Some home remedies can help reduce irritation and itching while the rash is healing. Take frequent warm baths in water containing an oatmeal product or apply cool, wet compresses to help relieve the itch. You may even develop an infection if you break the skin, causing itching to intensify. While it may bring immediate comfort, scratching will only prolong symptoms. Scratching the rash will only make things worse. Apply drying lotionĪpply calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream topically to stop the itching. Taking an over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine can help relieve itching and allow you to sleep more comfortably. Although the rash can’t spread, the oil that caused it can. This may help remove some of the oil and lessen the severity of your reaction.Īlso, be sure to wash the clothes you were wearing, along with anything that may have touched the plant.
Does poison ivy spread skin#
Immediately wash any areas of your skin that might have touched the plant. If you’ve come into contact with poison ivy, here’s what to do: Wash your skin and clothes If this happens, you may need a prescription antibiotic. Rarely, you can also develop a bacterial infection at the rash site. Widespread poison ivy rashes may require treatment with a prescription corticosteroid. Most cases of poison ivy don’t need to be treated by a doctor.
Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac may affect people of all ages.