19 Home Remedies For Poison Ivy


Due to urushiol oil in poison ivy, contact with the plant can lead to a painful and itchy rash. Urushiol oil is a common allergen that very few people are immune to.

Poison ivy is very common in North America and exposure to it can happen at any time. Furthermore, a slight contact with the plant can trigger the allergy.

Symptoms of poison ivy allergy include; very itchy rash, burning sensation, fever, blister, and pains.

Here are tips and good practices, to consider, in order to prevent contact with poison ivy;

  • When outdoors, try to stay away from paths with plants.
  • When going hiking, wear long pants and boots.
  • If you choose to wear shorts, wear thick long socks along with the shorts.
  • Ensure you cover your arms with long sleeve clothes, or a  jacket, when trailing the outback.
  • Clear all poison ivy around your yard or garden.
  • Ensure you take a shower after hiking to wash off any trace of urushiol before they get absorbed into the skin.
  • Keep your hiking gears clean to eliminate any traces of poison ivy’s urushiol oil.

Below are home remedies and natural treatments for poison ivy;

1.    Banana Peels

Rubbing the inner part of banana peels on the affected area is a poison ivy remedy that has been used for ages. Banana peels have cooling attributes and are thus able to offer itch relief.

2.    Cucumber

Using cucumber is a proven poison ivy treatment. All you have to do is place slices of cucumber on the affected region. You could also mash up the cucumber to make a paste, which you can then apply to the poison ivy rash to soothe and provide relief.

3.    Rubbing Alcohol

Applying rubbing alcohol on the affected area goes a long way in helping to minimize the discomfort caused by poison ivy. Rubbing alcohol is made up of about 70% isopropyl and is used for topical application. You should apply rubbing alcohol as soon as you get into contact with poison ivy. This should be about 10 minutes after exposure. This is the main reason why you should carry some alcohol when going hiking or camping.

4.    Washing

As soon as you get into contact with poison ivy, thoroughly wash the affected skin with lukewarm water and plain soap. This helps minimize poison ivy’s plant oils. Studies show that showering within one hour after poison ivy exposure assists to limit the severity of the rash. Wear rubber gloves while doing this as you wouldn’t want your hands to come in contact with poison ivy.

5.    Potato Paste

Potatoes can also be used to treat poison ivy. This is because potatoes have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. These attributes help to sooth the pain and reduce the inflammation caused.

6.    Coffee

A cup of cold, black coffee is a well-known, and proven natural remedy for itchiness. This potency is based on the chlorogenic acid contained in coffee. The acid has anti-inflammatory properties, which will come in handy in helping to reduce the effects of poison ivy. To go about this method, just pour cold coffee on the rash. You could also try soaking a piece of cloth in the coffee and applying it to the affected area.

7.    Baking Soda

Apart from its use in baking, baking soda has been proven to be a great natural remedy for itchiness and rashes caused by poison ivy. To assist in relieving the rash, place half a cup of baking soda into a bath tub with warm water, and take a shower with it. You could also mix about four teaspoons of baking soda with a teaspoon of water, and mix up the contents to form a paste. Then, apply this pasty mixture to the affected part to relieve irritation and itching caused by poison ivy.

8.    Oatmeal Paste

Cook some oatmeal and apply it to the affected skin as a paste. Ensure that you cook it thick enough that it will stick to the skin. It is recommended that you put the oatmeal on the skin while it is still warm. This is because the heat will still cool down, leaving the skin relieved and dry. Despite this, you should be very careful not to apply the oatmeal when it is too hot, as this can cause the skin to burn. You can also add a teaspoon of baking soda to get that extra itch-relieving effect.

9.    Jewelweed

Jewelweed is considered a potent antidote for poison ivy. The good thing is that it grows around the same areas where you would find poison ivy. Therefore, all you have to do is spot this natural defender and soothe the itchiness, with jewelweed, as soon as possible. When you get it, just crush its leaves and stems to release the juice and apply the juice to the affected part.

10.    Apple Cider Vinegar

Mix a cup of apple cider vinegar with a cup of cold water and apply this solution on the affected area. Instead of white vinegar, we recommend that you use organic apple cider vinegar. Keep the mixture in your refrigerator and repeat the process until the itching is no more. You can also dip a piece of cloth in the mixture then place it on the rash.

11.    Aloe Vera

Apart from soothing nasty sunburns, the gel from aloe vera can be very effective for relieving a poison ivy rash. If you have access to an aloe vera leaf, you can apply the gel directly to the skin. However, if you don’t have this, you can purchase an aloe vera product from your local store.

12.    Lemon Juice

A lot of people view lemon juice, a natural astringent, as the best treatment for poison ivy. Apply lemon juice on the affected area as soon as you get into contact with poison ivy. This will help prevent poison ivy’s oil from fully getting into your skin.

13.    Cold Compress

Whenever the rash from poison ivy acts up, you can apply cold compresses to tame the itchiness and prevent scratching. To go about this process, run a piece of cloth under cold water, wring off the excess water, and apply to the affected part for about 15 minutes. Repeat this process severally until you have successfully gotten rid of the irritation.

14.    Bentonite Clay

This is a natural clay that is found in various beauty and personal care products. Some individuals have reported success after using bentonite clay and water to relieve poison ivy rash. This is because bentonite clay is able to reduce and prevent the allergy called contact dermatitis, which is usually caused by poison ivy.

15.    Watermelon

The rind of the watermelon is highly recommended for poison ivy rash. Place several rinds, with the white side facing downwards, on the affected area, for fast relief from intense itching.

16.    Goldenseal

Goldenseal is a highly effective remedy for blisters and rashes caused by exposure to poison ivy. Mix a teaspoon of goldenseal powder in very hot water, and let it steep. Then, apply this goldenseal tea over the rashes with a cotton swab. You can also apply goldenseal directly on the affected region. The antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of goldenseal come in handy in bringing down the itching and preventing more infections.

17.    Witch Hazel

Witch hazel is an effective natural remedy for poison ivy. When applied on the affected part, it helps to reduce inflammation and itching. Thus, promoting fast healing of the affected area.

18. Himalayan Salt

Himalayan salt, the pink salts mined from the foothills of Himalaya, is a potent remedy for poison ivy rash. Himalayan salt’s antihistaminic property makes it effective for relieving poison ivy rash. Himalayan salt is also a good skin detoxifier and skin toner. To use this remedy, mix a teaspoon of Himalayan salt with water and spray this solution on the affected area. You could also apply, to the affected area, a cotton swab or clean cloth soaked in the Himalayan salt solution.

19. Calamine Lotion

The zinc oxide, in calamine lotion, is effective in soothing the itch and pain caused by the poison ivy rash. Preferably, apply a thin layer of calamine lotion several times, throughout the day, instead of applying one thick layer.


