Poison ivy?!
Question:
Poison ivy?
My right arm from the elbow down is covered in rash and it's very swollen. The pain is severe, I probably only got an hour of sleep last night?
Should I see a doctor and/or are there any home remedies?
4 weeks ago
It took more than a week for the rash to go away!
My arm swelled up badly. My bicept actually puffed up well above the rash and a small trail of rash dots travelled up my arm with the swelling... it stopped now, but maaaan! that was painful and miserable!
Answers:
Contact with urushiol oil
Poison oak rash is caused when you come in contact with the oil called urushiol. Urushiol is a colorless or pale yellow oil found in the sap of poison oak. When exposed to air, it changes color to brownish-black. Avoid directly touching the sap of poison oak, it will cause problem to you. Indirect contact to the sap, by touching something on which the urushiol was present will also cause the rash, because urushiol can stick to fur, garden tools or any object that comes in its contact.
-Neenerdean
Use of aloe vera juice
Rub alcohol to the affected area, then rinse it with water and later wash with soap and water. Wet the infected area and rub plain table salt on it, this will not only relieve the victim but also stop further spread. Rub the inner side of a banana peel on the rash. This will help you to relieve itching. Place the infected area under running water. This will wash away histamines which cause itching of skin. Pour 3 cups of oats into warm water and soak the infected area into it. Simultaneously rub the affected area. Doing this will relieve you of itching. Mix 1/4 cup of bleach with 3/4 cup of warm water and apply to the affected area using a washcloth. This will kill the poison within 2 to 3 days. Apply aloe vera juice over the affected area, this will cool and provide instant relief.
Take goldenseal root
Vitamin C taken daily with bioflavonoids will prevent infection, rapid spreading of the rash and heal inflammation. Calcium and Beta-carotene helps to boost the immune system and speeds up healing. Victim must take zinc as it helps to repair damaged skin tissues. Take goldenseal, a root that is native to North America which has been used for centuries in herbal medicine.