Home Remedies to Get Rid of Poison Ivy – Going outside is always a splendid way to spend time. Whichever way you choose to explore the great outdoors is up to you; just have fun.
However, all that pleasure will fade if you get back home all itchy and your skin is littered with little red bumps.
Poison ivy just did you a callous one. It’s not your fault. You can’t be too careful with that plant.
Moreover, 85% of people are sensitive to urushiol. That’s the oil in poison ivy that causes the symptoms you’re now experiencing.
Now that you’re here, you’ll learn various over-the-counter and home remedies for poison ivy, oak, and sumac.
We’ll show you strategies you can use to relieve the symptoms. Luckily, a lot of them are things you already have at your disposal.
Contents
13 Best Home Remedies to Get Rid of Poison Ivy in One Day
Poison Ivy Symptoms
Unless you’re sure you came in contact with the poison ivy plant, you might not know until the symptoms appear; and it’s not immediate.
It might take up to 2 weeks before you develop a rash.
However, if you have had poison ivy on your skin in the past, the symptoms will take about 24 to 48 hours to appear.
There have been instances where it appears between 4 to 96 hours, though.
The symptoms of poison ivy or oak rash are:
- Small red bumps that turn into blisters
- Intense itching
- Symptoms can occur on any part of the body that comes in contact with the plant
- Can form any shape, pattern, or even a linear streak
- The rash can break out in different areas at different times, making it look like poison ivy rash stages. That doesn’t indicate spreading; the blister fluid doesn’t spread the rash
Is Poison Ivy Contagious?
Poison ivy is not contagious in the sense that a person exhibiting the symptom can infect another.
However, the oil (urushiol) is so tenacious it can stick to almost any surface that comes in contact with it.
That way, if anyone comes in contact with the oil will show symptoms.
Even though it isn’t contagious, treat it like it is. Clean everything in your possession at the time you think you might have come in contact with it.
That includes your clothing, bag, cell phone, pets, etc. This is so because urushiol is present in every part of the poison ivy plant.
How Do you Cure Poison Ivy Fast?
Poison ivy symptoms will go on their own in about 2 to 3 weeks. However, we’re sure you don’t want to endure the inconvenience for that long.
In most cases, at-home poison ivy treatments are all you need. Keep reading to learn the different remedies to get rid of poison ivy at home.
1. Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide for poison ivy is a good home remedy. Pour 3% hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle and apply a few squirts over the affected area. Let it air dry and it’ll relieve the rashes and itching.
2. Outdoor Joe’s Oral Solution
This is an effective homeopathic remedy for poison ivy. It contains Rhus Toxicodendron, which reduces your sensitivity to poison ivy.
This makes it one of the best remedies for poison ivy because it alleviates the root cause.
3. Epsom Salt Bath to Get Rid Poison Ivy
Epsom salt bath for poison ivy is quite effective for reducing the intensity of the itch and prevents further outbreak.
Add 2 cups of Epsom salt to a full bathtub and soak yourself in it.
4. Go Herbal
Mix a tablespoon of turmeric with equal parts of lemon juice into a paste.
Apply it onto the affected areas and let it dry up naturally.
Afterward, rinse it off. People have claimed this herbal remedy for poison ivy to be effective.
5. Cool Water Compress
This is a temporary home remedy for poison ivy in the eyes.
Yes, you can get it in your eyes if you have the urushiol on your hand and you put it to your eyes.
If that happens, use a cold compress as soon as you can.
Don’t stop at that, though. Go to the hospital immediately and have a doctor check you out. You don’t want to take chances with your eyes.
6. Baking Soda to Get Rid of Poison Ivy
Sodium bicarbonate is also an excellent remedy to get rid of poison ivy.
It helps the body strengthen its anti-inflammatory response, making baking soda a go-to home remedy for poison ivy.
Mix 3 teaspoons of baking soda with 1 teaspoon of water into a paste and apply it to the affected area. Allow it to dry into a flake.
7. Hydrocortisone Cream
This is one of the best over-the-counter cures for poison ivy.
Simply apply it to the affected area. Use this as one of the first remedies to get rid of poison ivy.
This poison ivy treatment cream most medical practitioners will recommend.
8. Rubbing Alcohol
This is a great way to prevent the spread of poison ivy.
When you come in contact with poison ivy, applying rubbing alcohol may help remove urushiol from your skin and other surfaces you apply it.
FDA states that the oil may stay on a surface for a long time, up to years unless you treat the surface with water or rubbing alcohol.
9. Oatmeal Bath for Poison Ivy
Oatmeal has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
This makes it a decent poison ivy swelling treatment. Add oatmeal to lukewarm bathwater.
You could also apply colloidal oatmeal to the skin area with the rash.
10. Bentonite Clay Poison Ivy
You may find a product with this in your local cosmetic store. It’s a natural clay that users have reported to be an effective poison ivy rash cure.
A study suggested that using quaternium-18 bentonite, a modified version of the clay may be a remedy for poison ivy and oak.
11. Oral Antihistamines to Get Rid of Poison Ivy
These over-the-counter drugs can be effective remedies to get rid of poison ivy.
Benadryl is a good example of a drug that reduces itching, rash, and inflammation.
Kindly note that according to American Academy of Dermatology, don’t apply topical antihistamines to rashes, as they may worsen it.
12. Banana Peel
No, we’re not kidding. The banana peel works as a remedy to get rid of poison ivy.
A 2012 study revealed that extracts from banana peel have anti-inflammatory properties.
13. Calamine Lotion
This is one of the best remedies for poison oak. Simply apply the lotion to the affected area and let it dry naturally.
It will reduce swelling and itching.
Also, Read – 12 Home Remedies for Chigger Bites Fast Relief at Home
Find Here– Poison Ivy Cream
Conclusion
Poison ivy reaction is no fun at all. However, these remedies to get rid of poison ivy will help you cope with the condition fast.
You need to see a doctor if you get a high fever with poison ivy rash. Combine multiple treatments if you have to. The aim is to get rid of the symptoms as quickly as possible.
