Soothe Rashes With an Instant Poison Ivy Home Remedy

Use a home remedy for poison to soothe irritated skin easily and cheaply using items you already have on your kitchen shelf.

Itching can be quite discomforting and bothersome and can lead to more problems if it is not taken care of at the earliest. Poison ivy is a poisonous plant that causes red rashes around the area which has come in contact with the plant. The usual symptoms are itching, blisters and inflammation, and the symptoms may appear from anywhere between a couple of hours to seven days. People with severe allergic reactions should see their doctor immediately, but most people suffering from the effects of poison ivy can just use easily available home remedies. There are several home remedies at our disposal that can ease the itching. Pick a poison ivy home remedy shown below and continue to use it until your symptoms have disappeared completely. Luckily, every home remedy for poison ivy is safe for use and has no side effects unlike most medications.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is an effective and quick poison ivy home remedy as it is easily available in most kitchens and has a soothing effect immediately. Simply take 3 teaspoons of baking soda and mix it with 1 teaspoon of water and make a thick paste. Apply this paste to the affected area and let it dry. This will provide instantaneous relief to severe itching and inflammation. If the affected area is large, then a full immersion in a baking soda water bath also brings relief. Fill a tub with warm water and sprinkle a few teaspoons of baking soda into the water, swirling it to dissolve the soda. Relax in this solution for 20 minutes to get relief.

Vinegar

Another tried and tested method is applying vinegar to the rash. It helps in two ways: it draws out the poison and also soothes the rash, helping it to heal quicker. Apple cider vinegar and/or distilled vinegar can be used for this purpose and are quite effective. If applying undiluted vinegar stings, add in some water to the vinegar and soak a washcloth in this solution. Apply the washcloth to the area for pain relief.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is another quick home remedy for poison ivy that brings instant relief. If you have an aloe plant at home, simply squeeze a freshly cut aloe leaf and apply the extract from the plant to the rash or blisters. If you do not have access to an aloe plant, you can purchase 99% pure aloe gel at most supermarkets and pharmacies. Applying this will immediately cool the rash and help soothe the affected area.

Oatmeal  

Oatmeal can be used as a great home remedy for poison ivy because of its colloidal properties and ability to dry out blisters. Boil the oatmeal in a small amount of water to achieve paste-like consistency. Let it cool until it is lukewarm and apply to the rash in a thick layer. As it dries, the oatmeal will harden. You can also add a small amount of baking soda to the water to bring extra relief to the itching.

Banana Peel

If you have bananas at home, using the inside of the banana peel to rub on the rash or blisters causes it to cool down and brings immediate relief. It is an effective method and has been confirmed by many people who have gotten great results with it. Watermelon rinds can also be used as a substitute if you do not have bananas at home.

Table Salt

Common table salt is another quick poison ivy home remedy and chances are high that if nothing else, you will have this in your kitchen. Wash the affected area and rub a bit of table salt on it. This will bring relief and also control the spread of poison.