If you find yourself dealing with the itchy, painful rash associated with poison ivy, then you need relief fast. Poison ivy contains a toxin called urushiol. Most people are allergic to this toxin, which is why they break out in a rash when they are exposed to the plant. The affected area will usually swell and you may run a fever. In addition, the area will become extremely itchy and painful blisters usually appear but these home remedies for poison ivy may help relieve your symptoms.
Best Home Remedies for Poison Ivy
1. Use an Oatmeal Paste
Applying cooked oatmeal to the affected area will help relieve the itching and pain associated with poison ivy. When cooking the oatmeal, make it a little thick so it will stick to the skin better. This paste seems to work best if you apply it when it’s still warm but be careful it’s not too hot or it will burn the skin.
2. Make a Baking Soda Paste
Using baking soda to make a paste is another popular home remedy for poison ivy. Simply mix three parts baking soda to one part water and stir until it forms a paste. Apply the paste to the affected area to relieve the itch and help the rash heal. If the rash covers a large area of your body, add half a cup of baking soda to warm bathwater and soak for twenty or thirty minutes. For 100 more baking soda uses, CLICK HERE!
3. Use Himalayan Crystal Salt
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Himalayan crystal salt can help dry the skin while pulling the excessive water along with the poison out of the body. You can add a cup of the salt to warm bath water and soak for about twenty minutes. Another option is to add the salt to purified water to make a paste and apply it directly to the skin.
4. Apply Tea Bags
Use black or green tea bags to stop the itch and relieve the pain. Simply moisten the tea bags and apply them to the affected area. The tea contains an astringent called tannic acid that will contract the inflamed tissues and provide relieve.
5. Use Essential Oils
You can use essential oils to make home remedies that can help relieve your poison ivy symptoms. Some of the best oils to use include peppermint, tea tree, roman chamomile, eucalyptus, cypress and lavender.
6. Apply Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has the ability to pull the poison out of the pores on your skin to help the rash heal faster. You can apply the vinegar directly to the skin or make a compress by placing the vinegar on a warm cotton towel and placing it on the affected area. Use a thin towel for the best results. Reapply as often as needed.
7. Aloe Vera Gel Works Wonders
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Aloe Vera is great for healing burns and abrasions but not everyone knows that it also works great for healing the rash caused by poison ivy. Apply it directly to the affected area to heal the blisters and relieve the itch.
Poison ivy affects people differently. Some people will begin seeing symptoms after a few hours of being exposed to the plant, while others may go as long as ten days before the rash appears. If you get outdoors a lot or have kids, then having a few good home remedies for treating the symptoms of poison ivy on hand is a good idea, just in case someone is exposed to the plant.