Poison ivy refers to a condition characterized by severe itching, pain, blisters and swelling on skin. When human skin comes in contact with certain plant toxins (such as, urushiol), it infects the skin and produces rashes on it.
The infections might spread in other parts if not treated in time. Following are some of the best natural remedies for poison ivy.
Natural Cure For Poison Ivy
Watermelon Rind
Watermelon rind is very cooling on the skin. You can prepare a paste using watermelon rinds and apply it to the infected areas. It feels cold on the skin and relieves you from heated itching. In addition to that, it also fights against the infection and reduces its severity.
Organic Cucumber
Organic cucumber has similar cooling effects as do watermelon rinds. But, besides using cucumber paste on poison ivy rashes, you can also put slices of cucumber on the infected areas. Both these remedies are equally beneficial in relieving poison ivy rashes.
Banana Peel
The cooling effect of the inside of banana peel is also very beneficial in relieving the symptoms of poison ivy. Rubbing the inside of banana peels on the itchy rashes will bring you soothing relief from itchiness. It reduces blisters and speeds up the healing process.
Organic Witch Hazel
Place a few drops of witch hazel extracts on a fresh cotton ball and then press it lightly on the infected areas. It will also relieve itchiness and prevent poison ivy rashes from spreading.
Himalayan Crystal Salt
When the skin gets infected with poison ivy, it becomes wet and inflamed. Himalayan crystal salt has the natural ability to dry the skin and to pull poison out of the skin. Mix Himalayan salt with purified water and prepare a paste. Rub this paste on the skin areas infected with poison ivy. Alternatively, you can also add Himalayan crystal salt in warm bath water. Soak in this water daily for half an hour.
Organic Goldenseal
Though goldenseal can be used in various ways, it brings best results against poison ivy when taken in the form of supplements or tea. However, an alternative way is to prepare a paste by mixing powdered goldenseal root with hot water and then rub it on the poison ivy rashes. It prevents the infections from spreading, reduces its severity and relieves itchiness, inflammation and swelling.
Aloe Vera Gel
The gel extracted from the inner flesh of aloe vera leaves can also be very effective in treating poison ivy. You can rub this gel directly on the infected areas, but taking it in the form of supplements works faster. It improves your body’s natural ability to fight against skin infections. It relieves inflammation and makes your skin healthier from inside.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Prepare a vinegar paste by mixing one tsp. of apple cider vinegar in warm water. Wrap this paste in a thin soft cotton towel. Now, apply this warm vinegar compress to the infected areas. You can use it several times a day as needed. It doesn’t just relieve inflammation, itchiness and swelling but it also sucks the poison out of the skin pores. The toxic-pulling actions of apple cider vinegar make it one of the most effective natural remedies for poison ivy.
Oatmeal Paste
Mix a small amount of oatmeal in water. Heat it until it turns into a form of thick paste. When the paste is still reasonably warm, apply it directly to the infected skin. Use a fresh cotton ball instead of your finger to apply the paste. When you apply the warm paste, it sticks to the skin, sucks the toxins, dries the skin and eventually leaves the infected areas relieved to a great extent. For better results, you can also consider mixing one tsp. of baking soda with the paste.
Baking Soda
Mix one tsp. of water and three tsp. of baking soda together to prepare a paste. Rub this paste gently on the infected areas using a clean cotton ball. An alternative way is to mix half cup of baking soda in warm bath water. Soaking in this bath water is equally beneficial. The irritation, inflammation, swelling and itching caused by poison ivy can be relieved to a great extent using both these remedies.
Coffee
Pouring cold black coffee on poison ivy rashes can also prove to be very effective. In fact, you can even consider washing the infected areas with strongly brewed coffee (after it cools down). The anti-inflammatory properties of chlorogenic (an important substance found in coffee beans) relieves itching and inflammation. This remedy also helps in washing the toxins away.
Chamomile Tea Bags
Put dozens of chamomile tea bags in bath water. Soak in this bath water for 20-30 minutes everyday. It will be very helpful in drying the blisters. It also sucks the toxins out of the skin. This is one of the best natural remedy for poison ivy rashes because it does not just relieve itchiness, swelling and inflammation but it also cures the actual infection.
Acorns
Steep some cracked acorns in boiling water for twenty minutes. Filter the liquid and wash the infected skin areas with it thoroughly. Since acorns contain tannins, it brings drying and soothing effects on the inflamed skin.
Calendula
Rubbing calendula lotion on the poison ivy rashes helps the skin to heal faster, prevents the infection from spreading and reduces the severity of itchiness and blisters.
Lemons
Applying lemon juice directly to the infected areas is one of the simplest yet very powerful natural remedies for poison ivy. It alleviates the rashes and soothes itchiness.
Potato
Potatoes have also been found to be very useful in treating different types of skin infections, including poison ivy. Put some slices of potatoes and water in a mixer and prepare a thick paste. Apply this paste to the rashes several times a day. The paste sucks away the toxins and when it dries up, it dries the skin too. This way, besides relieving itchiness and other symptoms of poison ivy, this remedy also accelerates the healing process.
Buttermilk
You can prepare another strong ointment for poison ivy rashes by mixing equal quantities of vinegar, salt and buttermilk together. Applying this paste to the affected areas soothes inflammation and itchiness by drying up the skin.
If you know that you have come in contact with poison ivy, you should immediately wash the skin with cold water. When you do it immediately, you can cure the problem before it gets worse.
Caution: Please use Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.
