[toc]Poison ivy is a deadly plant that is mostly found in the United States of America and Canada. Millions of people living there are allergic to this plant. There is urushiol oil present in the plant and leaves that is poisonous. This plant is especially found in the east of the Rockies. On the contact with this plant, leads to a skin disease known as contact dermatitis. The contact and exposure to this plant leads to an itchy rash that takes almost three weeks to completely get cured. The rash that develops on touching the plant are red bumps or blisters that ooze a kind of liquid when touched or scratched. The person infected will feel intense itching and swelling of the affected area. This is not a serious problem but it is definitely very painful. Below are certain tips to help you through the course of this problem.
12 Ways To Cure Poison Ivy
Take A Shower
If you know that you have been exposed to the plant poison ivy, then the first step would be to go to your bathroom. Take all your clothes off gently. This is because the urushiol oil has also touched your clothes and you do not want another area of your body to get affected. There is a saying that if you wash off the affected area immediately then there are less chances of acquiring this disease. However, take your clothes off completely without letting them touch any other part of your body. Take a shower immediately.
Take Natural Antihistamines
Another best thing that you can do if you were exposed to the poison ivy is to take natural antihistamines. Grape seed extract, green tea and vitamin C must be on the top of your list. You take all these items at the same time. Follow the instructions on the grape seed extract package and vitamin C package. Drink lots of green tea throughout the day.
Calamine Lotion
You can apply calamine lotion to the affected area. This lotion is a natural healer. You will just have to dab some of the calamine lotion on a cotton ball and dab it all over the affected area you can also put the liquid of witch hazel extract on the affected area before you put the calamine lotion.
Jewel Weed
The nature’s answer to poison ivy is another plant known by the name of jewel weed. This is a natural antidote to the poison of the plant. You will first have to learn to identify the plant. Get yourself a good guide or a plant lover to identify the medicinal herb for you. You can get the weed home and crush it, apply directly on the affected areas. These days you might also find a topical lotion that has jewel weed as an ingredient.
Dish Liquid
If your skin has come into contact with this deadly plant then you will have to immediately wash the area properly. Take the help of a grease cutting dish wash liquid and lots of cold water. Rinse really well with the help of cold water and dab your skin dry gently. This harsh dish washing liquid will help in breaking down the urushiol oil before it can penetrate into the skin.
Oatmeal
You will have to boil the oatmeal in water and let it cool down for some time. Into this mixture, you will have to stir in baking soda and make a thick paste. Apply this mixture on the affected area when it is warm and try it over the whole area into a thick layer. Let the oatmeal mixture dry up and become hard. After the mixture dries off, you can wash your area with the help of cold water. Dab yourself dry very gently. This medicine will relieve the itching and dry the rash quickly.
Baking Soda
This is a very powerful medicine. This is more powerful than any of the topical creams and helps in fading the scars completely. You can mix three teaspoons of baking soda with water and form a thick paste. Apply this mixture on the affected area and allow it to dry completely. When the mixture is dry, you can wash off with the help of cold water and dab yourself dry gently. This will help in relieving itching and drying up of the rash.
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is a natural agent that helps in relieving the itching and healing rash faster. You can apply the gel of Aloe Vera directly on the affected areas. This will help in relieving you off the itching greatly. You can directly use the plant or buy the gel from a supermarket.
Rubbing Alcohol
If your affected area develops blisters then you must rub the area with some alcohol. This will help in drying up of the blisters faster. Dab a little alcohol on the cotton ball and rub it all over the affected area. This will put a stop to itching, and also dry the terrible blisters. You can do this therapy several times a day for fast relief.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a natural soother for the itching of the rash caused by poison ivy. You will have to take a cotton ball and dab it with some apple cider vinegar. Now apply this on the affected area of the skin.
Oral Antihistamines
You can also take oral anti-histamines for relieving the rash of poison ivy. Benadryl is a good option and it is easily available over the counter at many pharmacies. Take the dosage as directed on the package. This medicine will actually block the histamines of poison ivy that are causing the rash.
Preventions
All the clothes and your shoes that came into contact with this deadly plant must be washed immediately with hot water and soap. Doing this will remove all the traces of the urushiol oil from your house. You will have to be very careful when undressing from these clothes and shoes. Wash these clothes and shoes separately and carefully.
