There are many things that we are able to do when it comes to treating the poison ivy rash. We can take special medicines or apply special creams to our skin or we can use some very helpful poison ivy soap. It is not possible to use any ordinary soap because these contain oil that will spread the urushiol instead of removing it.
Although poison ivy is not contagious it is possible for people to become re-exposed to it. This urushiol oil is a very sticky substance – but it is also invisible making it difficult for us to know whether or not we have washed it completely from our skin. There are two different types of soaps for poison ivy that you can use; Jewelweed and Fels Naptha.
Jewelweed Poison Ivy Soap
Jewelweed is a common plant that is used when making poison ivy soaps. The juice that comes from the plant is often squeezed out and placed with other soothing ingredients to help treat and wash someone who has come into contact with this poisonous plant. Along with being able to cleanse the skin it has healing properties that will assist to sooth the itching and also help to reduce the inflammation from the rash and blisters.
Fels Naptha Poison Ivy Soap
People have been using Fels Naptha poison ivy soap for more then one hundred years to help treat and also prevent the poison ivy symptoms. When you know that you have been exposed to the plant you should shower immediately and use this soap for poison ivy to help remove the urushiol oil from your skin. By doing this you will be preventing any re-exposure from occurring and will also help to diminish the reaction you will have to it.
The urushiol oil can survive for years on your clothes. Because of this it is important that you wash them thoroughly in something that is strong enough to remove it. Rather then using regular detergent – which might not remove it properly – you can shave off pieces of the Fels Naptha and wash your clothes with it.
Make Your Own Poison Ivy Soap
- You will need to purchase blocks of soap and cut it into small pieces before placing it inside of a pitcher. Heat these pieces on high for thirty seconds. Make sure to stir it every five seconds until the soap is completely melted.
- When it has cooled down a little bit you need to stir in glycerin, oatmeal, calamine lotion, and rosemary essential oil.
- Spray the mold you will be pouring it into with vegetable spray. You can use any pan mold for this or you can purchase something that will give it a nice shape and outline.
- Slowly pour the soap in and allow it to harden in the freezer for a few hours. When it is hard you can remove it from the mold and cut it into pieces before storing it.