How to Cure Poison Oak Rash

Poison oak can be a short or tall shrub, or a lengthy vine (depending on where it is located) with leaves of green and sometimes berries that are yellow or white. Inside this plant is a substance called urushiol. As long as poison oak suffers no trauma, urushiol will cause no problems, but once this plant is bruised and urushiol touches the skin, symptoms such as an itchy rash and blisters appear. Time is of the essence once urushiol gets on your skin. If it does, here's what you need to do to cure poison oak rash.

Things You'll Need

• Rubbing alcohol
• Soap and water
• Rubber gloves
• Over-the-counter medication for poison oak rash or
• Prescription medication

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Instructions

• 1

  Wash the urushiol off of your skin with isopropyl alcohol while you are still outside, and stay away from the area where you came into contact with the urushiol. This precautionary measure may prevent poison oak rash, or it may reduce spreading of the rash. Before a reaction occurs, urushiol has to go through the skin. Thin-skinned areas of the body are more sensitive to urushiol than thick-skinned areas are.

• 2

  Wash yourself with water while you are still outside, making sure to use as much water as possible. Get as much of the urushiol off of your skin as you can to help prevent poison oak rash.

• 3

  Shower as you normally would using water that is a comfortable temperature and soap.

• 4

  Clean all apparel (including shoes) and other items that may have urushiol on them by wiping them down with rubbing alcohol and water. Wear rubber gloves while doing this so as not to get the urushiol on your hands again.

• 5

  Treat blisters with an over-the-counter remedy. Kaolin, calamine lotion, baking soda and Aveeno oatmeal bath will work to help clear up blisters. Soothe itching skin with cold wet cloths to get relief, or use an antihistamine you can take by mouth. Get a prescription for oral corticosteroids from your doctor if symptoms are severe.