Wear Loose Clothing
Oftentimes, poison ivy can spread to areas that are not exposed. It’s also possible for clothes to come into contact with the oil that causes the rash and then spread it to other parts of your body. This is why it’s important to wear loose clothing when you’ve recently had an encounter with poison ivy. You may even want to change out of any clothes that could have come into contact with the plant ASAP after getting home from being outdoors, just in case!
Use A Cool Compress
Poison ivy can also cause some swelling and irritation of the skin, which is why taking a cool compress can help soothe your rash. To do this, simply run water that’s cold to the touch and soak a washcloth in it before applying it to any affected areas of your body. You may want to leave the compress on for around 15-20 minutes or until you feel your skin starting to get numb. Just be careful not to use too much force when doing this because you don’t want to irritate your skin even more than it already is!
Don’t Scratch!
One big mistake many people make when they have poison ivy is that they scratch the itchy areas of their skin. Although your first instinct may be to itch it, remember that scratching can cause further damage and will only worsen the rash. Instead of scratching, try gently wiping the area with a wet washcloth to help soothe your skin. If this doesn’t work, you can also try applying calamine lotion or taking a cool bath in order to reduce the itching sensation.
Conclusion
None of these methods is guaranteed to work for everyone. I suggest you speak with your doctor before using any of them, just in case. If you want to learn more about treating poison ivy, then please ask your doctor or pharmacist. They’ll be able to give you advice that’s specific to the severity and location of your rash. Your pharmacist may also have some topical creams or ointments that can help treat your rash if it doesn’t clear up on its own within a few days!
