Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Take care of your skin immediately
• Method 2 of 3: Treat the itching caused by the poison
• Method 3 of 3: Prevent future exposure
• Tips
• Warnings

Poison ivy, poison oak, and sumac are great ways to ruin a day outdoors. Their poisonous leaves, stems, and roots can give you an itchy rash that lasts for 1-3 weeks. While the only way to get rid of the rash completely is time, there are several ways to reduce the pain and itching that comes with being exposed to poison ivy.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Take care of your skin immediately

1. Take off your clothes and wash them. Take off your clothes and put them in a plastic bag if possible. Wash your clothes separately from other clothes as soon as possible.
2. Use rubbing alcohol. You can use rubbing alcohol on your skin to dissolve the poison ivy or poison oak oils. Since the poisonous oil from the plants gradually penetrates your skin, using rubbing alcohol on the area will prevent it from spreading further. It won't provide immediate relief, but it will stop the spread.
3. Rinse the area with cool water. Never use warm or hot water as this will open your pores and allow in more poison. If you can, hold the affected area under cool running water for 10-15 minutes. If you've been exposed to poison ivy or poison oak out in the woods, you can rinse your body in a running stream.
4. Clean the area completely. Regardless of the area on your body, make sure it is thoroughly rinsed with water. If you've touched the area on your skin or the poison has affected your hands, scrub your fingernails with a toothbrush in case oil from the plants underneath has gotten. Discard the toothbrush when you are done.
   • Use a dish soap used to remove grease to rinse the rash area. Since the toxins have been transferred to your skin in the form of an oil, using a grease-removing dish soap can help reduce the spread of the rash.
   • If you use a towel to dry yourself after washing the affected area, make sure to wash the towel right away with the rest of the exposed clothes immediately after use.
5. Do not scratch the rash. Although the rash isn't contagious, you could break the skin and allow bacteria to get into the wound. Do not touch or puncture any blisters that may develop, even if they exude fluid. Trim your nails short if necessary and cover the area to keep yourself from scratching.
6. Cool the affected area. Apply cold compresses or an ice pack for 10 to 15 minutes. Make sure you don't put ice directly on the skin; Always wrap your ice packs or compresses in a towel before putting them on the spot. If the rash gets wet, let the area air dry instead of rubbing it dry with a towel.

Method 2 of 3: Treat the itching caused by the poison

1. Apply creams or lotions topically. Zinc lotion, capsaicin cream or hydrocortisone cream can provide some relief from the itching. Do not do this immediately after contact with the plant (as rubbing in the lotion can spread the oils), but after a few hours or days, when the itchy feeling starts. Often sold in pharmacies labeled for arthritis pain relief, capsaicin cream burns a little at first but suppresses itching for hours on end.
2. Take an antihistamine. Antihistamine is a medication that treats allergies, and since poison oak and poison ivy cause allergic reactions on contact, taking this medication may provide some relief. Antihistamines generally only provide some relief from poison ivy symptoms, but if you take this medicine before going to bed, the combination of anti-itch and sleep-inducing effects can help you get some rest. Only use it orally, and do not apply creams to your poison ivy as this can make your rash worse.
3. Take an oatmeal bath. Use an oatmeal bath product or soak in an aluminum acetate. If you need a quick fix without running to the store, crush a cup of oatmeal in a food processor or blender and add it to your warm bath water. Avoid using water that is very hot, especially shortly after being exposed to the poison, as this will open your pores.
4. Try an acorn broth. Crack acorns and boil them in the water. Strain out the nuts, let the liquid cool and apply to your rash with a cotton ball. While this method has not been studied, it has been shown to reduce poison ivy itching.
5. Use baking soda. Make a paste consisting of 3 parts baking soda and 1 part water. Apply the paste to your rash to draw the moisture out of the blisters. Let the baking soda dry and let it crumble or flake off. Reapply this paste every few hours for best results.
6. Try to use dairy. Use whole milk or yogurt to apply to your skin unless you have a dairy allergy. When you apply whole milk or yogurt to your rash, the proteins will pull the moisture out of your blisters.
7. Treat your rash with tea. Fill a bathtub with water and add 12 tea bags to it; use chamomile tea for its anti-inflammatory properties. Soak in your tea bath for 20 minutes to help reduce itching and discomfort. You can also brew a very strong tea and dab it on your rash with a cotton ball every few hours.
8. Use chilled fruit peels. Press a cold watermelon or banana peel against your rash. The watermelon acts like a cold compress, and the juice will help dry out the blisters. In addition, using a banana peel helps to cool and soften the area.
9. Dab cold coffee on it. If you have leftover strong brewed coffee, use a cotton ball to dab it on your rash. You can also brew a fresh cup, but let the coffee cool in the fridge before applying. Coffee contains chlorogenic acid, which is a natural anti-inflammatory.
10. Rinse with apple cider vinegar. Among the many medical uses for which apple cider vinegar can be used, promoting the healing process of poison ivy rashes is one of them. Use a cotton ball to gently apply the vinegar to the area, or rinse with a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water.
11. Apply aloe vera. Aloe vera is a cactus-like plant that secretes a cooling gel in its leaves. You can use a real aloe vera plant by breaking off leaves and applying the gel directly to the rash, or use a processed bottled form. If you buy a bottle from the store, make sure it is at least 90% real aloe vera.

Method 3 of 3: Prevent future exposure

1. Learn to spot poisonous plants. Avoid plants that have the following properties:
   • Poison ivy has 3 shiny green leaves and a red stem. It grows like a climbing plant and is only found in the wild on a dike in Friesland in the Netherlands. However, they are sometimes kept in gardens.
     
     
   • Poison oak grows like a shrub and has 3 leaves just like poison ivy.Poison oak is not found in the Netherlands, but is typically found on the west coast of America.
     
     
   • Sumac is a woody shrub with 7 to 13 leaves in pairs. This one does not occur in the Netherlands either, it grows abundantly along the Mississippi River.
     
     
2. Wash your pets if they are exposed to the plants. Pets are not sensitive to poison ivy or poison oak, but if the oils are on their coats, they can cause an allergic reaction in anyone who pets them. Use animal shampoo and wear rubber gloves when giving them a bath.
3. Bring preventive remedies. If you are hiking or camping in an area where poison ivy grows, bring extra bottles of cold water and rubbing alcohol. Applying both of these immediately after contact will greatly reduce the spread and pain from exposure.
4. Dress appropriately if you enter an area where you think you can find poison ivy or poison oak. Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks. Make sure to wear closed-toed shoes and always bring a spare set of clothing in case of an accident.

Tips

• Do not burn poison ivy plants. The oil is evaporated and if you inhale it it can cause a rash on the lung tissue which in extreme cases results in breathing problems. Anyway, very dangerous.
• If a child develops a poison ivy, poison oak, or sumac rash, cut his or her fingernails very short to avoid skin damage from scratching.
• Don't skip the step of washing your clothes and tools or washing your pet. The resin from poison ivy and poison oak can stay on objects for up to 5 years, which can cause a new allergic reaction when your skin comes into contact with it.
• Spray deodorant on your arms and legs before going out. It closes your pores and the poison ivy oil does not get into your skin.
• Poison ivy and poison oak are related to the mango tree. People who have a history of skin inflammation from poison ivy or poison oak will often develop the same rash on their hands, feet, and the corners of their mouths if they are exposed to mango peel or sticky mango juice when they pick the fruit from the tree or eat it. If you have a history of poison ivy or poison oak rashes, have someone other than pick the mangoes and prepare them so you can enjoy the flavor without an itchy, damp red rash.
• Remove poison ivy or poison oak from your yard by digging out small plants or cutting larger plants down to ground level. You can also spray them with herbicides containing glyphosate or triclopyr (not recommended). Make sure to wear long-sleeved shirts and gloves when working with poisonous plants.
• You can buy Oral Ivy from Bol.com. You put it in water and drink it. It has no taste and works quickly. If you use it for exposure, it will stop the rash. If you already have the rash, it will stop the itching and speed up healing.
• You can use Caladryl clear for poison ivy.
• When gardening, always remember to wear gardening gloves to avoid any contact with poison ivy, poison oak, or sumac.
• Do not bathe for weeks after exposure. The oils float on water and spread the rash.

Warnings

• Never burn poison ivy, poison oak, or sumac to get rid of it. The resins can float downwind in the smoke and cause severe allergic reactions in anyone who ingests it.
• If you have a rash in your eyes, mouth, nose or genital areas, or if the rash covers more than 1/4 of your body, then you should see a doctor. You should also see a doctor if the rash doesn't improve in a few days, if it gets worse, or if it keeps you awake at night. Your doctor can prescribe corticosteroids to relieve itching.
• Call 1-1-2 if you have trouble breathing or severe swelling. If you have been exposed to smoke from burning sumac plants, you should seek emergency care.
• If you have a fever above 38 ° C, if you see yellow crusts or pus, or if you become sensitive to the rash, you should see your doctor because of the possibility that you have an infection.