need virgin coconut oil and olive oil.
• Mix equal  amount of both essential oils.
• Apply it directly over itching rash.
• Keep the oil for 30 minutes before washing with water.
• Use this treatment daily for fast recovery.

4. Banana Peel to Treat Poison Ivy Rash

Inside part of banana peel have cooling effect on burning skin cells. Wide range of herbal remedies use banana peel extract in treatment for allergic bumps on skin.
It soothe itch and prevent blisters from spreading to other parts of body. You can find banana in your refrigerator or kitchen table.

How to use:

• Take one banana, eat it and put the peel in cold water.
• Rub the inner side of banana peel on poison ivy rash.
• Do this gently for 3-5 minutes.
• Cut few slices of banana peel.
• Put these slices over affected skin.
• Keep it for around 30 minutes then rinse off with lukewarm water.
• Do this home remedy daily to get rid of rashes fast.

5. Rub Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol can reduce urushoil from blisters. It will reduce the chances of poison ivy spreading to other people. Alcohol should be your first aid to minimize the discomforts quickly.
How to use alcohol to get rid of poison ivy rash:

• When you start feeling burning sensation and itch, wash the area with lukewarm water.
• Soak cotton balls in alcohol.
• Rub it gently on affected area if redness keeps increasing.
• It will prevent the formation of rashes and help your reduce inflammation.

6. Cucumber to Get Rid of Poison Ivy Rash

The soothing nature of cucumber made it one of the best and most used natural product for beauty treatments. Simple slices of cucumber is an effective home remedy for poison ivy. However, people also uses its slices to treat puffy eyes.
Cucumber is very good source of vitamin B complex and have antioxidant properties. Due to which, it can reduce bumps and skin redness.
How to use:

• Take one semi-frozen cucumber.
• Peel it and cut thin slices.
• Put these slices over red rashes.
• Keep these slices for at-least 20-30 minutes.
• For quick relief, you can gently rub in circular motion.
• Avoid rubbing if you feel pain.
• Do this remedy 2 times a day for few weeks.

7. Lemon Juice

It is an amazing source of vitamin C and antioxidants. Lemon juice is natural disinfectant which can be used to reduce chances of bacterial and fungal infection. Due to its astringent properties, lemon juice is amazing poison ivy home treatment. It can reduce swelling caused by rubbing of plant leaves.
Lemon irritates the skin so you might want to keep some moisturizing cream or ointment. Virgin olive oil is very good for soothing itch and irritation and can be used as moisturizer.
How to use lemon to treat poison ivy at home:

• Take one glass of lukewarm water.
• Add 3 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice.
• Mix 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar.
• Stir well until all the ingredients dissolve completely.
• Use this solution to rinse the rash.
• Do this 2 times a day for quick relief.
• Also drink lemon juice to improve immune system.

8. Aloe Vera 

Aloe vera is an effective herbal remedy for poison ivy. Its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties can help you reduce inflammation caused by rashes and red bumps.
It even prevent formation of fluid filled blisters. Aloe vera is antiseptic, people in south Asia uses aloe vera gel to treat acne and reduce white spots on tonsils.
How to use:

• You will need aloe vera leaf and cotton balls.
• Split open aloe leaf and take out the gel.
• Keep the gel in refrigerator for 10 minutes.
• Then apply it directly over rash and cover it with cotton ball.
• Let it dry naturally or keep it for at-least 1 hour.
• Use this remedy 3 times a day to get rid of poison ivy rash.
• You can also mix 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel in one glass of water.
• Use this solution to rinse the affected area.
• This will speed up the healing process.

9. Cold Compress

Another classic homemade cure for poison ivy is cold compress. It soothe itch and prevent formation of blisters. Cold compress is very healing if your bumps are not having urushoil oil. Because its presence will make rashes contagious. Coolness will regulate blood circulation and help you get rid of all discomforts.
How to use:

• You will need few ice cubes or frozen fruit like apple.
• Wrap the ice cubes with clean towel.
• Place it over red cluster of rashes.
• Apply gentle pressure and keep it until ice melts down.
• Take a break of 1 minute and repeat 3-4 times.
• Use this remedy daily for quick relief.

10. Essential Oils for Poison Ivy Treatment

Our life highly depends upon some very essential oils. They are nutrient rich and help us improve our overall health. Essential oils with vitamin E and fatty acids are effective poison ivy home remedy. These oils will soothe itching and reduce inflammation.
Virgin olive oil is very beneficial for healthy skin. People also use olive oil for cooking and to reduce bad cholesterol. Some essential oils you may use are coconut oil,oil of oregano, argan oil, garlic oil and tea tree oil.
How to use:

• Apply few drops on rash affected skin area.
• Rub it gently for few minutes and keep it for 1 hours.
• Remove the oil with lukewarm water and moisturize as usual.
• Repeat this remedy daily to get rid of poison ivy fast.

11. White Vinegar Wash

Vinegar is used to treat wide range of skin ailments, including helping to cure poison ivy rash. It is highly effective on blisters without urushoil. As it can drain out fluids from blister bumps naturally. It help shrink the size of rash and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the body like legs and hand.
How to use:

• First wash the affected area with lukewarm water.
• Wash the rash with white vinegar.
• You can also soak cotton swab in vinegar and apply it directly on poison ivy blisters.
• Keep it for 20-30 minutes then repeat after interval of 3-4 hours.
• Do this for several weeks for fast recovery.

12. Baking Soda

Baking soda is helpful in treating poison ivy rash. It will bleach the red and bumpy skin. Baking soda’s bleaching effect will drain out fluids from rashes and help them dry out naturally.
Due to its anti-inflammatory and skin exfoliating abilities, baking soda is regularly used home remedy for skin ailments. It can reduce swelling of skin and soothe itching.
How to use:

• You will need baking soda and water.
• Take 2 tablespoons of baking soda powder.
• Mix liberal amount of water to make thick paste.
• Apply it over clustered rashes and gently rub in circular motion.
• Let it get dry for 15-20 minutes then wash it off with water.
• Moisturize with virgin olive oil to avoid dryness.
• Do this daily for several days.

13. Cold Coffee Wash To Get rid of Poison Ivy Rash

Coffee is soothing drink which you may drink to refresh yourself. However, there are other benefits of coffee which can help your treat skin ailments.
Coffee contains enzymes which are anti-inflammatory agent. It works as effective poison ivy rash home remedy. It will soothe itching and reduce inflammation.
How to use:

• Brew one cup of coffee and leave it to reduce its temperature.
• You can also keep it inside refrigerator to reduce temperature quickly.
• Wash affected area with this cold coffee regularly.
• Alternatively, soak cotton swab in cold coffee and dab it on rashes.
• Use this remedy daily until you get relief from itching.

14. Tea bags

Tannin is an active compound found in tea leaves which is anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. It can help treat poison ivy and clear rashes quickly. You can pick black tea bags or herbal green tea bags both of them have tannin. However, people prefer black tea due to its soothing effect on irritated skin.
How to use tea bags to get rid of poison ivy rash:

• Brew 1 cup of tea using 2 tea bags.
• Put those tea bags in refrigerator for 15 minutes.
• Once brewed tea is at room temperature use it to rinse affected area.
• Now place those cold tea bags on blisters and rashes.
• Keep it for 30 minutes then rinse with water.
• Use this methods 2 times a day.

How to identify poison ivy, oak and sumac

Poison Ivy: Most common among all three and found throughout the America. However, they don’t grow in some places like Alaska, Hawaii, and certain parts of west coast. Mostly grow as parasite on small shrubs and vine plant. The leaves are pointed and have tooth like appearance.
Poison Oak: Not so common and can be found in Southern and Eastern United states. Their leaves are pointed but round at the edges. Clustered and have fuzzy green leaves. It grows on tall shrubs and vines and can give you rash when rubbed against skin.
Poison Sumac: Complex leaf structures. Each leave has 12-13 smooth-edged leaflets. It grows as tall shrub and like small tree in swamps and bogs. The color of leaf changes according to season. It is green in summer, yellow/whitish green in fall and orange in spring(2).

What does poison ivy look like

The appearance of rashes are ugly and they form cluster of blister bumps. They itch and causes pain and burning sensation. Here are some pictures of poison ivy rash and plant:

Pictures of Poison Ivy Plant

Poison Ivy on Hands and Legs

If you are suffering from high fever then consult your doctor. So now you know different home remedies for poison ivy treatment, so go and get rid of rashes. Eat immune boosting foods to support healing process.

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