How to Cure the Rash From a Poison Ivy Plant

The damage from poison ivy is caused by urushiol oil, which the plant excretes across its surface. Most people are allergic to urushiol oil. When it comes into contact with skin, it cases blisters, itching and a terrible red rash. When symptoms arise, you basically need to just wait them out (they fade after a few weeks), but while they do, you can adopt a number of additional measures to make yourself less miserable.

Things You'll Need

• Topical ointment
• Colloidal oatmeal
• Ice water
• Washcloth

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Instructions

Medication

• 1

  Apply a topical ointment to the area affected by the poison ivy. Use over-the-counter corticosteroids, calamine lotion and any lotion that has menthol in it.

• 2

  Take an oral antihistamine. Poison ivy creates an allergic reaction in the body and antihistamines offer relief from itching.

• 3

  Get a prescription from your doctor for a corticosteroid. It will reduce severe cases of itching and swelling.

Colloidal Oatmeal Bath

• 4

  Fill a bath with lukewarm water. Make sure it isn't too hot: heat dries out the skin and may make the poison ivy rash worse.

• 5

  Add 1 cup of colloidal oatmeal to the bath as the water is running. It allows the oatmeal to disperse into the water.

• 6

  Soak in the bath for 20 to 30 minutes, making sure you cover every area affected by the poison ivy.

• 7

  Step out carefully and gently blot yourself dry without rubbing.

• 8

  Repeat the process two to four times a day.

Cold Compresses

• 9

  Soak a washcloth in ice cold water and wrap ice cubes in it.

• 10

  Press the cloth gently against the area affected by the poison ivy and hold it in place.

• 11

  Leave the cloth in place for 15 to 30 minutes. If the water warms up, add more ice cubes or cold water.

• 12

  Apply the compress two to four times a day as long as the symptoms last.