As you go along your trail in the jungle, chances are high that you will get into contact with poison ivy which can cause severe skin irritation and itching. However, the good news is that poison ivy can be easily treated with home remedies such as coconut oil so there is no to be afraid of enjoying your summer in the forest.
As such, this article helps you to understand how to use coconut oil for poison ivy. There are also different advantages that you can derive from using this home remedy to treat the condition.
Table of Contents
Poison Ivy: What is it?
Poison ivy is actually a climbing plant that produces irritant sticky substance from its leaves that causes the itchy red rash on your skin. The reaction to this sticky substance also called urushiol causes rashes on the skin. However, people react differently to poison ivy and 85 % of the population usually experience some form of reaction while 15 % of the cases can be severe.
Many people who spend most of their time trekking in the jungle are familiar with poison ivy. Any indirect or direct contact with the oily resin that is produced by this particular plant can result in rashes that can take some weeks to heal completely.
You can also get poison ivy rash by getting in touch with objects that are contaminated with the oily resin from the plant. If you inhale the smoke from burning ivy plants, you can also develop the rash which usually takes about 48 hours to be noticeable and can take up to three weeks to heal completely.
How Dangerous is Poison Ivy?
Poison ivy causes the development of an irritating rash that can cause restlessness. However, the good news is that apart from the itchiness and discomfort caused by the rash, it does not pose a great threat to your health. The other issue is that the rash caused by poison ivy is not contagious implying that you cannot get it from another person.
You can safely stay under the same roof with any person affected by the rash. To reduce the impact of the rash, it is important to avoid scratching the affected areas since this will worsen your condition. Some of the symptoms that can help you know if you have been affected by poison ivy include swollen, reddening, blistered as well as itchy skin.
How to Treat Poison Ivy Rash using Home Remedy?
Like any other condition, the most effective remedy for poison ivy rash is to avoid getting it in the first place. The following are some of the prevention tips that can help you stay clear of poison ivy plant:
- Know the plant
- Always wear protective clothing
- Wash your hands or body within 30 minutes of contact with the plant
However, in the event that you have already been affected by the rash, there are different types of home remedies that you can use to alleviate it. For instance, coconut oil is an effective remedy that you can count on to treat poison ivy rash, a condition that can cause severe discomfort to your skin. There are various advantages that you can get from using this particular home remedy.
Advantages of Coconut Oil
The main advantage of coconut oil is that it is ideal for almost all types of skin. Some people have sensitive skin that can react to other remedies for ivy poison which contains chemical elements. For instance, remedies that contain chemical components like alcohol can cause skin irritation and this can worsen the situation instead of alleviating it.
As you have already noted, poison ivy causes an itchy sensation on your skin so you must use a product that is capable of soothing the skin instead of causing more irritation. As such, coconut oil is viewed as an effective natural remedy that can promote the rapid healing of the affected skin.
The other benefit of this natural remedy is that it is easy to use and it can give you positive results in a short period. It immediately soothes the skin after applying it over the affected areas. The remedy works perfectly well even on people who have different skin allergies.
How to Apply Coconut Oil?
You need to have the same coconut oil that you also use for cooking. You just need a few drops of the oil that you can apply on the affected area with rashes using your fingers or your palms. Gently massage the oil all over the affected areas and leave it so that your skin can absorb it.
The application of the oil is very simple and it does not require any additional equipment. Once you have the coconut oil, then you are done. You can apply the oil on the affected areas at least two to three times every day for a few days.
In about a week, you will begin to feel the itchiness on your skin caused by the rash disappearing. This home remedy is very effective since it contains antifungal, analgesic, and anti-inflationary properties. These properties help to soothe the skin while at the same time relieving the itching sensation. Itching is the major factor that causes discomfort.
The healing properties in coconut also play a significant role in speeding up the recovery process. If left untreated, the rash caused by poison ivy can take up to three weeks to heal. However, with coconut oil, you can experience great relief from the pain within a few days of applying the remedy.
Conclusion
If you enjoy performing different outdoor activities like hiking in the jungle, you must be aware of a climbing plant called poison ivy which can cause a skin rash when you get into contact with it. The plant produces an oily substance that can severely irritate your skin. The itchy rash causes a lot of discomfort on your skin but you can treat it using home remedies like coconut oil.
Coconut oil is advantageous in that it is a natural remedy that is ideal for different types of skin. What’s your take on this home remedy? If you have any comment you can leave it below.
