Essential oils for poison ivy

Can you use essential oils for treating poison ivy itch? In this blog post we share ten noteworthy essential oils for poison ivy. However, before then let's take a look at exactly why poison ivy causes contact dermatitis. 

Poison ivy is capable of causing several unwanted  and unpleasant conditions to the skin. It is a poisonous sap common in Asian and eastern flowering plants, particularly those in the genus Toxicondendion.

They are specifically known for causing contact dermatitis, which is induced by a compound called Urushiol. This urushiol is a liquid compound in plant sap and is capable of reacting in an unpleasant manner once it touches the skin.

This can lead to the development of painful, itchy rashes when any part of the plant containing urushiol comes in contact with the skin. Swelling, redness, or oozing blisters can also  be noticed in some victims.

All these symptoms are collectively called contact dermatitis. Quite a lot of people are found to be allergic to this compound, making them prone to more severe reactions.

These poison ivy are found in flowers,  stems, and roots of plants, particularly Toxicodendron Redican's.  This is a species of plant that is well known to contain large amounts of urushiol, and capable of causing severe contact dermatitis in most people.

As a result of the severity of this effect of urushiol on the skin, people, particularly farmers and hikers generally look for a way to avoid this reaction. While the rash can be avoided by washing off the urushiol compound from the skin immediately contact is made, it is not always as easy and effective.

This is simply because you might not even know that you have come in contact with urushiol until your skin begins to itch, and the symptoms of contact dermatitis start getting obvious.

Usually, the symptoms if rashes caused by poison ivy only develop  8-48 hours after contact has been made, and can last up to 3 weeks or more. However, there is no need to panic. There are some essential oils for poison ivy that have proven to be useful and effective in alleviating the symptoms of contact dermatitis from the skin.

The unpleasant feeling of contact dermatitis usually make people rush to get over-the-counter rash creams and gels, which might be more expensive and not even as effective. But here, the bad news is that there are plants that can cause harm to you, and the good news is that there are also plants that can counter this effect with ease.

Essential oils are highly beneficial oils extracted from plants, and can surely help you recover quickly from contact dermatitis/poison ivy in no time. These essential oils for poison ivy are natural, trusty, easy to get, and it captures the healing values of natural plants in general.

They are potent plant extracts with anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, capable of boosting your immunity for better and swift skin recovery. They can also have an amazing soothing effect on the skin.

Essential oils are certainly your best shots in getting rid of poison ivy. Here are some notable and trusted essential oils capable of alleviating the symptoms of poison ivy rash.

Eucalyptus essential oil

Eucalyptus ( Eucalyptus globulus) itself is a tree native to Australia. The oils extracted from this tree are capable of alleviating the symptoms of poison ivy and other skin rashes.

This is because of its amazing properties, particularly it's the ability to prevent dryness by rehydrating the skin. Eucalyptus oil has active ingredients including menthol, citronella, and eucalyptol.

These ingredients if unadulterated are known to be capable of alleviating pain, relieving itchiness, and likewise cool down overheated skin.  Not just that, it is also capable of healing inflamed blisters as well.

According to a review in 2017, Eucalyptus essential oil is one of the most available, and effective essential oils for poison ivy, capable of treating blisters, infections, inflammations, insect bites and many more.

It does this with relative ease and without any fear of side effects or adverse skin reactions. This alone is one of the reasons it is considered as a top choice for treating poison ivy.

Myrrh essential oil

Myrrh essential oil can be found in all species of the Commiphora plant. The tree itself is native to the Arabian peninsula and Africa. The oil is mostly obtained from the resin of the plant. It is one of the plants/oils that have been in use for centuries.

It has long been known for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, it is essentially suitable for the elimination of pain and swelling in the early stages of poison ivy symptoms. Its ability to treat high blood cholesterol can also be an added advantage to you.

Aside from alleviating the early symptoms of poison ivy, myrrh essential oil can also help the affected skin stay hydrated and smooth. Its ability to rehydrate the skin will prevent the rash from getting worse. This oil is often found as ingredients in various skincare products because of its moisturizing and skin brightening effect.

Cypress essential oil

The presence of bacteria can prolong the recovery process when you are trying to get rid of poison ivy. However, the antimicrobial activities of cypress essential oil to kill the bacteria that might want to disrupt the healing agenda.

Thus, cypress essential oil is capable of speeding up the recovery process of poison ivy. It is also potent in the healing of cuts, abrasion, and wounds on the skin within a relatively short period of time. This amazing ability of cypress essential oil can be linked to the presence of a particular compound known as camphene.

It also acts as a natural astringent agent, thus, capable of returning your skin to, and maintaining your skin in its natural form. Cypress essential oil is also known to reduce fluid retention in the skin, promote perspiration, protect the skin, as well as accelerate the healing rate of blisters.

Tea tree essential oil

Tea tree essential oil is one of the most potent and the most effective essential oils for treating various skin conditions. It is particularly useful in the treatment of dermatitis. This oil is extracted from a tree known as Melaleuca alternifolia.

The plant is well known for its amazing anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. It is particularly useful in healing little cuts and scratches, which might be as a result of repeated scratching. Likewise, it helps the skin stay sterile by preventing the overgrowth of bacteria due to its antimicrobial properties.

This oil is useful in getting rid of poison ivy symptoms without leaving any scar. Aside from preventing infection, tea tree essential oil can speed up healing of rashes while preventing itching.

However, the use of tea tree essential oil is advised to be in low concentration. This is because the use of a high concentration of this oil can lead to undesirable side effects.

Peppermint essential oil

Peppermint essential oil is gotten from Mentha piperitha. It is a popular essential oil with analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, as well as antioxidant properties.

It is even more popular because of the sweet fragrance, and cooling sensation it gives once it comes in contact with the skin. It is also currently investigated for its promising antiallergenic potentials.

These remarkable abilities of peppermint essential oil is a result of its main ingredients which are menthol and menthone. These ingredients are very effective in disinfecting the skin and subduing the pain. It is also useful in the treatment of swelling and itchiness that might be as a result of poison ivy or other causes like bug bites.

Likewise, it is found to reduce the symptoms of itchy skin in pregnant women. Peppermint essential oil can be used either by inhalation or by topical application.

Roman chamomile essential oil

Roman chamomile essential oil is remarkably known for its ability to have a calming effect on the human skin. This calmness can be transmitted to the mind. It can either be gotten from Chamaemelum nobile, or Matricaria recutits.

Many people are familiar with the plant being used as chamomile tea, which is taken for relaxation to lower anxiety and relieve stress. However, the oil from the plant is also capable of calming nerve endings in the tissue of the skin.

The oil possesses anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, therefore capable of keeping the skin sterile while accelerating the recovery process without leaving a scar. It also has a soothing effect on the skin, and likewise capable of alleviating symptoms that arise from poison ivy, or other sources including various seasonal allergies and eczema.

Calendula essential oil

Calendula essential oil is similar to Roman chamomile essential oil basically because they are gotten from similar plants of the same family.

Calendula essential oil is gotten from Calendula officinalis. It is also known as marigold and it is found in a yellow flower. Calendula has been in use for centuries, making it one of the most tested and trusted essential oils.

It has antiinflammatory properties that makes it potent in the treatment of several skin outbreaks ranging from poison ivy to eczema, as well as perioral and contact dermatitis. It helps the cell of the skin regenerate faster, thereby hastening the healing and recovery process.

Its soothing properties can help alleviate redness, pain, itching, dryness, and other discomforts on the skin. Also, it promotes the rapid healing of wounds and cuts on the skin, and even treats skin ulcer. Although you can make your own balm from pure Calendula essential oil, it can also  be found as a major ingredient in many scars eradicating creams and gels.

Helichrysum essential oil

Helichrysum essential oil is a natural substance with friendly but effective bacteriocidal and antioxidant components. It is known to be an antiallergenic substance because the components are capable of relieving symptoms of various skin allergies including poison ivy/ skin dermatitis.

Helichrysum essential oil is seen to be very effective even in quantities as small as few drops. These few drops of the essential oil in any homemade remedy is capable of keeping you from microorganisms that might infect the affected skin area, and consequently accelerate the healing process.

Similarly, it is capable of renewing your skin because of its moisturizing and rehydrating properties. Another remarkable property of helichrysum essential oil is that its effectiveness is not dependent on the cause of the skin ailment, thus it is effective in the treatment of a wide variety of skin ailments.

Lavender essential oil

Pine essential oil

Pine essential oil can be found in all species of pine. Pine, pine essential oil and many of its constituents such as Pine tar are commonly found in soaps that are specifically designed to treat rashes from poison ivy.

Even though there are two types of essential oils found in pine, both of them have them have proven effective in wound healing. It stands out as one of the most effective substances when compared to other essential oils.

Conclusion

​Essential oils are natural remedies that have been ineffective use for many centuries. All recent modifications have improved the effectiveness of this natural extract. It has proven to be a better alternative to the conventional synthetic gels and rash creams purchased over-the-counter. They are effective, natural, and safe with little or no side effects.

Most of these essential oils for poison ivy have antiinflammatory, analgesic, antioxidants, antimicrobial and antiseptic properties. They also have rehydrating and soothing effects that makes them potent in the alleviation of symptoms related to poison ivy, including redness, swelling, itchiness, rash, pain, and other related discomforts.

Aside from being effective in the treatment of poison ivy, they are also effective in the treatment of a wide variety of other skin ailments including  wounds, eczema and skin ulcer.

However, it should be noted that it is of paramount importance to use essential oil in the proper manner in order to get the best possible results. Highly concentrated oils can worsen skin rash if not used correctly.

Users are therefore advised to dilute essential oils before topical application. It should also be used in small quantities, preferably drops depending on the nature of your skin. Pregnant women and lactating mothers are advised to consult their doctor before making use of these essential oils.

It should also be noted that if the area of skin affected by poison ivy is large or you are experiencing shortness in breath, it is very much advisable to seek medical attention immediately.

Do you have any additional tips on using essential oils for poison ivy which were not mentioned in the blog post? Please share them in the comments below.