How to Treat a Rash Caused from Agapanthus

Agapanthus is a flowering herb with blue or white flowers that originates from South Africa. Contact with the plant's sap can cause skin and eye irritation, as well as severe mouth pain if eaten. Rashes caused by agapanthus are typically not life threatening and are more of an annoyance than anything else. Once you have removed the agapanthus from your environment, you will need to treat the rash itself. The rash is typically sort lived and goes away on its own, but you will be suffering with itchy, irritated skin until it dissipates. There are simple solutions to help relieve inflamed skin and provide some comfort to those inflicted with the rash 1.

Using warm water and a mild soap, wash the skin thoroughly that has come in contact with the sap. Pat dry with a towel.

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Take a cool bath. Sitting in a bathtub filled with cool water for at least 20 minutes can provide relief from the itching and discomfort caused by the rash. You can take a cool bath as often as needed to provide relief.

Add oatmeal to your bath water. Oatmeal is a natural itch reliever. Adding two cups of rolled oats under the running water will sooth rashes and insect bites. You can also mix oatmeal with water to form a paste and apply it directly to the affected skin as a topical treatment. The oatmeal paste can be applied as often as needed.

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Sprinkle baking soda into the bath water to comfort aggravated skin 1. As with oatmeal, baking soda can naturally relieve itchy, inflamed skin. Add a generous amount of baking soda under running water. Swirl the water and baking soda using your hand to help it dissolve. Baking soda can be found at your local food store in the baking aisle.

Apply anti-itch cream or calamine lotion to the inflamed skin 1. Both are nonprescription hydrocortisone products that can be purchased at your local food or drug store.

Take an oral antihistamine such as Benadryl to relieve severe itching. Benadryl is an over-the-counter oral antihistamine that is used to treat sneezing, itching, runny nose, watery eyes and other allergy-related symptoms. It can be taken by both adults and children. Read all warnings and follow the directions on the box.

Visit your physician. If the itching is unbearable or is accompanied by fever or vomiting, contact your primary care physician. Tell him that you recently came in contact with the sap of the agapanthus plant so he can treat you accordingly.

Warnings

Avoid touching the area that has come in contact with the sap. If sap is still present, you may spread the rash from one area to another.