Aloe Vera You might be familiar with using aloe to soothe sunburnt skin. Well, it can have the same soothing and calming effect on poison ivy rashes, too, thanks to its cooling and anti-inflammatory properties.
Applying Aloe Vera for poison ivy can help relieve some of the uncomfortable symptoms and also support the natural healing process, too. Of the many treatments available to ease the rash and itching, Aloe Vera is both effective and natural.
Applying topical OTC skin protectants, such as zinc acetate, zinc carbonate, zinc oxide, and calamine dry the oozing and weeping of poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. Protectants such as baking soda or colloidal oatmeal relieve minor irritation and itching. Aluminum acetate is an astringent that relieves rash.
A great many plants have been used historically to treat skin inflammations like poison oak and poison ivy dermatitis. Examples include calendula (Calendula officinalis), blood root (Sanguinaria canadensis), Virginia snakeroot (Aristolachia serpentaria), holy basil (Ocimum tenuifolium), and chickweed (Stellaria media).
Use a natural spray.
Dissolve one cup salt in a gallon of water and add a tablespoon of dish soap to create a solution that can be sprayed on poison ivy. While this method of killing poison ivy is effective in the short run, it will probably require future treatments to keep the ivy at bay.
To eradicate poison oak and poison ivy chemically, use an herbicide that contains glyphosate, triclopyr, or a 3-way herbicide that contains 2,4-D amine, dicamba, and mecoprop. See Table 1 for products containing these active ingredients. These herbicides can kill desirable plants, so be careful.
If you are exposed to poison ivy or the oil, wash thoroughly with soap and water as soon as possible to get rid of the oils fast. Remember to get under the fingernails as well. Rubbing alcohol may also be used to dissolve and remove the oils from the skin.
Vinegar Works, Too
Wondering about a poison ivy treatment using common household items? A vinegar compress is good for drying the poison ivy rash and soothing the itching, says Robert Sommer, M.D., a dermatologist in Portland, Maine.
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.
The symptoms are worse within 1 to 14 days after touching the plant, but they can develop up to 21 days later if one has never been exposed to urushiol before. The blisters can occur at different times in different people; blisters can develop on the arms several days after blisters on the hands developed.
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.
How long does a rash from poison ivy, oak, or sumac last? Previous rash from poison ivy, oak, or sumac: The rash tends to last 1 to 14 days before it clears on its own.
The truth is that poison ivy cannot enter your bloodstream. This myth is popular because urushiol can easily spread from one body part to another just by touching it. The rash will actually only appear wherever contact has been made. So, while it can be a real pain, poison ivy can't actually get under your skin.
Moisten a plain old tea bag (black or green, it doesn't matter) and apply it to the itchy skin. The tannic acid in tea, which is astringent, helps contract inflamed tissue, and relieve the itching.
Use calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream.
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.
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.
Typically, the skin becomes red, itchy, and swollen and blisters will appear. After a few days, the blisters may become crusty and start to flake off. The rash that people get from poison ivy can take 2 to 3 weeks to heal.
Poison ivy rash often appears in a straight line because of the way the plant brushes against your skin. But if you develop a rash after touching a piece of clothing or pet fur that has urushiol on it, the rash may be more spread out. You can also transfer the oil to other parts of your body with your fingers.
Most rashes caused by poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac are mild and last from five to 12 days. In severe cases, the rash can last for 30 days or longer.
Home Remedies for Poison Ivy, Oak, or Sumac
To help with oozing problems, try over-the-counter creams or lotions that you put on the rash, such as those that contain: Aluminum acetate (Burow's solution) Aluminum sulfate. Calcium acetate.