Top Poison Ivy Treatments

Poison ivy plants growing in forest - common poisonous plant in North America

You just came back to the campsite after a long, relaxing hike through the woods; suddenly, you feel an intense, burning itch around your ankles. A mosquito bite, perhaps? That is your first guess, but when you glance down at the irritated area you see a spreading rash rather than the raised bump of an insect bite. As you continue to scratch, hoping to relieve the persistent itching, the skin swells and turns an even deeper shade of red. There is no doubt about it -- you are having an allergic reaction to urushiol, an oily toxin found on the leaves of poison ivy. Thankfully, there are plenty of homemade and pharmaceutical treatments available to quickly sooth your skin, so you can get back to your vacation in no time!

Prevention -- the best treatment of all

The most effective way to "treat" your poison ivy is to avoid exposing your skin to it in the first place! The simplest way to protect your skin while camping, or even just doing yardwork outdoors, is to wear clothing that provides full coverage. This means wearing pants instead of shorts, even if it is a hot day. If your pants tend to lift up past your ankles when you are moving around, make sure you wear socks as well. The appropriate foot gear is important, too; for instance, sandals are best traded for sneakers or boots. Cover your hands with gloves, and remember not to touch your face or rub your eyes after you are finished with your yardwork, since the irritating oil can easily transfer to those delicate areas.

Remember to wash your clothes immediately after possible exposure to poison ivy toxins, otherwise you can spread the irritating oil onto other surfaces in your home or even onto your skin.

Homemade remedies

Despite your best efforts, your skin might still get exposed to poison ivy -- now what? If you are not near a pharmacy or want to save money, there are several effective treatments that are made out of common kitchen ingredients. With these self-care methods, the rash usually goes away within two to four weeks. One of the most trusted and time-proven remedies is a cool bath in a tub of water mixed with oatmeal -- yes, the breakfast cereal! Simply grind up the oatmeal flakes into a fine powder with a blender, then dissolve directly in the bath water. It is important to keep the water cool, as warmer temperatures can further irritate your skin. Another potent ingredient that most people keep in their pantries is baking soda. It is soothing to the skin when mixed in a bath of cool water. Soak the infected areas, and breathe a sigh of relief when the itching and burning is relieved. Continue this treatment for as long as it takes for your skin to heal. For information on quantities of oatmeal or baking soda to use in a bath, visit this website: http://babyparenting.about.com/cs/healthissues/a/oatmealbath.htm

Pharmaceutical treatments

If your poison ivy infection is severe, or has affected more delicate areas of your body, such as your eyes or the inside of your mouth, it is smart to seek the help of a doctor who can prescribe an oral corticosteroid. If you do not have any oatmeal or baking soda available or do not have a tub in your home, you can easily purchase over-the-counter creams and lotions that provide soothing relief. Look for calamine lotion or a hydrocortisone cream. Apply liberally to the infected areas, and above all, fight the urge to scratch -- it only irritates the skin further.

With a multitude of remedies available at your fingertips, your poison ivy rash is not going to cramp your active lifestyle. Find the remedy that works best for you, and keep in mind that prevention is the most effective treatment of all!

One way to "treat" poison ivy is to avoid exposing your skin to it