A plant mostly found in North America, Poison Ivy is also known as Toxicodendron diversilobum. It is basically a weed and is known to cause allergic reactions. Young or fair people are the most susceptible to it. However, this allergy is not contagious. Even on scratching poison oak blisters, spreading of the rashes will not take place.

The poison ivy plant has three leaves. Each leaf is 2-4 inches long, with the middle leaf being the largest. When mature, the leaflets are green, and can be dull or glossy. Poison ivy can take different forms: it can resemble a vine and grow on a tree trunk, fence or rock. It can grow as a small bush usually no larger than three feet, or it can spread along the ground like a small shrub.

Poison ivy is a very common plant that can cause a skin rash called allergic contact dermatitis. Poison ivy is subject to frequent taxonomic reclassification and confusion; it is currently divided into eastern and western species in the Toxicodendron genus. It is a woody vine that is well known for its ability to produce urushiol, a skin irritant that causes an itching rash for most people, technically known as urushiol-induced contact dermatitis.

Home Remedies for Poison Ivy

Use Calamine lotion, is good to speed healing of poison ivy.Another way to reduce itching is mixing 1 tsp. of water with 3 tsp. of one of these dry ingredients; cornstarch, baking soda, oatmeal or Epson salts. Make a paste and apply over the affected skin.

Apply soothing lotions such as calamine directly to the poison ivy rash. After applying the cool compress to your poison ivy rash, spread calamine or a similar lotion over the affected area. These lotions work to relieve your itching and dry up the blisters and oily bumps of your rash. Be sure to check the use by date on your lotion bottle; calamine lotion does expire, and won’t be able to soothe your rash after its expiration. Aveeno Anti-Itch Cream with Natural Colloidal Oatmeal, Band-Aid Anti-Itch Gel, and Aloe Vera Gel are other viable options for gentle topical creams to relieve your itching. This is one of the best home remedies for poison ivy.

Oatmeal: Boil the oatmeal in water and let it cool for a few minutes. Stir in two Tablespoons of Baking Soda. Mix until a thick paste forms. Apply the warm (not hot) oatmeal to the affected area. Completely cover in a thick layer. Allow the oatmeal mixture to dry and harden. Once dry, gently rinse the oatmeal off with cool water. Pat dry with a soft cloth. This will relieve itching and help dry the rash.

Apply a mixture of 1/4 cup bleach and 3/4 cup of warm water to the problematic area with a washcloth. This will help in killing the poison within 2 to 3 days. These are the simple and effective home remedies for poison ivy.