What are some poison ivy home remedies?

Question

I didn't know I was allergic to poison ivy, but I got it. I thought it was a mosquito bite, but it got worse. I tried hot water, rubbing alcahol, calamine lotion, Ivarest lotion, and a cold shower with little or no effect! I had to go to the doctor and get steroids tto help with the rashes and itching. Are there any remedies that ou've tried that actually bring relief from the itching?!

Answer 1

Honey
As for susceptibility to PI, you may not know that spring honey in the areas where it grows is usually loaded with PI pollen. I believe
that regular use of raw, local, spring honey has rendered me immune to the effects of the sap. I worked in apple orchards for many years, with frequent, almost constant problems with poison ivy. When I began keeping bees and eating honey every day, I no longer was affected by poison ivy. It has been many years since I've had any reaction at all, though I sometimes walk right thru the stuff.
-- Dave Green ([e-mail]) submitted May/1/2000 The Pollination Home Page


Baking Soda
If you take a bath in room temperature water mixed with 1/2 cup of baking soda it can releive the itching. The baking soda is like oatmeal bath that you would find at the drug store however the baking soda is cheaper and everyone has it in their house. However, if you use normal temperature bath water the itching will not stop at all. This method is on the back of many baking soda boxes that you can find at your super market
-- Chris Whitehead ([e-mail]) submitted May/31/2000

Oatmeal Paste
The best thing I have found for poison ivy is very warm to hot oatmeal. Cook it a little thicker than you would for eating(you don't want it running all over). Spread the oatmeal with a rubber spatula(like for spreading cake icing). The heat from the oatmeal really helps, the oatmeal is gritty and itches the rash for you, and as the oatmeal cools off it drys out the skin and affected area better than any other product I have tried. It feels likes cement drying aroung your arm. The only downsides I have seen to this is that your spouse WILL laugh at you as your pasting oatmeal to yourself in the kitchen, and this is probably something you wouldn't want to do at work. BE SURE THE OATMEAL IS NOT TOO HOT FOR YOUR SKIN, it is best that it is warm to hot, but you do not want to burn yourself either.
-- Jason (@NOSPAMaol.com) Nov/17/1999

Vinegar
A friend's grandmother eliminated the simptoms of poison ivy using warm vinagar on the blisters. I have tried this and many other remedies, including the over-the-counter products and found that a combination of warm vinagar compresses, three to four times a day, and an application of caladril (not sure of the spelling) lotion at night have been the most effective. system, or just the acid in it. But it work's. Passed down from 3 generations.
-- Gary Christopher ([e-mail]) submitted 26/Jun/2001

Banana Peel
Try the inside of a banana peel, this usually helps a bit more if the sores have been broken, but it drys up the ivy's effects rather quickly with continuous use and if the sores are kept clean. Just peel a banana and smear the inside of the peel on the affected area, and bingo, then repeat about 2 to 3 times a day.
--"D. R. Pinson" ([e-mail]) submitted 13/Jul/2000

Miracle Whip
Miracle Whip will remove the oil, but don't use it more than 2 times a week. Put a teaspoonfull on the affected area, spread it around and leave it a few minutes. Then wash it off with Dawn Dishwashing liquid (or Zanfel). After that, use whatever remedy you have for drying it up. Benadryl cream, steroid ointment, or whatever. Also, on the really hot spots, try ice packs, especially at night. This works.
--Anonymous submitted 1/Jun/2001

From the Freezer
I find that frozen vegetables in a bag when laid over the infected area reduces the itch incredibly.
--"Rich" ([e-mail]) submitted 15/Jul/2001

Butter Milk
Sounds silly, I know, but it works! This morning, I itched so badly I could hardly stand it, tried all the cortisone creams and ointments, which help just a bit. In desperation, I thought about a household ingredient that I use for intestinal problems, for soothing burns and reasoned, why not. Buttermilk!! Yep, the good bacteria stuff some of us southerners drink. I dabbed it on, itching stopped immediately, has been 2 hours now, no itching. I can reuse it as needed, no side effects. Hey, if it works, I am elated.
--"bkeel" ([e-mail]) submitted 24/Mar/2002

Cucumber
Cucumber! So simple,so effective.Just slice a piece off, wipe it on and let dry.Relieves itch and you should be getting better in a week. Apply often .
--"Eddy van H." ([e-mail]) submitted 30/Sep/2002

Answer 2

Oatmeal baths and mix an oatmeal paste with a little vinegar and it will dry up the poison ivy blisters.

Answer 3

My husband is very allergic to poision ivy and the only thing that seems to work for him is aloe vera gel. I don't know why it works but it's better than anything else we've tried. Hope it helps you too.

Answer 4

Wash gentley with warm water and soap.Make a paste of baking soda and water,apply it to the rash as often as nessasry.You also need to wash all all the towels and washcloths and anything else in hot water that came into contact with your skin.

Answer 5

Oatmeal baths...stay in the warm water at least 15 mins.. Also benydryl works well to help sleep.

Answer 6

A tea bath helps my son who is terribly allergic. he always has to get a shot to get rid of it. Just fill the tub with water and add a few tea bags or instant tea. He says it works.

Answer 7

An oatmeal bath and aloe vera gel really helps me.

Answer 8

Homemade soap I don't know how to make it but check a really old cookbook or ask your grandma it works great

Answer 9

my aunt gets it every summer the way she got rid of it is put ice all over the rashes rub it till u cant stand it that will dry it up

Answer 10

The best thing is Calalyme Lotion~ sorry for the spelling mistake..