Toxic plants named Poison ivy are found in North America and are responsible for different skin issues (dermatitis). Therefore using natural remedies such as witch hazel for poison ivy can be very useful in reducing and soothing the condition of dermatitis if applied in the initial stage.
Around 50 million Americans get affected by this condition every year, and about 85% U.S population is allergic to poison ivy.
Poison ivy oozes urushiol – an irritant oil that causes dermatitis (a skin infection). This substance does not have any color or smell.
If you come in contact with a dead or live poison Ivy plant or you touch any tools, clothes, or animals which have come in contact with urushiol, then your skin develops a rash, which is known as allergic contact dermatitis(1).
During allergic reactions, you can observe an immediate outbreak, or sometimes it appears after some time of contact, i.e., within 72 hours.
The plant, like poison ivy(2), if it comes in contact with your skin, causes a severe allergic reaction, which results in rashes in the skin, causing itching, redness badly. Witch hazel is also another natural remedy that helps in curing the effect of poison ivy.
Witch hazel is an astringent made out of the leaves and bark of the hamamelis Virginiana plant, diluted with water. Therefore a distilled liquid form of witch hazel for poison oak and Ivy helps in reducing the condition and is applied to the area for reducing swelling, itching, which is caused by poison ivy rash.
The astringent obtained from the bark and leaves of witch hazel plant has potent anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties due to which witch hazel for poison ivy gives instant relief from the itchiness, and helps soothes the skin.
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Poison ivy can also give rise to various skin issues like dermatitis in which red, itchy rashes appear on the part of the body which comes in contact with the plant.
Medicated creams can reduce the condition, but natural remedies like witch hazel for poison ivy do not have any side effects and are helpful. Therefore natural resources are the best option for the removal of skin issues and its treatments.
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If witch hazel is applied immediately before the formation of the rash, it can be beneficial. Still, if the outbreaks occur, it will take a few weeks for the rash to disappear with the continuous application of witch hazel.
five to 12 days
Most rashes caused by poison ivy, last from five to 12 days. In severe cases, the rash can last for 30 days or more.
Signs and Symptoms of Poison Ivy
When you are infected, the skin becomes red, itchy, and swollen. After a few days, the blisters may become crusty and start to flake off. The rash that people get from poison ivy takes 1 to 2 weeks to heal.