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by davidpops on May 27th, 2004

davidpops

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Is there a home remedy to get rid of poison oak? Or to relieve the itching?

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Answers. 13 helpful answers below.

  • by Kelly Masters on August 28th, 2004

    Kelly Masters

    There are a couple of effective treatments that I personally have used. The first is to pour 3 cups of Oats (regular-not instant) into a bath of warm water and soak while rubbing the affected area with oats. Do this daily to relieve the itching. The second remedy does not feel good, but kills the poison oak within 2-3 days. Take 1/4 c of bleach and mix with 3/4 c warm water. Apply to the infected area using a washcloth and rub thoroughly-it will burn, but this is normal. *Do Not Use On Face*

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  • by Austinstar on April 4th, 2006

    Austinstar

    Poison Oak, Ivy, and Sumac all secret urushiol, which is what causes the allergic reaction. The reaction takes about 2 or 3 days to appear. By this time the urushiol is generally gone (from bathing) but the reaction is just starting. It is NOT contagious by touching the rash, only by coming in contact with the oil! The very best way to deal with the itch is a simple hair dryer! The heat from a hair dryer IMMEDIATELY stops the itch and also serves to dry out the rash. After the itch has stopped being so acute, the best thing is to use hydrocortisone cream to repair the damage that has been done to the skin. You will be extremely pleased with the hair dryer treatment. Be careful not to over do it and burn yourself. The itch will completely stop for several hours! Keep the hair dryer handy for several days. Another good thing is to take benedryl before bedtime to help you sleep through the night. There are some over the counter remedies at Walgreen's that will also help, but they are expensive! Namely, TechNu.

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  • by mommyofthree on May 30th, 2004

    mommyofthree

    An old man told me once, to take a cotton ball and "dab" the affected area with gas... it sounded a bit dangerous, but after trying everything else, I gave it a try. IT WORKED!!! Of course, you would have to be very careful until it dries... but it definately works. GUARANTEED!!

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  • by wickedwillie on May 27th, 2004

    wickedwillie

    Hot water makes it feel better, but only so long as you are running hot water over it. As soon as you stop it feels a whole lot worse though. But some people find that hot water really does help.

    Some people say vinegar compresses or rubbing alcohol helps. More info on http://www.knoledge.org/oak/#remedies .

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  • by janna on September 14th, 2008

    janna

    Please do not EAT the plant as suggested above. That is very dangerous and Native Americans did not eat or smoke poison oak to become immune to it...that's an old wives tale. Native Americans used the plant jewelweed to counteract the effects of poison oak, the plant usually grows a few feet from the poison oak plant. You can buy the extract at most health food stores. The hot water treatment works very well...it releases the histamine and will give relief for several hours when used together with Benadryl.

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  • by leximc on December 28th, 2008

    leximc

    Get a cotton ball and poor clorox on the cotton ball then dab it on the poison oak just not on the face. It might take a few days. If that doesnt work which it should then you get a blow dryer or get in hot bath water and soke if your in the bath and blow if your using the blow dyer over the poison oak. To some people it burns and to some people it doesnt. If it starts to burn than get out of the heat because it will make it worse. The heat sometimes works becauses it takes away the itch and dries up the poison oak. This works take my word for it ive tried it before.

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  • by sol on January 24th, 2008

    sol

    moonshine, or everclear. It will dry up the the fluid ickie ness & should be gone in a few days. Only bad part is you will smell like a saloon. lol but which is better an ich that won't quit or the smell of alcohol. good luck

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  • by fishnets on January 24th, 2007

    fishnets

    Diphenhydramine.

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  • by SkisSouthernGirl on May 27th, 2004

    SkisSouthernGirl

    Try a oatmeal bath. Add 1- 2 cups (quick 1 minute quaker oats) uncooked oatmeal with 2 tablespoon of sea salt in warm bath water. Soak until water gets cool, (if a child play in the tub). Don't wash with any soap. Pat ( don't rub) dry, put on loose clothing. Please use Sea Salt not table salt.

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  • by thallibu on August 14th, 2006

    thallibu

    My husband has tried them all (including every brand of anti-itch medicine and poison oak/ivy remedies.) The only things he does now are:

    1. Take as hot a shower as he can. (The hair dryer would work just as well.) The heat causes the release of histamines - which is what causes the itch - so after the initial itching as the histamine is released you will get a break from the itching for several hours.
    2. Wash the affected area with Denorex Shampoo (extra strentgh) which will break down the oils as well as treat the itching.
    3. Oatmeal baths if it is seriously spread over his body.
    4. Take an oral antihistamine such as Zyrtec.

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  • by Shawnan on August 20th, 2006

    Shawnan

    I Just take extremely hot bathes followed an ocean of calidryl wich i then leave out to dry.
    Not the most efective thing but it gives temporary releif of itching and/or burning

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  • by Anonymous on October 10th, 2006

    Anonymous

    Salt water, like if you live near an ocean. or make your own with salt and water.

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  • by Anonymous on January 16th, 2007

    Anonymous

    All good answers so far, I'm just tossing in my two cents' worth -- and mostly it's a prevention thing I'm offering up:
    http://wehow.ehow.com/how_2019322_prevent-poison-oak.html

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