Home Remedies for Rashes

Those evil little red bumps of a skin rash, in the grand scheme of things, may be a minor a problem. However, when all you want to do is scratch that inflamed skin, it can be all encompassing.

It feels so good scratch, but you know you are making it worse. Luckily for you, there are many quick and easy home remedies you can to try to heal your rash and the soothe the itch that often comes along with them.

The Best Home Remedies for Rashes

You want to get rid of that stinging inflammation, and fast. Here are some cheap, quick, and easy home remedies you can use at home to treat both the symptoms and the rash itself.

Oatmeal

By taking a soothing oatmeal bath, you can reduce inflammation, ease inflammation, and alleviate skin irritation. A natural anti-inflammatory, oatmeal is excellent for treating rashes caused by allergies, eczema, sunburn, poison ivy, and chicken pox.

To make an oatmeal bath:

1. grind up some oatmeal in a food processor, blender, or coffee grinder.
2. Mix one cup of the ground up oatmeal into a warm bath and luxuriate in its soothing goodness for at least 15 minutes.

Take an oatmeal bath daily until the rash is gone. If you don’t have time for a bath and just want instant relief, you can make an oatmeal poultice. Add a bit of water to a cup of uncooked oatmeal and let sit until it becomes a paste-like consistency. Apply the paste directly to the rash and leave on/apply as needed.

Chamomile Tea

Chamomile tea soothes you inside and out. This tea seemingly has it all with its anti-inflammatory, anti-irritant, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. It soothes the skin, reduces inflammation, and relieves itching.

To get relief fast:

1. Soak a clean washcloth in chamomile tea and then place it on the infected area as a compress.
2. Leave on for 15 minutes. Repeat 2-3 times a day, every day, until the rash is gone.

Chamomile essential oil is just as effective. Dilute a couple of drops of essential oil with a coconut oil and rub into the affected area.

​Aloe Vera

In terms of rashes, Aloe Vera is nature’s miracle cure. This magic plant soothes and treats rashes via its emollient, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fungal properties. Along with healing the rash, it also soothes the upset skin, reduces redness, and relieves itching.

If you have an Aloe Vera plant:

1. Take a leaf from the plant and squeeze it until the pulp comes out.
2. Apply this pulpy gel directly to the affected area.
3. Repeat three times a day, daily, until the rash is gone.

If you don’t have an Aloe Vera plant, you can buy Aloe Vera gel or extract.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E not only soothes rashes, but it also protects your skin from the ultraviolet rays of the sun, preventing further irritation. This anti-oxidant is gentle on the skin and also contains anti-aging benefits.

• Simply squeeze a vitamin E capsule and apply the oil directly to the affected area.

​Olive Oil

Extra-virgin olive oil is a popular remedy to heal and soothe those awful rashes. This moisturizing oil is rich in antioxidants and vitamin E, which helps facilitate skin healing and renewal.

To experience the healing benefits of olive oil:

1. Mix equal parts oil and honey together.
2. Apply this soothing mixture to your rash twice daily until it’s gone.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Are you surprised that apple cider vinegar is on this list? Me either. Apparently a bottle of this stuff if a cure-all. This magic skin healing potion contains antiseptic and antifungal properties that instantly relieves itching and fights infection.

1. Simply dip a cotton ball in the vinegar and place it on the infected area.
2. Leave on for a few minutes.
3. Apply several times a day until your rash clears.
4. If straight up apple cider vinegar is too irritating on your sensitive skin, you can try diluting it with water before applying it.

Tip: It is always a good idea to test potentially irritating treatments on a small part of your body first.

Baking Soda

This antibacterial powder relieves itching, eases inflammation, and dries out skin rashes.

To experience the rash healing benefits of baking soda:

1. Mix one part baking soda to three parts water and stir.
2. Apply this mixture directly to the rash.
3. Leave on for a few minutes and rinse off.

It is not recommended to leave on baking soda for too long, as it can become irritating. Also, don’t apply baking soda to skin that has been broken from scratching.

Calendula

Calendula essential oil soothes skin rashes, irritations, dryness, wounds, bruises, ulcers, and eczema. This herb is an anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, antifungal, antibacterial, and a wonderful astringent.

To experience the healing effects of calendula:

1. Apply the oil on the rash and leave on for a couple hours.
2. Do this twice daily until the rash vanishes.
3. You can also take a soothing calendula bath by adding a few drops to your bath water.

Almond Oil

If you want to moisturize the affected area or stop itching fast, rub a few drops of almond oil on the infected skin. This sweet smelling oil will soothe your irritated skin in no time.

Basil Leaves

Basil leaves are known for its cooling effects, which is soothing, on red, itchy, inflamed skin. Containing the anti-itch compounds camphor and thymol, these leaves relieve itching fast. Simply rub the leaf onto the skin until your urge to scratch is relieved or crush up the leaves and rub directly onto the skin.

Peppermint Leaves

The cooling sensation of peppermint leaves gives you instant relief from bug bites and itching.

• The most efficient way to experience the effects of peppermint leaves is to crush it up and rub the peppermint directly onto the skin.

Cold Compress:

Making a cold compress is a great way to reduce rashes by easing itching, swelling, and inflammation. Cold compresses are especially beneficial for rashes caused by shingles, poison ivy, insect bites and heat.

If you find your rash is starting to develop into blisters, place a cold compress on it for soothing relief.

To make a cold compress:

1. Put ice cubes into a sealed plastic bag and place on the affected area for a couple minutes.
2. This process should be repeated a few times a day for a couple days.
3. It is not recommended to place ice cubes directly on the skin.

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