Learn How to Treat Poison Ivy

How to treat poison ivy involves removing the source of the irritation and then relieving the itching.

Removing the Source

When exposure to poison sumac, poison ivy or poison oak occurs, an itchy rash can appear on the skin. The first step to take is to remove exposure to the source.

This means, if outdoors, leaving the vicinity of the plant and then making sure no bits of it are caught in clothing or shoes. This may involves stripping down, showering and putting on new clothes. The clothes that were previously worn should be handled with care and washed immediately or placed in a labeled bag until such time as they can be washed.

The rash will can appear hours after exposure, so if not outdoors, other tips may apply. These include ensuring the clothes worn while outdoors are removed, the skin is cleaned and all affected areas are identified.

Eliminating the Itch

The itch of the rash can be particularly bothersome. Some things used to help relieve the itch include the use of calamine lotion and over-the-counter antihistamines.

If the symptoms are particularly bothersome, prescription treatment may be recommended. This can include corticosteroids in the form of injections, pills or ointments.

Other Treatments

The use of cool compresses and cool bath soaks can be helpful to those suffering from the symptoms of poison ivy. Another option is the use of ‘oatmeal baths’. Aveeno is well known for its oatmeal bath products.

A homemade version can be made, though, and uses rolled or quick oats. About one cup of the oats can be ground into a fine powder with the use of a food processor or blender. Pour the ground oats into a bath (in the running water) and stir the water and powder with your hand, making sure no lumps are on the bottom of the tub. The soak can be enjoyed for about 20 minutes to relieve symptoms.

An oatmeal bath is safe for children and adults, though less oatmeal powder may be used for a child, who will likely need less water in the bathtub than an adult would.

Length of Treatment

The rash from the poison ivy exposure can last up to four weeks, but can clear up in as few as two. Poison ivy will clear up on its own, but for many people, the treatment of the itchiness of the rash helps make that two to four weeks more tolerable.

How to treat poison ivy is mostly about addressing the symptoms that are bothersome, such as the itchy rash, than it is about ‘curing’ the poison ivy, itself.

References

Poison Ivy, Oak, or Sumac – Topic Overview. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/allergies/tc/poison-ivy-oak-or-sumac-topic-overview?page=2

Poison Ivy Rash. Mayo Clinic Staff. April 30, 2010. https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/poison-ivy/DS00774/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs