How to use Baking Soda for Poison Oak

Poison oak (or poison ivy and poison sumac) are a poisonous plant that are commonly found in many parts of the United States, in which they have an allergic reaction or develop a rash upon exposure.

The culprit for this allergic or itchy rash on the skin is urushiol, a colorless oil present in this plant. If you get into contact with this plant (toxic oil that oozes from damaged stem or leaves of this plant) in any way, then the rashes will appear on the skin within 12 to 48 hours and forms as small bumps.

If not treated on time then it gets enlarged into itchy blisters and spread throughout the skin due to scratching on the affected areas. It generally appears on the face, hands, arms, genitals, and legs. Redness, pain, swelling, itching, and blisters are common symptoms experienced while suffering from poison oak.

Fortunately, there is an amazing natural remedy for treating the poison oak rashes and its symptoms on the skin called baking soda. Here we are explaining you on how to treat poison oak or ivy with baking soda in detail. Let’s get started…

Is Baking Soda Really Good for Poison Oak (or Poison Ivy Rashes)?

Yes, baking soda is widely used a natural remedy for treating poison ivy rashes with cost effective and have no side effects. Have a look at its properties that help to deal with this skin rash problem.

Baking soda (or sodium bicarbonate) is an acid neutralizer that helps to neutralize the acid present in urushiol oil and thereby reduce the intensity of rashes on the skin.
It pulls off the fluids and other toxins from the blisters with its sodium and other drying agents and thus make the blister dry faster.
It balances the skin’s pH levels to give you relief from itching and thereby prevent the spread of this infection to other body parts.
It has an anti-inflammatory property that helps to heal the blisters and reduces the pain and swelling to speed up the healing process.

How is Baking Soda used for treating Poison Oak?

Here we are explaining you some different ways of using baking soda for clearing poison oak rashes and itching on the skin. Choose the best and try this method regularly till you get rid of the problem.

Method – 1: (Baking Soda with Water)

When baking soda mixed with water then it exhibits numerous uses for home, health and personal care, including poison ivy rashes.

Here are few ways of using baking soda with water for curing poison ivy rashes and itching.

Baking Soda Paste – Mix 1 part of the water in 3 parts of baking soda till it forms a thick paste. Apply it on the affected skin areas. Wait for few minutes to get dry completely till it cracks and flakes off. Repeat it 3 – 4 times daily to alleviate the symptoms of itching and swelling and clear the rashes on the skin.
Baking Soda Compress – It is a soothing compress that cure pain, itching, and swelling. It is the best remedy to treat rashes if you find the blisters are oozing out the liquid. Mix 2 teaspoons of baking soda in 1 liter of water and dip few gauze pads in this water and use these wet gauze pads to cover your blisters. Wait for 10 minutes and remove it. Do it 4 times daily.
Baking Soda Bath – This bath helps to treat allergic reaction or rashes on the skin where you are unable to apply it. Pour 1 cup of baking soda in your bathtub filled with water. Soak for 20 minutes and then take your normal bath. Continue it for twice daily and add Epsom salt in this water for extra benefits.
Baking Soda – After cleaning the skin area (get contact with poison ivy plant), simply pour some baking soda directly on the affected area to clear the oil and its effect on the skin.
Baking Soda Rinse – Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda in cold water and use this water to rinse the affected area to soothe the irritated and itching skin. Repeat it as often as possible to get relief from pain and itching.

Method – 2: (Baking Soda with Oatmeal)

Oatmeal cures poison oak rashes with its phenols and avenanthramide (anti-inflammatory agents). The warm oatmeal will help to soothe the irritated skin and relieves your itching. Both baking soda and oatmeal help to balance the skin’s pH levels and thereby speed up the healing.

First of all, cook some oatmeal and keep it aside for few minutes to cool down (till lukewarm).
Then mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda in cooked oatmeal and stir well.
Now apply this paste on the poison oak rashes affected skin areas.
Wash the area with water after 20 – 25 minutes.
Repeat this application for twice daily to get rid of the problem.

Method – 3: (Baking Soda with Vinegar)

Vinegar prevents itching and irritation caused by poison oak rash with its anti-inflammatory properties. It dries out the fluids and other impurities from the blisters and rashes to enhance the faster recovery.

Put 3 teaspoons of baking soda in a small bowl and stir it well by adding enough of vinegar (prefer apple cider vinegar) to make a thick paste.
Apply this paste on the damp ivy rash affected areas of the skin.
Scrub it gently for few minutes and rinse the area with water.
Dry the area and apply organic ACV on the affected areas.
Leave it to dry completely and do the same process daily till you find the skin rashes are cleared completely.

Note: If you’re unable to bear the burning sensation or irritation after applying vinegar then you can pour few drops of water in ACV to dilute it before application.

Method – 4: (Baking Soda with Black Coffee)

Coffee has chlorogenic acid, an anti-inflammatory compound that helps you in dealing with the painful and itching rashes. So, this combination will work wonders in healing the ivy rashes and allergic reaction.

Pour enough of cold black coffee in 1/2 cup of baking soda and stir well till it forms a thick paste.
Spread this paste on the rashes affected skin areas.
Let it dry completely for few minutes and continue this application for 2 – 3 times daily until you get rid of poison oak rashes.
This application will not only soothes the irritated skin but also heals the problem quickly.

Tips and Precautions:

Make sure to consult your doctor if you’re suffering from fever, nausea, difficulty in breathing, headache, swollen lymph nodes, yellow discharge from the blisters, etc. for immediate treatment to get rid of the problem.
Never apply these baking soda methods on the rashes developed on the genitals, mouth, eyes or other sensitive areas of the skin.
Also, avoid inhaling the smoke of poison oak or ivy plant, as it will also toxic and causes an allergic reaction on the skin.
Don’t scratch, scrub or pop the blisters, as it spread the infection to other areas of the skin and make the situation worse.
Whenever you go to woods or forest areas then take some skin care like wearing long sleeves to cover your skin, take a bottle of ACV and baking soda, wear gloves to remove these plants, rinse your hands thoroughly before eating food, rinse the skin exposed area immediately with water, etc.
Remove the clothes which you came into contact with poison oak plant and wash them immediately to prevent its spread.
Prevention is best than cure. So, identify those poisonous plants and avoid getting into contact with them.

Hope you find the article helpful and try these baking soda methods to get rid of poison oak rash. Do you know any other successful baking soda methods for poison oak or ivy rashes? Then share your experience with us in the below comments box.

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