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Home remedies for poison ivy relief

Home remedies for poison ivy relief

Poison ivy is a plant which causes rashes and irritation when you come in contact with any part of it. The plant contains substances which you might be allergic to, thus causing a mild or severe reaction depending on the sensitivity of your skin.

It is estimated that almost 85% of the people in the country are allergic to poision ivy, which is why the following home remedies might come in handy for providing quick poison ivy relief.

Rinsing with water: The first thing to do after you have come in contact with the oil from poison ivy is rinsing the area thoroughly with lukewarm soapy water. Rinsing will help clean the oil residue which would have otherwise penetrated your skin, causing rashes and irritation due to the substance slowly spreading.

Aloe Vera: Aloe Vera is a highly versatile ingredient which has natural cooling properties, normally used to treat sunburn. Aloe vera gel has also been proven as a quick poison ivy relief since it helps soothe inflammation and controls the itching.

Baking soda: A thick mixture of baking soda and water can be applied to the affected area which will help relieve the pain and irritation. Poison ivy also causes the skin to blister and pop out, which is why using a diluted mixture of this remedy is also recommended. Gauze soaked in a baking soda water bath can be applied over the blisters with little pressure to clean and provide quick poison ivy relief without creating too much of a mess.

Apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar is naturally rich in medicinal properties which make it an effective counter to control the poison and prevent it from causing any infection or aggravated skin conditions. Soaking a brown paper bag in apple cider vinegar and applying it to the rash and affected area will help absorb the toxins.

Alchohol: Alchohol can be alternatively used to clean out wounds and prevent any infection from spreading. A chemical compound called urushiol is responsible for causing the rashes and irritation when you come in contact with poison ivy. Cleaning the affected area with alcohol directly will prevent the poison from penetrating deep into your skin, to provide quick poison ivy relief.

Cold compress: Applying a cool compress will help relieve the itching and irritation, providing quick poison ivy relief. This is just as efficient as taking periodic lukewarm showers to wash off the oil residue on the surface of your skin.