How to Get Rid of a Geranium Plant Rash

Geraniums rarely cause problems for gardeners in the way of rashes or allergic reactions, but when they do, it is nice to know how to treat them. The North Carolina State University Poisonous Plants database points out that the rare case of a rash caused by geranium is actually contact dermatitis, and should be treated accordingly.

Things You'll Need

• Cold compress
• Calamine lotion

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Instructions

• 1

  Verify that geraniums are the culprit. Contact dermatitis will look very similar to the rash caused by poison ivy. If your rash looks different, it could be caused by something else and delays in treatment may be harmful.

• 2

  Avoid itching. Contact dermatitis caused by geraniums is generally considered mild, and goes away in a matter of hours or days. However, itching will spread the rash and lengthen the amount of time to heal.

• 3

  Apply calamine lotion to suppress the allergic reaction and help relieve the itch, according to Alan Green, M.D, FAAP.

• 4

  Use cold compresses in alternation with applications of calamine lotion to control the flow of antibodies to the rash, thus inhibiting its spread.

• 5

  Consider removing geraniums from your garden. Alternatively, you can wear gloves, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants when working in those areas of the yard that contain geraniums. North Carolina State University's Poisonous Plants database notes that the leaves of the geranium are the common facilitator of the small number of rashes that occur as a result of contact with geraniums.