10 Home Remedies for Poison Ivy

Poison ivy, as the name suggests, is a plant known for being a skin irritant. It is a common weed that grows on lawns, on sidewalks, and in the woods.

Coming into contact with this plant can lead to an annoying and itchy skin rash that can persist for days at times. (1)

This article shares common home remedies to help you manage a poison ivy rash.

What Is Poison Ivy?

Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) is commonly found all over North America, and it is one of the leading causes of allergic skin reactions in the continent. (1) This plant belongs to the cashew family and is a close relative of the poison oak tree and poison sumac. (2)

What Causes a Poison Ivy Rash?

The poison ivy plant secretes a sap that contains urushiol, which is a toxic substance that can irritate the skin and cause an itchy red rash. Urushiol can linger onto one’s clothing, pet fur, tools, etc., and can remain active for months. (3)

Home Remedies to Help Soothe a Poison Ivy Rash

If your poison ivy rash is mild and does not look like it would require medical intervention, you can try some common home remedies to quicken the healing process.

Here are a few effective natural remedies for poison ivy rashes: (4)

1. Use cucumber topically

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) is filled with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that help relieve inflammation. Cucumber juice contains vitamin C, which helps cleanse the skin and reduce irritation and itching. (5)

How to use:

1. Apply freshly cut cucumber slices, cucumber juice, or ground cucumber paste to the affected area.
2. Let it sit for at least half an hour.
3. Rinse it off with cool water.

2. Apply aloe vera gel

Aloe vera gel is a wonderful remedy for almost all skin ailments. It is rich in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds, water, and minerals.

The rich vitamin E content of aloe vera nourishes the skin and boosts collagen production. This can help heal wounds such as burns, cuts, and insect bites. Moreover, aloe vera gel has cooling properties that can provide relief from skin irritation. (6)(7)

How to use:

1. Apply aloe vera gel directly to the affected area.
2. Let it sit for 20 minutes before washing off with cool water.
3. Repeat twice a day.

3. Rub a banana peel over the affected area

Banana peels are loaded with phenolic compounds, anti-inflammatory compounds, antioxidants, and carotenoids, all of which can help soothe the skin and provide quick relief from irritation. They also promote skin rejuvenation and healing of blisters. (8)

How to use:

1. Rub the inside of a banana peel over the affected area for 5–10 minutes.
2. Repeat twice a day for best results.

4. Take a colloidal oatmeal bath

Oatmeal baths are one of the most effective remedies for any rash. They are helpful in providing relief from dermatitis, eczema, skin allergies, etc.

Colloidal oatmeal contains antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, saponins that help cleanse the skin, and phenols that help absorb water and hydrate the skin. (9)

How to use:

1. Grind 1 cup of oatmeal and add it to your bath water.
2. Soak in this warm water for 15 minutes.
3. Washing it off with a mild soap.

5. Apply witch hazel

Witch hazel is another traditional remedy for rashes. It is filled with tannins that have astringent and anti-inflammatory properties. Witch hazel oil is a quick and easy way to get rid of skin irritation. (7)

How to use:

1. Dip a cotton ball in some witch hazel oil or extract.
2. Apply this to the rashes and let it sit for 10–15 minutes.

6. Try essential oils such as peppermint oil, tea tree oil, and lavender oil

Essential oils are plant oils extracted from their leaves, stem, flowers, or roots. They are replete with beneficial plant compounds and usually have characteristic aromas.

Many essential oils possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. Some common essential oils that can help soothe a poison ivy rash are lavender oil, chamomile oil, and peppermint oil. (10)

How to use:

1. Mix 1–2 drops of lavender oil, peppermint oil, and tea tree oil together.
2. Add 1 teaspoon of coconut oil to this mixture.
3. Apply this oil blend to the affected area twice a day.

7. Use some turmeric

Turmeric contains a plant compound called curcumin, which is an excellent anti-inflammatory agent. It promotes skin healing and prevents infections.

Turmeric has been used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema and dermatitis. (11)

How to use:

• Mix turmeric with water to make a paste, and apply it directly to the affected area.
• Alternatively, you can make turmeric milk by adding 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder to a glass of milk. Drink it once a day to boost your immunity and treat inflammation.

8. Try using jewelweed

Jewelweed has been used by native Indians to relieve poison ivy rashes for centuries. It contains a high amount of saponins that cleanse the area and help get rid of urushiol, the toxic compound that causes the rash. (12)

How to use:

1. If you have access to fresh jewelweed leaves and flowers, you can use them to make a tincture or paste that you can apply to the affected area.
2. Since jewelweed is rare to come by, you can use store-bought jewelweed soaps to cleanse the area.

9. Give comfrey a try

Comfrey is an herb that grows in specific temperate climates and is recognized by its purplish red flowers. Comfrey root contains phenolic compounds and allantoin, both of which relieve inflammation and itching and thus provide relief from rashes. (7)

How to use:

• Prepare a comfrey salve by grinding it up or buy a commercially made one to apply to the rash.
• Alternatively, you can drink comfrey tea.

10. Consume nettle leaf capsules

Nettle leaves have potent anti-inflammatory properties that help fight inflammation and irritation. They contain a compound called quercetin, which acts as a natural antihistamine.

Nettle leaves are widely used to cure rashes and itching. (13)

How to use:

Consume a couple of dried nettle leaf capsules twice or thrice a day for 2 days.

Symptoms of a Poison Ivy Rash

Some common symptoms of a poison ivy rash can occur within a day or two of exposure to the plant. They include:

Try not to scratch the rash or touch the blisters as this can lead to secondary skin infections.

Treatment for a Poison Ivy Rash

If you have any suspicious rash on your skin, it is best to consult a dermatologist and confirm whether it is a poison ivy rash before starting treatment. The doctor will be able to give you an accurate diagnosis and the appropriate medication. (4)

The most common treatment for a poison ivy rash includes some or all of the following medications:

Other Poison Ivy Tips You Must Know

Here are a few extra measures to help you manage a poison ivy rash quickly:

• Immediately rinse your skin with lukewarm, soapy water. If you accidentally come in contact with poison ivy, make sure to wash the affected area thoroughly with some warm water and soap. While this may not heal it, it will help get rid of the irritation a little bit.
• Wash your clothing. Immediately change out of your clothes as the toxic compounds can cling onto them and irritate your skin further.
• Leave blisters alone. Do not scratch or touch the blisters to avoid bacterial infections.
• Take short, lukewarm baths. Take a quick oatmeal bath in the way described above.
• Use calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream. Topical treatments such as calamine lotion and hydrocortisone cream can help relieve the itch and provide temporary relief.
• Apply cool compresses to the itchy skin. Soak a clean cotton cloth in some cold water and apply it to the area.
• Consider taking antihistamine pills. Your doctor may prescribe antihistamine pills to relieve the itch.

Measures to Prevent Poison Ivy Rash

If you live in an area that has a lot of poison ivy, follow these tips to prevent poison ivy rashes:

1. Cover up with clothing: Try to keep as much of your skin covered as possible. Wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, and gloves.
2. Apply an ivy blocker to your skin: Ivy blockers can be found in most stores and pharmacies nowadays. Use it, especially when you need to go to a place with a lot of greenery.
3. Avoid the plant. Learn to recognize poison ivy by its characteristic appearance so you can avoid it.

Most-Asked Questions About a Poison Ivy Rash

Can I use apple cider vinegar to treat a poison ivy rash?

Yes, apple cider vinegar is a good remedy for itching and inflammation. Use it after diluting it with some water to avoid further irritating the skin.

Can I use DMSO?

Yes, DMSO helps break down the toxic compound urushiol that causes the rash. However, do not use it at very high concentrations.

Can I rub alcohol on poison ivy?

Yes, rubbing alcohol can also help get rid of some of the urushiol from the rash.

What are the possible complications of a poison ivy rash?

Rarely, some people may experience a severe allergic reaction to poison ivy. Symptoms of anaphylactic shock include trouble breathing and extreme swelling. This condition requires immediate medical attention so the person should be taken to the hospital right away.