Poison Ivy/Oak

Poison oak or ivy, as it is known as, is a plant that is mostly found in North America. It has leaves divided into three densely haired leaflets, with three to seven distinct lobes. There is an oil in the woody vine which produces urushiol, a skin irritant that causes an itching rash in most people. The weeds of the plant cause allergic reactions when people come in contact with it. Itching, inflammation, redness, swollenness and blistering of the skin are some of the many symptoms of poison ivy. However, poison ivy can be easily treated at home.

Here I have compiled a list of a few home remedy things to hopefully help with the itching and the spread of the rash:

 

Home Remedy for Poison Ivy

• In a cup of sunflower oil, put a cup of fresh feverfew blossoms. Put this in a pan and place on flame. After it comes to a boil, reduce the heat and allow it to simmer for 2-3 minutes. When it has cooled down, add 8 well-chopped garlic cloves. Store this mixture in a jar and keep it on a window sill for 2 weeks. Make sure you shake it once every day. Use it on the affected area.
• Peel a banana and rub the inner side of the peel on the rash. This will prove effective in helping to curing the poison ivy.
• Put the infected area under running water. This would wash away histamines, which cause itching of skin.
• In a bowl of warm water, put 3 cups oats. Now, soak the infected area in this solution and rub it slightly. This should be able to provide immense relief from itching.
• Try applying Aloe Vera juice over the affected area. Aloe Vera Juice is also beneficial in curing poison ivy.
• Rub the fresh cut stems of Jewelweed plant over the rash. Doing this should provide instant relief from the itching.
• Mix oatmeal and warm water, to form a thick paste. Apply this paste over the poison ivy rash and allow it to dry. Rinse off with cool water.
• Try taking the itch away by making a thick type paste from 3 teaspoons baking soda and 1 teaspoon water and apply it to the affected areas.
• Have blisters that are oozing from the rash, try mixing 2 teaspoons of baking soda to 1 quart of water and use it to saturate a few sterile gauze pads and cover the blisters with the wet gauze for 10 minutes, up to 4 times a day. Do not get near your eyes.
• Try dishwashing liquid, apply liberally to the affected area and simply wash it off with cool water.