Last time, I went over how to take care of a cow parsnip burn. Today, we are going to go over another plant that likes to bite back: stinging nettles.When I was about six, my parents moved to a wooded area next to a river. Oh, the exploration that I did! But I quickly learned to stay away from the heart shaped leaves with saw-toothed edges. The first time I encountered it, I didn’t know what was happening. I had been running but tripped and fell right into a big patch of stinging nettle. Immediately, a stinging nettle rash started to appear. It burned and scared me so much that I started crying and screaming bloody murder. My parents came running and couldn’t figure out what had caused my outburst because I was blubbering so much. When they finally figured it out (after having to call some people who knew a little more about stinging nettle – this was before the internet), what they did to treat it – pouring cold water on the affected area, still didn’t take all of the pain away. I wish they knew what I know now. Today, I’m going to go over some wonderful, natural at home remedies for stinging nettle rash.

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What happens when you run into stinging nettle

All Urtica species have little hairs that cover both the leaves and the stems. Once you come into contact with the nasty little buggers, a rash that stings, then itches appears. The sting, depending on your source, comes from either formic acid or a histamine compound. An article from Healthline attributes the sting to a variety of chemicals that are released when the needle-like hairs come into contact with your skin. These include histamine, acetylcholine, serotonin, leukotrienes, and moroidin. The combination of these chemicals not only causes the stinging sensation, but the itchy one after the stinging goes away.

Incidentally, the stinging of stinging nettle is supposed to help with arthritis. A woman who lived in an intentional community with me used to harvest the nettles bare-handed. Natives have also used the fresh switches to whip themselves to help relieve the pain. Some medical research has shown this to be true.

Plants to use against stinging nettle rash

If you accidentally run into some stinging nettles, chances are you will likely be around one of these other plants that can help take away the sting.

Stinging Nettle – I have not used this one as I have successfully avoided getting a rash since finding this remedy. You are supposed to be able to rub the crushed leaves on the affected area (it is recommended that to crush the leaves, you rub them between gloved hands).

Yellow dock – Crush up the leaves of dock to make sure the juices get flowing. You can either then put just the juice on it or put a poultice on the affected area.

Plantain – Use plantain pretty much the same way as yellow dock.

Jewelweed – Use jewelweed the same as yellow dock. Additionally, you can make a decoction out of the entire plant, wait for it to cool and then wash the area with the decoction.

Scruffy coating of fiddleheads – Since there is no juice, just take them off of the fiddleheads and rub the area with them. If you harvest a lot of fiddleheads, this is the perfect thing to save the scruffy coating for!

Other things to use against stinging nettle rash

What my parents did – pouring cold water over the rash – only helped take away the sting. It didn’t help with itch afterwards. So what you need to do:

1) Wait ten minutes for the juices to dry to make it easier to remove said juices.

2) Wash the affected area with soap and cold water. Liquid soap is better so the hairs to get picked up by the bar soap and spread. Do not use heat as it makes the stinging/itching worse.

3) Use tape to pick up the hairs.

4) If there is continued discomfort, use one of the plants above, except the stinging nettle itself. You’ve already taken care of what that would help with. I recommend the plantain as it is excellent for a lot of skin ailments having to do with inflammation. You can also use my wound balm!

Now you know how to treat two of the most irritating plants in Alaska! It might be fall, but now you’re ready for next hiking season!