There are many ways in which we can treat poison ivy. The first thing that we will usually think to use are over the counter creams and lotions that have various ingredients – which will help to dry out the skin and alleviate the itching and burning. These remedies will help you to not only treat the problem – but learn how to prevent it.
Jewelweed
This is a type of weed that may just be growing in your backyard. Herbalists will obtain the leaves and the juice from the stem and create poison ivy soaps or creams to cure skin irritations like that caused by the poison ivy. It helps by counter reacting with the urushiol oil.
To make your own remedy you can chop the leaves and the stem of the plant and place them in boiling water. Cook until you the water becomes dark orange and then pour the liquid into ice cube trays. When they are frozen take a cube and place it on the rash. The cold of the ice cube combined with the healing properties of the plant will help to dry out the skin and to put a stop to the itching. The only time this will not work is if you use the Yellow Jewelweed plant.
Rubbing Alcohol
When you go camping you should always keep a small bottle of rubbing alcohol with you. This works in two ways. First, it will help to cleanse the skin that was exposed to the plant by removing the urushiol oil. Secondly, it will help to dry out the skin and speed up the healing process.
Coffee
Coffee is great when trying to wake us up in the morning – but did you know that it contains photogenic acid – which is an anti-inflammatory. Pour some cold coffee on the rash and you will be amazed at how quickly it will help.
Don’t Touch Or Scratch
You must never touch or scratch the rash or pop the poison ivy blisters. Before you wash the urushiol oil from the skin you need to be careful that you don’t touch it with your hands or any item. The urushiol will spread that way and will affect anyone that you touch or other parts of your body.
After it has been washed you can touch it – but scratching it forbidden. Scratching and popping the blisters will break open the skin and make it vulnerable to bacteria. When the bacteria gets inside it will cause an infection. In most cases the only way to treat this infection is to use antibiotics.