While “ivy” is often identified with stately beauty, poison ivy has an entirely different connotation; after all, poison ivy leaves a rash that can cause incessant itching for several weeks, and this is why it is important for anyone who spends time outside to know how to avoid and treat poison ivy.
Of course, avoiding poison ivy is your safest bet when it comes to poison ivy, and it is generally easy to spot for the way in which it grows: three leaves together, all with an almond shape. While there are more plants than just poison ivy that fit this description, anyone who is not an expert at identifying poison ivy will be wise to err on the safe side by avoiding all plants that fit this description.
The first thing you should do if you come in contact with poison ivy (despite your best efforts to avoid it) is to thoroughly wash everything that might have come in contact with the plant; this includes not only your skin, but your clothes as well!
The next thing you should do is take a bath; draw a cool bath, add about five cups of either ground oatmeal or baking soda, and soak in this concoction for about a half an hour. You can also cover the affected area with a homemade, salve-like paste created from baking soda and water.
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A lot of people make the mistake of trying to keep themselves from scratching the rash by covering it, but you should actually leave the rash open to the air, as this will help it to heal much more quickly than if you cover it up.
You should easily be able to clear up your poison ivy in one or two weeks by following these steps, but if the problem becomes unbearable (and if you cannot refuse the urge to itch), visit your doctor, and allow him to prescribe something stronger!
