It that time of year, watch out for the Poison Ivy

It that time of year, watch out for the Poison Ivy. POISON IVY home remedies Cucumber calms the rash. It's not exactly a day at the spa, but cucumber slices are one of the simplest poison ivy home remedies. Either place slices of this cooling veggie on the affected area, or mash it up to make a cucumber "paste" and apply to the skin for soothing relief. Banana peel cools the itch. Rubbing the inside of a banana peel on poison ivy-affected skin is an old wives tale that could provide relief because of the peel's cooling qualities. Watermelon rinds are another food some swear by. Apple cider vinegar kills the poison. With its many medicinal qualities, it's no surprise that apple cider vinegar has also been shown to be a powerful poison ivy home remedy. One way to apply it is to soak a brown paper bag in apple cider vinegar, then place it on the rash to draw out the toxins. Baking soda speeds up recovery. A paste of baking soda smeared on your skin might help draw toxins to the surface, which is why the alkaline powder also is known as a natural pimple treatment. To soothe a poison ivy rash, especially one red with blisters, mix 3 teaspoons baking soda and 1 teaspoon water and apply the paste to the affected areas. When it dries, the baking soda will flake off, providing at least temporary relief. Another poison ivy home remedy is to soak in a cool bath with 1 cup of baking soda mixed in. You can also use baking soda to treat oozing blisters caused by the rash. Mix 2 teaspoons baking soda in 1 quart (or 1 liter) water and use it to saturate a few sterile gauze pads. Cover the blisters with the wet pads for 10 minutes, four times a day. Note: Do not apply on or near your eyes. Rubbing alcohol prevents spreading. If you're going to be in areas where there might be poison ivy, it's a good idea to carry rubbing alcohol with you. Apply it to the affected areas immediately after contact to slow down and minimize the discomfort; this poison ivy home remedy prevents urushiol, the chemical responsible for the rash, from fully penetrating your skin.