The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Towel Scrub
Posted by Tiffany (Columbus, Ohio) on 04/24/2008
★★★★★
Odd Cure for the Itch: I get poison ivy, and I get it BAD. i never find products that work EVER. not even for temporarily relief. a few years ago, i actually got fed up with the scratch and had to do something about it. so i ran a towel under hot water, and began scrubbing the infected areas as hard as i could, making sure the blisters would bleed. it burns, like crazy. but for me, the burning is much more bearable than the itching. i've recently used this method for every outbreak. just make sure you actually have blisters first, otherwise it just might make it spread worse. also, clean the bleeding areas with rubbing alcohol.. as crazy as that sounds. hopefully it will cure your itch like it did mine. also, be prepare for scars.
Over the Counter
Posted by Mylu (California, Missouri) on 04/15/2008
★★★★★
re: poison ivy,oak or sumac. I broke out a week ago. I tried all the remedys ,they helped some. Went to my phamas. yesterday and he told me about a new wash. It's called ZANFEL ,it really works. The ingre. bind with the oil and washs it away.You can use this on the actual rash-bisters. I could tell a difference in 30-45 minuets. Good luck and GOD BLESS
Over the Counter
Posted by Kathy (St. Louis, Missouri) on 05/23/2008
★☆☆☆☆
I've been using Zanfel for 3 days. Temporary relief, but the poison oak rash is spreading... back to the ACV!
Over the Counter
Posted by Juju (Frankfort, Il, Usa) on 06/01/2010
★☆☆☆☆
I just got my first PI rash....did not know a thing about pi. While I am learning since I have a terrible rash on hands, arms, face and neck, I tried most of the things listed except thoses that looked dangerous. I also tried Zanfel, using it as directed but it not only didnt work, but it seems it has damaged my skin. Just because it is sold in a drugstore does not make it safe. I would advise anyone not to try it especially since there are others things that seem to actually do a much better job.
Over the Counter
Posted by Shannon (Conway, Arkansas) on 07/08/2010
★★★★★
I got a poison ivy rash all over my arms about 2 years ago when pulling weeds out of my backyard. It was horrible. It took almost a month to get rid of it. I had huge blisters all over my forearms and even strangers would ask me what kind of "accident" I had been in. I went to the doctor 3 days in a row to get steroid shots and he prescribed loratidine (allergy med) and some kind of ointment that didn't help with the itching, an antibiotic to prevent a staph infection, and prednisone (steroid). I had already gone through a bottle of calamine but it never really helped. The only thing that brought me any relief was scalding hot water and zanfel. I would put it on in the shower and afterwards my blisters/rash would look worse because the blisters would swell and drain but the relief from the itching would last about 8 hours which was awesome.
For the person that said that their rash seemed to be spreading after using it, mine did too. But it wasn't from using zanfel. My doctor told me that as bad as I had it, it's in my bloodstream now and could pop up anywhere. I had a small rash show up on my shoulder, thigh, and midsection a week after seeing him.
I'm sorry for those of you that have it as bad as I did. I don't wish that misery on anybody. I highly recommend the zanfel for itch relief. Good luck=)
Rubbing Alcohol
Posted by Debbie (Pensacola, USA) on 03/29/2008
★★★★★
A cotton ball or Q-tip saturated in rubbing alcohol will get rid of poison ivy. The alcohol is a solvent that will dissolve the waxy substance left on the skin by the poison ivy vine. Apply as needed. From personal experience, I can truly say that this feels really, really good on that itchy skin and works in just a couple of days.
Rubbing Alcohol
Posted by Tina (Fort Worth, Tx) on 04/28/2016
★☆☆☆☆
I've been using rubbing alcohol for a few days now. Although it soothes the itch for an hour or so, it is not clearing up my poison ivy. I've had it for about a month now and it's getting worse. I'm about to give up and go to the doctor for more useless medications.
Jewelweed
Posted by Janice (Washington, Pa. 15301) on 06/10/2013
Help! Need to find Jewel Weed in Washington, PA. Tired wasting my money on Drs. & steroids. Thanks janicecchreffler [at] yahoo (dot) com.
Vitamin C Paste
Posted by Ann (Albany, NY) on 11/16/2007
★★★★★
I had poison ivy for the first time a couple years ago. It was sooooo incredibly itchy, I could barely stand it. After looking on the net, I found' a remedy from a lady dr. She said to make a paste of Vit.C powder (just add water). Apply and let dry. I can't swear that it did the trick immediately, since I'd suffered with the rash for several days by then, but it surely helped!
Clove Oil
Posted by RJ (Nashua, New England, USA) on 10/19/2007
★★★★★
I was reading about Poison Ivy control for gardens using Clove Oil from:'
http://www.biconet.com/lawn/poisonivydefoliant.html.
Getting Poison Oak and Poison Ivy - no fun for kids of any age. Try an at home treatment of Poison Ivy (or Poison Oak) by:
Making a paste of a food grade clay and saline solution.
Set up your Witch Hazel paper towels and cotton balls with clove oil near you. Open trash can lid and start washing machine on heavy soil cycle.
Put on Kitchen dishwashing gloves that you can dispose of after treatment.
With gloves on, apply paste over the affected area. Let dry.
Wipe off dried paste with a paper towel, moistened with Witch Hazel. Let area dry. (Vinegar stings more.)
Apply Clove Oil. Cover with a gauze bandage and bandage tape to protect area with Clove Oil application.
Soak plant oil affected clothes in sink, with lots of Vinegar and soapy water. Rinse, and launder.
Throw away paper towels and cotton balls.
Throw away disposable Kitchen Dishwashing Gloves.
Sometimes, kids like a big production, so when you want to do that, recycle some plastic shopping bags and use some gauze tape. Tape bags around the area w/Poison Ivy or Poison Oak - so that only the affected area shows. Then do treatment. Doing that also prevents any of the plant oils from transferring to unaffected skin during treatment. After treatment, with gloves on, remove bags. Throw away shopping bags, then remove disposable gloves, and then throw them away, as they have the plant oils on them.
Over the Counter
Posted by DK (St. Paul, MN) on 10/28/2008
A hairdryer on Poison Ivy rash will feel great and will dry up the rash. You should only need to use this method a couple times per occassion. Also, your body will build up a temporary immunity to poisin Ivy if you get it enough in 1 season, and then every new season, purposely expose part of your body to it to keep the immunity going for the rest of that season. Eventually, in a couple years of this repeasted process, you will no longer get rashes at all. ( Unless you're not exposed to it for a number of years)
Over the Counter
Posted by Deirdre (Atlanta, GA ) on 05/23/2007
I just got another bad case of poison ivy from the dogs wandering around the woods at the local park! What is very helpful is the OTC to wash away the oil from the blisters and then after drying, to paint liquid bandaid on the affected areas. My neighbor told me this in passing a couple of weeks ago except that she said she uses clear nail polish to heal up poison ivy in 2 days. Liquid bandaid has the same effect of sealing up the skin and frankly, I'd rather use that than nail polish! Looking like another season of poison ivy outbreaks. Sigh. I am going to search for homeopathic remedies to take internally and will update the site.
Hot Water
Posted by Alan (Toronto, Canada) on 03/27/2007
★★★★★
I have had poison ivy numerous times, and while I have not found anything to cure it there is a very quick and easy way to relieve the itching for up to an hour or two at a time: hot water. If you take the infected area and hold it under VERY hot water (in a shower for example), you will get an immediate sensation of relief. I put the water as hot as I can stand it (being very careful not to burn your skin... it sounds strange but it's easy to do because even burning temperatures offer the same relief). When you're done the itch will be gone for about an hour or two at a time. If you're really getting so you can't stand the itch - try it. for the worst exposures I've had 4-5 very hot showers daily and it really makes the itch far more bearable. Again, be very careful not to burn the skin or you'll take even longer to heal.
Vinegar, H2O2, Lavender Oil
Posted by Ted (Bangkok, Thailand) on 01/04/2007 392 posts
The toxin resinous oil called Urushiol, can actually be detoxified by several ways. With the resins you can remove, or neutralize it nevertheless.
First start simple and wash the effected area with a strong detergent to remove the resin. When it is removed and the rash, is no longer reducing, you go to the next step of removing which is vinegar which will remove the other part of the resins.
How it is done is to grab a towel and try dabbing several times with vinegar, for example, to remove the resins. Try different areas of the towels that are clean and keep repeating until they are all removed. What vinegar does is it detox it and remove the oil. Rubbing alcohol will also work but less effectively than a vinegar.
Finally, after this is done several times, get the 3% hydrogen peroxide. It must not be weaker than 3% otherwise it will not neutralize the by oxidation of the resins.
The peroxide will cause drying, but it will also dry out whatever resins left over. So with a towel, this is rubbed with a 3% hydrogen peroxide several times, and find a new clean area of towel and do it repeatedly. The peroxide will neutralize what is left.
Finally, when it is done about 5-10 times, we apply this with lavender oil, 2-3 times liberally so that the oil will neutralize the toxin resin. Peppermint oil might further reduce but not necessary unless it is still irritating what is left of the rash and most resin at this stage should be removed.
The secret I think lies in the number of applications for it to work, which must be done for half a day, at one hour apart, at least. The reason why some antidote don't work is improper understanding of the mechanics of resinous oils on the skin.
Preparation H
Posted by John (Solon, Ohio) on 11/29/2006
★★★★★
how to cure poison ivy fast: Use the red tube of Preperation H your poison ivy will disappear in 24 hrs. You want to buy the cream Preperation H which really works great on all sorts of stuff besides poison ivy.
Preparation H
Posted by Kat (Mooresville, NC, USA) on 08/13/2008
★★★★★
To John: I tried your remedy first because it was supposed to work in one day. You weren't lying! I am really impressed, but I couldn't find one with red on the tube so I bought the Wal-Mart brand max strength. People this worked for me.
Salt
Posted by Wraiththirteen (North Augusta, South Carolina) on 04/08/2010
★★★★★
I had poison ivy all the way up both of my arms, it was so bad my hands were swollen open. I had gotten all the over the counter products at walmart that said that they helped stopped the swelling and nothing even helped the itching. When I found this site I went through all the cures and came to this one, and since the only thing that I had was salt and I had a lot of it I put it on my arms and hands. By a few minutes I had relief, heck it flatly felt good. I could feel it drawing the poison out, and within two days it was all pretty much gone. although I have a warning to go with this. The salt will make a mess. but it is well worth it.
Salt
Posted by Walt (Warminster, Pa. Usa) on 12/15/2011
Got poison ivy from our cat who is usually always outdoors (by choice). Tried several otc "cures" and NOTHING helped. On a whim, I went to the local pet supply store and bought the smallest package of "Instant Ocean" Marine (salt water) aquarium salt they had. Mixed according to package directions in an empty gallon jug. Mixed thoroughly and poured over the rash on my arms. Air dried & was itch free for about six hours after the initial application. Applied as needed. Cured within Three days.
Banana Peels
Posted by Tim (VA) on 09/27/2006
★★★★★
I have a case of poison ivy from mowing the yard. It is from my knees down to my ankles. I have been using anti itch ointment. I once read that the inside of banana skins is supposed to eliminate itching. I can say that the banana skins work much better than benedryl! Of course, now I'll draw fruit flies. I would be interested how banana skins work on insect bites.
Banana Peels
Posted by Rosie (Ewing, Illinois) on 08/08/2008
I am going thru chemo. On my good days, I like to work outside. Got a good case of poison ivy/oak. Will try the natural remedies. The inside of a banana skin, the fels napta soap, the lemon peel. But I think the hot water would open up pores and cause the infection to spread.
EC: From Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poison_ivy
"The oozing fluids released by itching blisters do not spread the poison. The appearance of a spreading rash indicates that some areas received more of the poison and reacted sooner than other areas. The blisters and oozing result from blood vessels that develop gaps and leak fluid through the skin; if the skin is cooled, the vessels constrict and leak less..."
Banana Peels
Posted by Joyce (Joelton, Tn) on 08/08/2008 490 posts
Hi Deirdre, There are some people who do not break out when they contact it. Could your friend be one of them. My daughter used to be. One day while working in the yard, we found poison ivy climbing a pear tree. My son who was less reactive than I, and I, were trying to figure out how to get it off the tree without the miserable itchy rash developing. My daughter walked up and listened for a few minutes, then saying "I don't know what you'all are scared of" reached over and pulled the poison ivy off the tree, broke it off at the ground and walked away. She proceeded to break out with the miserable blisters the next day - her first time ever to react to it. I am so sensitive to it that I almost break out just by looking at it. But I have also had a couple of severe bouts of it. The last one in my upper 20's. One eye was swollen completely shut, the other one I could barely crack open enough to see straight ahead, and my poor nose was swollen so that it was pushed toward the worst eye side of my face. At that point I went to the ER and was given Prednisone injection, tablets and pills. About the only relief I found was lying on the bed with a fan blowing over me, and I darned sure did not go outside to get in any more of it. A week later the darned stuff was still spreading over parts of my body that hadn't had any rash on it initially. I have talked to many others who said they had the same problem with it. Are you sure this friend wasn't naturally immune to it? However I still considered myself lucky because I remember our teacher standing someone up in front of our class and asking if we knew who she was. None of us recognized the kid who looked like a total body scab. It was our class mate who had been out of school a couple of weeks already and was on her way home from visiting her doctor again. Ending with a little humor here, a co-worker (about 30 years ago) told me about escorting her sister to her church's country toilet. When her sister found no toilet paper she requested her to bring her some leaves. She didn't know the leaves she gave her was poison ivy leaves. She said her poor sister couldn't walk for 6 weeks afterward. I'll bet her sister didn't find any humor in her distress.
Golden Seal Root Extract
Posted by Aubrey (York, PA) on 08/13/2006
★★★★★
Ever since I was a young girl I have been highly allergic to Poison Ivy. I have done everything from steroids to applying straight bleach as well as baking soda and water to the affected areas. Someone recommended Golden Seal Root Extract (you can pick up a vial at the natural food stores). You can drink it in water to help cure the inside of your bloodstream. But the most effective thing is to apply the extract to a tissue and dab it on the spots of poison ivy 3-5 times a day. It always got rid of it within 2 days for me. AMAZING.
Baking Soda and White Vinegar
Posted by Aristan Garandeau (Ny) on 06/20/2016
★★★★★
The combo of vinegar and baking soda helped a lot!!!! It was worth the amount of pain I experienced!!!
Bark of an Oak Tree
Posted by A Soaring Hawk (USA) on 02/12/2006
★★★★★
Shred the inner bark of an oak tree (handful), bring water to a boil, remove from heat, add the bark, cover & let simmer til cool. Apply as often a possible with a cotton ball. In a couple days it will be gone. Store in the refrigerator. Always ask the tree for permission, thank the tree & cover the tree wood with tar.
Bark of an Oak Tree
Posted by Melissa (Cadet, Missouri) on 10/04/2008
The reason this might work is because in the process it turns into DMSO. For those of you who don't know, DMSO is derived from wood pulp!
Vinegar, H2O2, Lavender Oil
Posted by Ted (Bangkok, Thailand) 392 posts
Oh by the way, a traditional remedy for poison ivy is jewel weed (touch me not), but it is not easy to get, this is why a vinegar, alcohol, detergent, and lavender are a bit easier to find, and hence the remedy are geared on convenience.
Also, Ordinary vinegar works the best. Most supermarket vinegar will work. An antidote for jellyfish poisoning is vinegar, but then it is also antidote for toxic alcohol (methanol), aspartame, splenda, etc. Vinegar works by detoxification and it is in fact actually anti-histamine, anti-inflammatory, to most toxic oils. That I found out quite by trial and error.
