Old Home Remedies

With Reflexologist Nuria Weaver

Home Remedies for Poison Ivy

Poison oak or ivy is a plant found in North America. Scientifically it is known as "Toxicodendron diversilobum". Its leaves are divided into three densely haired leaflets and three to seven distinct lobes. This plant produces urushiol which is a skin irritant responsible for causing itching rash in most of the people. The weeds cause an allergic reaction when people come in contact with the plant. This is not a contagious disease but creates lot of trouble for infected persons. Young people with fair complexion get affected easily compared to others.

Causes of poison ivy area as follows:

Poison oak
Poison ivy
Poison sumac
Direct contact with the stem, roots, leaves or berries of the plant
Contact with the urushiol oil
Indirect contact with sap
Contact with substance on which urushiol was present such as garden tools, fur etc.
Inhaling the smoke resulted from burning of a poison ivy plant

Symptoms of poison ivy are as follows:

Irritation on skin'
Redness
Swelling
Blistering
Excessive itching
Blisters and vesicles that are fluids filled
Excessive allergic complications both on the skin and inside the body
General sweating
Headache
Infection
Fever

Children build up the symptoms of poison ivy after getting exposed to the stems, roots and leaves of a poison ivy plant. The symptoms start appearing from the place of the skin that comes in contact with the plant.

Poison ivy can be cured at home with simple home remedies for poison ivy which are as follows:

Take a cup of sunflower oil add fresh fever few blossoms. Place this mixture in a pan and put it on flame. Bring it to boil and reduce the heat. Allow it to simmer for 2-3 minutes. After the solution cools down add 8 chopped garlic to it. Store this mixture in a jar and place it on a window sill for 2 weeks. Everyday shake it once and use it on the affected area. This is one of the beneficial home remedies for poison ivy.
Put washed leaves of a sweet fern in boiling water. Sheer for 2 minutes and strain the mixture. Apply this mixture on the affected area. This is one of the positive home remedies for poison ivy.
Garlic oil helps to cure poison ivy. Apply garlic oil over the affected area to remove poison ivy completely.
Moisten the infected area with little water. Then rub the area with table salt. This will prevent the poison ivy from spreading and will also provide relief. This is the quickest of all home remedies for poison ivy.
Rub the inner side of a banana peel on the rash. Banana peels are very effective in treating poison ivy.
Put 3 cups oats in a bowl of warm water. Immerse the infected area in the solution. Then rub it slightly. This would provide relief from itching. This is one of the positive home remedies for poison ivy.
In 3/4 cup of warm water add 1/4 cup of bleach. With a wash cloth apply the solution on the affected area. It will take 2-3 days for killing the poison ivy. This is one of the top home remedies for poison ivy.
Apply aloe Vera juice over the affected area. It is also very efficient in killing poison ivy.
Take freshly cut stems of Jewelweed plant and rub it over the affected area. This would provide instant relief and cure itching. You can also make an infusion by putting a handful of the plant material in 2 cup of water. Allow it to boil and simmer for 15 minutes. Let it cool. Strain and apply the solution to the affected area. This is an effective natural remedy for poison ivy.
Prepare a thick paste by mixing oatmeal with warm water. Apply the paste over the rash area of poison ivy. Let it dry. Wash with cool water. This is one of the successful home remedies for poison ivy.
Prepare a paste by mixing baking soda with water. Apply the paste over the poison ivy affected area. Let it dry and rinse with cold water. This is also one of the simplest and quickest of all home remedies for poison ivy.
Wash the affected area under the running water. It will help the histamines to wash away and relief itching.
You can also use honey. It is a great healer and will stop itching and burning of the rash.
Combine equal parts of salt, vinegar and buttermilk. Rub this solution into the rash. It may be little painful at first but will soothe itching and provide immense relief.

Do not scratch as it is not going to help. In case you scratch the blisters there is a chance of getting an infection along with rash and everything. Usually the rash gets clear within 7 to 14 days. Try to avoid poison ivy in the summer and not get a rash at all. But in case you do try the home remedies for poison ivy and get rid of the problem naturally.