Lucky us… we just found poison ivy growing in the hedge behind the pool. Poison ivy — like poison oak and poison sumac — causes an extremely itchy rash that can be very contagious.
If you’ve got poison ivy, avoid oil-based soaps and products. They’re only going to help the rash spread. And itching is only going to make things worse. So what do you do? You can fight plants with plants… ease your poison ivy problems with natural remedies!
- Chamomile and helichrysum essential oils will help ease the pain and itching of the rash AND help the skin heal.
- Cypress essential oil helps dry up the rash.
- Peppermint essential oil helps relieve the burning and itching of poison ivy. You can thank the menthol in peppermint for that.
- Wash your skin with this poison ivy remedy: mix three drops each of chamomile and cypress essential oil, two drops of peppermint essential oil, and one tablespoon of witch hazel into two tablespoons of water. This combination will ease the itch and promote healing.
- Ease an oozing rash by mixing the above remedy with a teaspoon of ground oatmeal to make a paste. Apply the paste to your rash as often as needed.
- Relieve the itching with an oatmeal bath. Mix four cups of quick-cooking oats and a half cup of Epsom salts into your bathwater. Add any of the above essential oils for extra healing power. Just be careful when you drain the tub; the oats can clog your drain!
- Echinacea root and chamomile flower can help your body fight the inflammation of poison ivy from the inside out.
- Most importantly… try not to itch! It’s not easy. Wear socks or mittens over your hands to keep from scratching while you sleep. Keep your hands busy with a craft project. Apply the itch remedies above as often as needed.