Poison oak rashes occur when a person gets exposed to poison oak. This three-leaved plant can be found in the woods while camping or at home growing in the yard. Some people do not have allergic reactions to it, while others have serious ones. Symptoms of an allergic reaction to poison oak:
- Extreme itching
- Red bumps or blisters
- Red patchy rashes where you touched the plant
If you are one of the people who have reactions to the oak, this article can help you. In this article, we will detail 15 home remedies for poison oak. These remedies will also come with step-by-step guides on how to use each one.
1. Banana Peel
A banana peel is one of the best ways to stop the itching that occurs with poison oak. It provides a cooling effect that can help stop the sting and the itch. This is perhaps the most annoying symptom of the reaction, so be sure that you are giving this idea a try. You want to use the inside of the banana peel!
Necessary Items
Directions
Using the inside of the banana, rub the peel against the affected area of skin.
The cooling qualities can also be had if you use a watermelon rind in the same way that you would use a banana peel.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is effectively able to get rid of the poison and will thereby stop the sting. It is acidic and can dry up the poison inside of the rash, helping to draw out the toxins at the same time. Apple cider vinegar is a staple in most people’s homes. This makes it one of the most inexpensive and effective home remedies for poison oak that can be used at any time.
Necessary Items
- Apple cider vinegar
- Q-tip or cotton swab/ball
- Bowl
Directions
- Pour the Apple cider vinegar into a bowl.
- Use a Q-tip, cotton ball or swab to dip into the bowl of vinegar.
- Apply the vinegar directly to the skin. You want to cover the affected area generously for best results.
- Be mindful not to get any of the vinegar in your eyes.
3. Baking Soda
Baking soda is totally alkaline. This can help balance the pH levels in your skin where the poison is affecting you. Baking soda is a common household object, meaning that you can essentially remedy your poison oak for free.
Necessary Items
- Baking soda
- Q-tip or cotton swab/ball
- Bowl
Directions
- Dump the baking soda into a bowl.
- Blend it with a bit of water in order to make a paste.
- Use a Q-tip and dip it into the container of baking soda paste.
- Apply the baking soda paste right on to the skin. Be sure to cover the poisoned skin generously for best results.
- Be careful not to get any of the baking soda in your eyes.
4. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is known for its soothing effects on the skin. You can choose to take an oatmeal bath or rub it on the skin. Either way, be sure that you are using plain oatmeal; anything with sugar is going to irritate the skin.
Necessary Items
- Oatmeal
- Q-tip or cotton swab/ball
- Bowl
Directions
- Pour the oatmeal into a bowl.
- Mix it with just a little bit of water to make a typical consistency of oatlmeal like you would to eat it with.
- Apply a layer of this oatmeal paste-like mixture to the poisoned area.
- Repeat when you need relieve from the itch.
5. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is perhaps the most soothing natural relief aid out there. It is most commonly used on burns and sunburns, making it ideal for the less intense pain and itchiness of poison oak rashes. You can use aloe vera from a bottle or break off a piece of a plant and use it straight from the source.
Necessary Items
- Aloe vera
- Q-tip or cotton swab/ball
- Bowl
Directions
- Pour the aloe vera into a bowl if it is a gel; if it is from the plant, expel a bit of liquid onto a cotton swab.
- Generously apply the aloe vera to the poisoned area.
- Massage it in using the cotton until the burn and itch subsides.
6. Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol can prevent the spreading of the rash. This ensures that you can keep the part of the body that touched the plant isolated so that you do not have to deal with the itchiness taking over. If you plan to be in an area that has poison oak, you can bring rubbing alcohol with you as a preventative measure.
Necessary Items
- Rubbing alcohol
- Q-tip or cotton swab/ball
- Bowl
Directions
- Pour the rubbing alcohol into a bowl.
- Using a cotton ball, cover the area that is poisoned with rubbing alcohol. It may sting at first.
- Continue rubbing it in to help dry out the poison and stop the itch.
7. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is terribly acidic, allowing it to be a natural way to dry up the poison from your rash. You can use lemon juice directly on the skin or mix it with a bit of water. The sooner that you apply it to the rash after being touched by the plant, the more likely it is to soak into the skin.
Necessary Items
- Lemon juice
- Q-tip or cotton swab/ball
- Bowl
Directions
- Squeeze the juice from one lemon or use store bought varieties.
- Put lemon onto a Q-tip or cotton ball.
- Rub the lemon juice onto the area with the rash.
- Do this until the stinging and itching stops.
8. Cool Water
Running cool water over your hot, inflamed and itchy red skin will provide relief right away. It can help lessen the severity of the poison oak rash. It can also help stop the spread of the rash if you run cold water over it before it gets too bad. Cool water is perhaps one of the simplest home remedies for poison oak. Avoid using hot water, as this can irritate the skin further.
Necessary Items
Directions
- Run the cool water over top of the place where the plant touched the skin.
- Keep doing this until it feels cool and less irritated.
9. Cold Compresses
An ice pack will work in a similar way to the way that cold water does. It will cool off the inflamed skin while also stopping the spread of the rash to other places nearby.
Necessary Items
- Ice pack or ice in a ziploc baggie
Directions
- Make an ice pack by taking ice cubes and putting them into a plastic bag.
- Press the ice pack to the affected area.
- Try to ice it for 15 minutes at a time. Then, remove the ice pack and let your face sit on its own for 15 minutes.
- Repeat this process until the pain goes away.
10. Cucumbers
Cucumbers are known to cool down the skin, especially during times of sunburn and other inflammation of the skin. They are just as effective on a sunburn as they are on a poison oak ash. All that you need is a few slices of cucumber, enough to cover the rash, to experience their cooling power. You can get cucumber at any grocery store in the produce aisle for a low price.
Necessary Items
Directions
- Slice up plenty of pieces of cucumber.
- Cut them up in sizes of varying thickness.
- Place the cucumber slices around your rash.
- Be sure that you cover as much of the rash as you can.
11. Jewelweed
Jewelweed is the counterpart to poison oak in that its juices and properties are able to stop the pain from the poisonous plant. You can rub the leaves right on your skin for immediate relief and drink tea made from it for longer term effects. Find this plant sharing a habitat with poison oak.
Necessary Items
Directions
- Bring water to its boiling point.
- Place the ingredient into the bottom of the mug or mix the ingredient in. You want to be sure that it is thoroughly blended in.
- Cover the ingredient with water.
- Let it steep it for 10-15 minutes.
- Drink the whole cup up to twice daily. You can drink it when symptoms are present or as a way to stop them.
- Enjoy the warmth that comes along with the hot tea to further soothe your ailments.
12. Watermelon
Watermelon is every bit as good at helping a poison oak rash as cucumber is. You can make it into a pulp and spread it out over the rash, or you can use its rind on the rash instead for more immediate relief from the itching. It is best for small patches of poison oak rashes.
Necessary Items
Directions
- Cut up a few small pieces of watermelon.
- Slice the rinds up in sizes of differing thickness.
- Put the watermelon rind slices around the poisoned area.
- You want to make sure that the white side of the melon rind is placed down against the rash.
- Cover as much of the area as you are able to.
13. Goldenseal
Goldenseal is a root. Powdered, it makes a great remedy for rashes and blisters that often occur with poison oak. It is best used in tea but can be applied to the skin as well.
Necessary Items
- Use powdered goldenseal and mix it with water to form a paste.
- Take a cotton ball and dip it into the paste.
- Apply the goldenseal paste generously to the rash.
- Continue rubbing it in until the itch and pain goes away.
14. Witch Hazel
Witch hazel has been shown to reduce the itching and aid in the healing of blisters. It can even be used by young kids. Drink it as a tea for best effects on healing your rash from the inside out.
Necessary Items
- Mix together witch hazel and water.
- Grab a Q-tip and dunk it into the witch hazel mixture.
- Put this blend directly onto the skin affected by the rash until the itching and the pain subsides.
15. Himalayan Pink Salt
Himalayan pink salt helps to not only disrupt the itch but to stop the rash from spreading. It is also a natural disinfectant.
Necessary Items
- Himalayan pink salt
- Water
- Spray bottle
Directions
- Mix a teaspoon or two of Himalayan pink salt to each cup of water that you are using.
- Pour the mixture into a spray bottle.
- Spray it on evenly over the rash and let it soak in.
- Let the solution sit on the rash for at least ten minutes.
- Wipe it away.
- Reapply as often as you need to.
Conclusion
Don’t suffer anymore from poison oak rashes when you can take advantage of these home remedies for poison oak. Tell us in the comments below if we missed your favorite remedy.
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