Poison ivy is a common plant that can cause an itchy, irritating rash in most people when they come into contact with the plant’s oil called urushiol. The rash results from an allergic reaction to the urushiol. Some people are highly sensitive and will break out from the slightest touch, while others can come into contact with poison ivy and not have any reaction at all.
When you get poison ivy, the first thing you want to do is wash the oil off your skin as soon as possible. The longer urushiol sits on the skin, the greater the chance the rash will occur and spread. Washing with soap and water is the most effective way to remove the oil. But sometimes soap and water are not readily available if you’re out hiking or doing yardwork. This leads to the question – can you use hand sanitizer to help remove poison ivy oil instead?
How Hand Sanitizer Works
Hand sanitizer is effective at killing germs on the skin because it contains alcohol, usually ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol in concentrations around 60-95%. The alcohol denatures proteins and dissolves lipids, disrupting the cell membranes and killing many types of bacteria and viruses.
Hand sanitizer works best on hands that are not visibly dirty or greasy. The alcohol can dissolve grease and dirt, but is not as effective as soap and water for removing grime. It simply helps reduce the number of germs, not remove them entirely.
Can Hand Sanitizer Remove Urushiol Oil?
Urushiol oil is different from the types of germs that hand sanitizer targets. Urushiol is an organic oil that comes from the sap of poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac plants. When this oil gets on the skin, the body’s immune system detects it and causes an allergic reaction in most people leading to the trademark itchy rash.
The key to preventing a poison ivy rash is removing the urushiol oil from the skin quickly. Standard hand sanitizer alone is not the most effective way to accomplish this for a few reasons:
Reason 1: Hand Sanitizer Does Not Emulsify Oils
Soap molecules have hydrophilic (water-loving) heads and hydrophobic (water-fearing) tails. When soap interacts with oils and grease on the skin, the hydrophobic tails wedge themselves into globs of oil while the hydrophilic heads remain outside facing the water. This allows the soap to act like an emulsifier, breaking up oils into small suspended droplets that can then be rinsed away by water.
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers do not contain soap. While the alcohol may be able to dissolve some oils, it does not have the same emulsifying ability. The urushiol oil may simply reform into globs after the hand sanitizer evaporates.
Reason 2: Hand Sanitizer Does Not Provide the Same Mechanical Removal as Washing
Vigorously scrubbing with soap and water generates friction that helps lift oil and grease off the skin surface and rinse it away. Hand sanitizer does not provide the same kind of mechanical removal – it relies solely on the chemical dissolving action of the alcohol. A good scrubbing with soap and water is better for physically removing the urushiol oil.
Reason 3: Hand Sanitizer May Spread the Oil Over More Skin
Rubbing hand sanitizer onto skin where poison ivy oil is present runs the risk of spreading the urushiol over more area. The alcohol could dissolve some amount of the oil into the hand sanitizer, but as it evaporates it may simply deposit the contaminating oil back onto more skin. Scrubbing with soap and water neatly rinses the oil away rather than moving it around.
The Bottom Line
While hand sanitizer does contain alcohol that can dissolve some types of oils, it is not the ideal way to remove urushiol oil from poison ivy contact with the skin. The mechanical scrubbing provided by soap and water is superior for getting rid of the allergenic oil before it penetrates into the skin. Hand sanitizer is not able to emulsify and rinse away the oil as effectively.
If soap and water are immediately available after contact, washing the area vigorously for several minutes is decidedly the best action to take. However, if hand sanitizer is the only option, it is likely better than nothing. Removing some amount of the urushiol could lessen the severity of the rash. But follow up with thorough washing with soap and water as soon as feasible.
The sooner the oil is removed from the skin, the less likely an allergic reaction will develop. Always try to cleanse the area within 5-10 minutes if possible. Even if rash symptoms do appear, washing with soap and water can help stop the spread and inflammation.
Tips for Removing Poison Ivy Oil with Hand Sanitizer
If hand sanitizer is the only option after contact, here are some tips to maximize removal of the poison ivy oil:
Tip 1: Use Hand Sanitizer with 60% Alcohol or Higher
Look for a hand sanitizer containing at least 60% ethanol or isopropyl alcohol. The higher the alcohol content, the better it will be able to dissolve urushiol oil.
Tip 2: Generously Apply the Hand Sanitizer
Completely cover the affected area with hand sanitizer. Apply approximately 1-2 teaspoons per 4-5 square inches. Spread it over the entire surface that came into contact with poison ivy.
Tip 3: Let It Sit for 30 Seconds Before Rubbing
Give the alcohol a little time to dissolve the urushiol before attempting to wipe it off.
Tip 4: Gently Rub the Area for 30 Seconds Before Rinsing
Lightly rub the skin to create a little bit of mechanical action to lift the oils away after letting it sit. But be careful not to aggressively spread the oil around.
Tip 5: Rinse Thoroughly with Clean Water
Rinse the area with ample fresh, cool water to dilute any remaining oils. Pat dry with a clean towel.
Tip 6: Repeat the Process 2-3 Times
Applying, allowing to soak, gently rubbing, and rinsing the area 2-3 times will help clear more oil.
Tip 7: Follow Up ASAP with Soap and Water
Use hand sanitizer as a temporary stopgap only. Follow up with thorough washing as soon as possible. Ideally within 1 hour.
Will Hand Sanitizer Stop the Spread or Worsen a Rash?
If you develop a poison ivy rash, you may wonder if using hand sanitizer on and around the rash could help control the spread or dry it out. However, this is not recommended for a few reasons:
Can Potentially Spread the Oil Causing More Rash
If any residual traces of the urushiol oil remain on the skin near the edges of the rash, rubbing with hand sanitizer could spread it further.
Alcohol Can Irritate and Inflame the Rash
The high alcohol content in hand sanitizers can dry out the skin, especially areas already affected by poison ivy. This can lead to more irritation, inflammation, and itchiness.
Increases Risk of Infection
The rash damages the skin barrier making you more prone to bacterial infections. Using hand sanitizer on broken, weeping rash areas adds unacceptable infection risk.
Better Ways to Treat an Existing Poison Ivy Rash
If you already have a poison ivy rash, focus treatment on reducing inflammation, soothing irritation, preventing infection, and controlling itchiness. Some better options include:
Cold Compresses
Applying cold, wet compresses or cool baths can help reduce inflammation and swelling. The cold also provides soothing relief from itching.
Over-the-Counter Hydrocortisone Creams
Mild steroid creams like 1% hydrocortisone help decrease inflammation and itching associated with poison ivy rashes. Especially effective for swollen rashes like weepy blisters.
Oral Antihistamines
Antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or cetirizine (Zyrtec) block the histamine chemical responsible for rash itching. Providing much needed relief.
Calamine Lotion
Calamine contain ingredients like zinc oxide and ferric oxide that cover the rash with a protective barrier while drying fluid and oozing to aid healing.
Oatmeal Baths
Colloidal oatmeal baths create a soothing coating over the rash to ease irritation and itching. Help hydrate the skin to reduce inflammation too.
Baking Soda Paste
Making a paste with baking soda and a small amount of water can dry up blisters while also reducing itch. The sodium bicarbonate is a mild antiseptic as well.
When to Seek Medical Treatment
Most cases of poison ivy can be successfully managed at home with over-the-counter remedies and home care. But seek medical attention right away if any of the following develop:
– Rash worsens or fails to improve after 1-2 weeks of self-treatment
– Fever, pus, expanding redness, or other signs of skin infection
– Difficulty breathing, facial swelling, or other symptoms of anaphylaxis
– Extremely swollen rash and extensive body coverage
– Persistent itching that interferes with sleep or daily function
– No relief obtained from multiple over-the-counter medications
– You scratched the rash extensively leading to skin damage
– The rash develops on delicate facial areas like around eyes or mouth
Severe cases may warrant prescription steroid pills or shots to tame the body’s runaway allergic response. Antibiotics may be prescribed if bacteria infect the broken skin. Seeking prompt medical intervention can help shorten the duration and severity of highly inflammatory or widespread poison ivy rashes.
Preventing Future Poison Ivy Rashes
They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This definitely applies to avoiding the misery of poison ivy rashes. Here are some tips:
Identify and Avoid Poison Ivy Habitats
Learn how to spot poison ivy plants. Give areas where poison ivy grows a wide berth. Stay on hiking trails and do not veer into wooded or overgrown areas where poison ivy may be found.
Wear Protective Clothing
When exposure is likely, cover up with long sleeves and pants. Wear shoes that fully enclose your feet as well.
Apply Barrier Creams
Using an oil-based cream containing bentoquatam or other skin protectants can create a barrier preventing plant oils from penetrating if contact occurs.
Carefully Clean Tools and Pets
Thoroughly wash any tools, equipment, or pets that may have brushed against poison ivy to avoid secondary exposure. Dogs and other pets can pick up urushiol oil on their fur.
Learn Poison Ivy Identification and Avoidance
Know how to identify poison ivy during different seasons so you can be on the lookout year-round. Understanding the plant’s growth habits and habitats helps avoid encounters.
Shower and Scrub Skin After Exposure
If you know you came into contact with poison ivy, wash skin and hair with soap and warm water immediately to remove any lingering oils that could cause rash.
Conclusion
While hand sanitizer contains alcohol that can dissolve some oils, it is not very effective for removing poison ivy’s urushiol oil after exposure. The mechanical scrubbing provided by soap and water does a much better job of lifting the oil away quickly before it can trigger an allergic reaction. If hand sanitizer is the only option, generous application and rinsing can remove some amount of the oil, but always follow up promptly with proper washing. Do not use hand sanitizer on existing rash, as it risks spreading the oil and irritating the skin. Prevent poison ivy rashes by learning to identify the plant, wearing protective clothing, and vigorously scrubbing skin after any suspected poison ivy contact using soap and lots of water.
