The Best Home Remedies for Poison Ivy

Leaves of three, let it be. That well-known rhyme offers great advice to avoid poison ivy and the uncomfortable rash it can cause. But even if you’re super careful outside, you might still brush up against the pesky plant.

So, what can you do when those itchy red bumps pop up hours or days later? We asked dermatologist Pamela Ng, MD, how to find relief.

Remedies for a poison ivy rash

When you get a rash from poison ivy, it’s a reaction to an oily, sticky resin called urushiol. It’s estimated that nearly 90% of people are allergic to urushiol, which is in every part of the plant, from root to fruit.

Any contact with the plant can leave resin on your skin and trigger a rash. You can even break out after touching something that touched poison ivy, like a gardening tool or a pet.

“You can get a poison ivy rash anywhere the resin touches your body,” warns Dr. Ng. “And if you get it on your hands and then touch your face or other parts of your body, you can spread it.”

The rash can bring bumps, blotches and, typically, a linear streak of swelling and blisters. “It can even be weeping and crusting,” she adds, “and it’s intensely itchy.”

A poison ivy reaction usually appears 12 to 48 hours after contact with the plant. But the timeframe can vary. Some people might notice a rash sooner, while it may take longer to pop up for others.

Now, the good news: You’ve got options when it comes to limiting the symptoms of a poison ivy rash, says Dr. Ng. Here’s what you can try.

1. Clean the area immediately

If you know you’ve come in contact with poison ivy, immediately washing the area may lessen any discomfort from the encounter.

You can remove up to 50% of the troublesome resin if you wash within 10 minutes of exposure to poison ivy, says Dr. Ng. After 30 minutes, your time at the sink can remove about 10% of the resin.

But even washing two hours after exposure might bring benefits by reducing the potential likelihood and severity of dermatitis.

“The sooner you wash after exposure, the more effectively you can remove the resin,” encourages Dr. Ng. “Do what you can, when you can. You won’t be able to get it all — but you can lessen its impact.”

Specialty soaps (like Zanfel®) or even a degreasing dish soap (like Dawn®) may also reduce poison ivy’s effect on your skin.

2. Apply topical creams

Over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams, gels or ointments can help soothe the urge to scratch at poison ivy rash, says Dr. Ng. (Make sure to follow the instructions on the label, particularly when it comes to where the medication can be applied and how long it can be used.)

Calamine lotion and lotions containing menthol can help with itching, too.

Dr. Ng advises against using benzocaine and topical antihistamines. “They don’t offer any additional benefit,” she says. “Plus, using them can desensitize you to some components of these creams, which increases your risk of developing an allergic reaction to them in the future.”

3. Take antihistamines

Over-the-counter allergy medications can help combat your allergic reaction to poison ivy.

For daytime relief, look for nondrowsy oral medications like cetirizine (Zyrtec®), fexofenadine (Allegra®) and loratadine (Claritin®). Options at night include diphenhydramine (Benadryl®).

4. Soak in medicated baths

Colloidal oatmeal baths and Domeboro® soaks are good home remedies for poison ivy itch, as they can relieve skin irritation. “They’re very soothing and can help dry up the rash,” notes Dr. Ng.

5. Use cold compresses

A simple cold and wet cloth on a poison ivy rash can help tame its itchiness. The reason? The coolness numbs the skin to make the itch feel less intense. It also helps reduce inflammation and overall skin irritation.

But don’t get your skin too damp, cautions Dr. Ng. You want your skin to feel cool, but it shouldn’t turn soft, moist and whitish.

Another pro tip? Wash the cloth thoroughly after use so you don’t inadvertently spread urushiol to other parts of your body.

6. Protect your skin

Covering a poison ivy rash with light bandages or clothing (like long-sleeved shirts) can help keep your skin clean to prevent additional irritation as it recovers.

Another benefit? A barrier over the rash can keep you from touching it.

“You don’t want to pick or scratch at it,” emphasizes Dr. Ng. “Once the skin is open, you’re susceptible to infection.”

When to see a doctor for poison ivy

Most of the time, poison ivy heals on its own. But make an appointment with a healthcare provider if you have:

• Severe, extensive and widespread rash
• A rash on your face, including swelling around the eyelids
• Rash accompanied by fever, chills or signs of infection

They may be able to prescribe you stronger medication to lessen symptoms or offer other advice to find relief.

Don’t be alarmed if a poison ivy rash gets worse before it gets better either. Poison ivy symptoms typically peak at two weeks before starting to heal. Bumps and blisters may last for three weeks.

“Try not to panic if the rash isn’t gone right away,” says Dr. Ng. “This is its natural course.”