Poison ivy can cause an annoying and itchy rash that lasts several days or weeks. As irritating as it can be, it's usually not a medical emergency, and you can treat it from home. Oatmeal baths, cool compresses, calamine lotion, or oral antihistamines can help soothe the itching.
Soak the affected area in a cool-water bath that has about a half cup (100 grams) of baking soda or an oatmeal-based bath product (Aveeno) in it. Place cool, wet compresses on the affected area for 15 to 30 minutes several times a day.
Vinegar. Dabbing apple cider vinegar on your skin can help to relieve itching and might even speed up the healing process by drying out the rash.
Applying a slurry of baking soda and water to the affected area. This can help dry out the rash and reduce itchiness. Rubbing the affected area with a raw potato. This home remedy can help draw out the oil and toxins from the skin and promote healing.
Homemade weed killer: Add 1 cup of salt, 1 tablespoon of dish soap and 1 tablespoon of vinegar into a gallon of water for a DIY weed killer spray that can kill poison ivy over time. Water method: Boil water in a kettle and carefully pour water over the plants to drown the roots.
Rubbing alcohol
Rubbing alcohol can remove the urushiol oil from the skin and other surfaces. It is a good idea to carry alcohol wipes when hiking or camping for prompt application to the affected area after poison ivy exposure.
Baking soda is a protectant that can relieve minor irritation and itching caused by poison ivy rashes. You can add one cup of baking soda to a lukewarm bath or make a paste to apply directly to the skin by mixing baking soda with a small amount of water until it is the consistency of a paste.
Previous rash from poison ivy, oak, or sumac: The rash tends to last 1 to 14 days before it clears on its own.
Wash your skin in soap and cool water as soon as possible if you come in contact with a poisonous plant. The sooner you cleanse the skin, the greater the chance that you can remove the plant oil or help prevent further spread.
At night, the body's production of corticosteroids that reduce inflammation also slows down. It releases more cytokines at night, which increases inflammation. A combination of these two factors can make night itching worse.
Talk to your doctor if you have a severe poison ivy rash or if the rash involves your face or genital area. Poison oak, poison sumac and the fruit rind of mangoes cause a similar rash.
Why is my poison ivy rash spreading? It may look like your rash is spreading, but you're actually developing new rashes on areas of skin that came into contact with urushiol oil.
In addition, a poison ivy rash, even one with open blisters, won't spread to other areas of the body. The rash only occurs on parts of the body that were actually exposed to the plant oil. Poison ivy rashes can appear to spread if urushiol oil is trapped under your fingernails and you scratch an itch.
When it comes to skin irritation from poison oak or ivy exposure, keeping the affected area uncovered is the best option. The air helps with recovery, allowing your skin to breathe.
Swimming in salty water may temporarily relieve symptoms from poison ivy, but it's not guaranteed to completely remove the plant from your skin or clothing. If you're experiencing severe itching and irritation, see a doctor for professional help before trying this home remedy yourself.
“Applying aloe vera gel or hydrocortisone cream helps cool and soothe the skin. Oral antihistamines like Benadryl can also provide temporary relief from the itching, as can intermittent use of cold packs — 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off.”
Poison ivy rashes tend to be linear lines, while eczema blisters tend to be round and merge together. Do you also suffer from asthma or hay fever? People often mistake the red, inflamed skin of eczema for temporary irritation from clothing, grass, or pets— or acne, allergies, psoriasis, and other skin conditions.
While most allergic reactions to poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac are easily managed at home, you should call your healthcare provider right away if: The rash covers all or most of your body. You are unable to stop the itching or if it feels like all of your skin is itching.
Unfortunately, there is no one good answer. The time it takes for poison ivy to stop spreading can vary depending on a number of factors. This includes the severity of your exposure and how sensitive you are to the plant's oils. However, in most cases, you can expect the rash to peak within 3-5 days after exposure.
Bathing. After coming into contact with these poison plants, showering rather than taking a bath is always recommended. As soothing as a nice, hot bath may sound, it can potentially make your rash worse.
Apple Cider Vinegar. Apple Cider Vinegar's anti-septic properties can help soothe itchy skin especially for people who suffer from psoriasis. It also works wonders as a spot treatment on bug bites.
Living with poison ivy
Most cases of poison ivy go away on their own in 1 to 3 weeks. After about a week, the blisters should start to dry up and the rash will begin to fade. Severe cases may last longer, have worse symptoms, and cover more of your body.
Serious complications from poison ivy are rare but can arise, which is why it's important to seek medical advice if the rash is widespread, if skin swelling continues and blisters ooze pus, if you are having difficulty breathing or develop a fever greater than 100F, or if the rash doesn't get better within a few weeks.
Hot showers spread poison ivy. False. Cool showers sooth an itch longer since hot water rushes blood to the affected area and gives only temporary relief.