Top Home Remedies for Poison Ivy and Poison Oak

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Oh my goodness! Is there anything more irritating than the itching and burning from poison ivy or poison oak! Many people try taking those over the counter antihistamines, but they only help a little. The same with calamine lotion, it stops the itching for a couple hours but before you know it, you are back to that itching, scratching, burning, itching until it bleeds, driving you crazy and you can’t sleep because you can’t stop scratching that itch!

Well, take a look at our top home remedies for that oh so annoying itch. One of these is sure to work for you.

1. Soap and Hot Water

Poison ivy doesn’t happen immediately, the oil from the plant soaks into your skin gradually. So as soon as you realize you’ve touched the plant, or you begin to see the rash and feel the itch, wash the area immediately with hot water, as hot as you can stand it, and plenty of soap. Don’t scrub hard, you are mostly trying to get the oil off your skin.

2. Witch Hazel and Hydrogen Peroxide

Every few hours, as soon as you start feeling the itch, pour some witch hazel (or rubbing alcohol) on the area. This helps to dissolve the oils which cause the itch. When your skin has dried, dab the area with some hydrogen peroxide to keep it clean and free from infection.

3. Bath Time

Many people swear that this method works. Take a hot bath with about a half cup of Epsom salt, a bit of bleach, and some Aveeno colloidal oatmeal. Soak for about 20 minutes. If you take your bath before bedtime, you should be able to sleep all night without itching.

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