Best Soap For Poison Ivy This Summer [7 Great Choices]

Poison ivy, a fast-growing plant with a spotted stem, is a bane of my summer. It spreads quickly, popping up on paths, fences, and trees, and grows easily in shady areas. Poison ivy can be itchy and painful, so it’s important to get rid of it as quickly as possible.

If you’ve been exposed to poison oak, poison ivy, or sumac, it’s important to take the proper steps for removing the rash. The rash itself, known as an allergic contact dermatitis, is caused by the oils found in these plants. These oils can cause redness, itching, burning, and swelling.

When a poison ivy infection is severe, some individuals experience symptoms such as fever, vomiting, and diarrhea.

What Is Poison Ivy And How Does It Affect Humans

Poison ivy is an invasive plant that is well known for its ability to cause rashes. It grows in temperate and subtropical climates. The leaves of the plant contain an oil that causes an allergic reaction when exposed to human skin. The oil is released when a plant is touched. The skin reacts to this oil by producing a rash.

How To Identify Poison Ivy

1. The leaves have fuzzy leaves, and a network of veins placed along the edges.

2. The leaves often have three leaflets.

3. The leaves usually grow to between two and five inches but can grow to a large size, to up to almost a foot in diameter.

4. The leaves are covered with fine hairs.

5. The leaves are clearly identifiable by their unique shape and growth habits.

The leaves of the poison ivy plant come in four distinct colors. The black and shiny leaves look almost like leather; the shiny green leaves are tinted yellow by the sun; the white or light green leaves are pink or red; and the green leaves are, well, green.

This plant tends to grow in the woods, especially areas where there is a lot of shade. 

How To Effectively Use Soap For Poison Ivy Relief

You may wonder, “When is the best time to use soap?” I have found the best time to start is when the rash appears, if possible. The sooner you get soap on the rash, the sooner it will be history. If your hands are dirty and you apply the soap directly to the rash, you can infect yourself. It is important to wash the soap off after 10 minutes or so.

7 Soaps For Poison Ivy That Work To Soothe The Itch

[Ed. Note: Amazon links for illustration and convenience, and are affiliate. However many of these products should be available locally in the US.]

Tecnu Extreme Poison Ivy and Oak Scrub

Tecnu Extreme Poison Ivy And Oak Scrub is recommended by doctors and health professionals, and is used by many forestry workers, landscapers, gardeners, hikers, mountain bikers, and others. It is made with natural exfoliating beads and also contains aloe vera, chamomile, green tea, and vitamin E. The product is formulated to be safe for use on sensitive skin, and it will not clog pores. It can be applied directly to your skin, safe to use on your entire body, and it will not stain clothing, towels, or sheets.

Marie’s Original Poison Ivy Soap Bar

Marie’s Original Poison Ivy Soap Bar is a soap bar that has all natural ingredients. This soap is designed to treat and prevent rashes caused by poison ivy, oak and sumac. This soap bar is made from sassafras root bark, white willow, and a powerful dose of natural clay and oat bran.

This all-natural soap bar is non-greasy, non-irritating and very effective. 

Tec Labs Tecnu Original Poison Oak & Ivy Outdoor Skin Cleanser

Tecnu Original Outdoor Skin Cleanser is the first step in treating poison ivy and poison oak, designed to be used at the first sign of a rash. This cleanser is safe to use your clothes, gear, and tools. It is also safe to use on your pets. Tecnu Original Outdoor Skin Cleanser can also be used to remove tree sap and skunk spray from your body.

Spray the Tecnu Original on the areas of the skin where you were exposed (ideally after a shower), rub it in, let it sit about two minutes (the longer the better), and then rinse with water. 

ZANFEL – Poison Ivy, Oak & Sumac Wash

Zanfel Poison Ivy, Oak & Sumac Wash is a topical solution that helps to relieve itching, pain, and burning caused by poison ivy, poison oak, and sumac. It is safe and effective and can be used for adults and children. When used correctly, Zanfel relieves itching within 30 seconds. Zanfel Poison Ivy, Oak & Sumac Wash is safe for all types of skin. It effectively removes urushiol from your skin.

The wash effectively removes urushiol from your skin by binding with it to create an aggregated cluster that can quickly and effectively be washed away with water. However it’s not recommended for sensitive or irritable skin.

Tecnu Detox Wipes, Poison Ivy Wipes

Tecnu Detox Wipes are poison ivy, oak and sumac wipes. When used immediately after exposure to poison ivy, oak and sumac, they will remove and protect you from the rash. Tecnu Detox Wipes are made of rayon derived from bamboo fiber. These wipes are easy to use, and they are also easy to carry with you. They can be used anywhere, including camping, hiking, mountain biking, gardening, landscaping, and in wildland areas.

All Terrain Natural Poison Ivy Oak Relief

The All Terrain Natural Poison Ivy/Oak Relief Bar Soap is a soap that is formulated with nourishing oils, extracts, and essential oil. It cleanses and soothes irritated skin. This soap will help activate your skin’s natural defenses and will help to soothe itching. 

This soap is a nice alternative to many chemical-based treatments and it does a good job of removing my poison ivy, oak, and sumac. The soap is soap, something that’s often forgotten. It’s a mild and gentle soap that lathers up nicely. Roasted soybean and sunflower seed oils soothe irritated skin, while tea tree oil and avocado oil moisturize and nourish. This bar soap is effective at providing relief from poison ivy, oak, and sumac.

Natrulo Poison Ivy Soap Bar with Jewelweed

The Natrulo Poison Ivy Soap Bar with Jewelweed is a soap bar that contains jewelweed. It heals and soothes irritated skin affected by poison ivy, poison oak, sumac, bites, razor burn, ringworm, jock itch, etc. It is effective in stopping itch, healing the rash, and preventing further rash and irritation. Jewelweed soap for poison ivy is 100% natural, paraben-free, GMO-free, vegan, cruelty-free, and made in the USA.

Summing Up

In conclusion, there are a few different soaps that can provide relief from poison ivy. Products with Aloe Vera, Calamine, and Jewelweed are all good options. If you are looking for a natural option, Jewelweed soap is probably the best choice. It is important to keep in mind that no soap is 100% effective, so it is still important to seek medical attention if you have a severe reaction to poison ivy.

About The Author:

Otto Wright is a budding author and traditional wet shaver.