Poison Ivy

The Basics

Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate пїЅ пїЅ

What is poison ivy? " пїЅ Poison ivy is a plant that can cause an itchy, red skin rash. When people have this rash, they often say, "I got poison ivy. " пїЅ пїЅ пїЅ

The same substance that causes the poison ivy rash is also found in poison oak, poison sumac, the ginkgo fruit, and mango peels. пїЅ пїЅ

How did I get poison ivy? " пїЅ You might have gotten poison ivy if you: пїЅ пїЅ

Touched a poison ivy plant
Touched something that had the plants oils on it (such as clothing, animal fur, or garden tools)
Were nearby when poison ivy plants were being burned

What does poison ivy look like? " пїЅ Poison ivy and poison oak have 3 leaves coming off a single stem. That's why there is a saying, "leaves of 3, let them be. " пїЅ The leaves start out green, but they can turn red or brown. Even dead plants can cause the rash. пїЅ пїЅ

What will happen to my rash? " пїЅ Your rash should go away within 1 to 3 weeks, but it might form blisters before it does. Blisters are little bubbles of skin that are filled with fluid. They can show up in different places at different times. But that does not mean that the rash is spreading. Touching the blisters or the fluid inside the blisters will not spread the rash. пїЅ пїЅ

What can I do to relieve the itching? " пїЅ You can: пїЅ пїЅ

Avoid scratching (that makes the itch worse)
Try putting a cold, wet cloth or paper towels on your rash
Use calamine lotion
If your blisters have started to pop, use skin products that havealuminum acetate in them (examples include Burrow's solution and Domeboro)

Should I see a doctor or nurse? " пїЅ You should see your doctor or nurse if: пїЅ пїЅ

Your rash is severe
Most of your body is affected
Your face or genitals are affected
You have a lot of swelling
You are not sure that you have poison ivy
Your rash oozes pus or gives other signs of being infected
Your rash does not get better after 2 to 3 weeks

If you have a very bad rash, your doctor or nurse can prescribe medicines called steroids. These medicines can reduce swelling and relieve itching. Steroids come in creams, ointments, and pills. Your doctor or nurse will decide what form you should use. пїЅ пїЅ

Steroid creams and ointments are also sold without a prescription. But non-prescription versions are not usually strong enough to help with poison ivy. пїЅ пїЅ

Some creams or lotions can make your rash worse " пїЅ The products listed below sometimes cause a reaction that makes your skin more itchy or irritated: пїЅ пїЅ

Antihistamine creams or lotions
Numbing products that have benzocaine
Antibiotic ointments that have neomycin or bacitracin

How do I keep from getting poison ivy again? " пїЅ You can: пїЅ пїЅ

Stay away from poison ivy, even if the plant is dead
Wear long sleeves and pants when working near poison ivy, and wash your clothes right away when you are done
Wear thick vinyl gloves when doing yard work (latex and rubber gloves do not always protect against poison ivy)
Gently wash with soap and water if you do touch poison ivy (do not scrub)
Avoid burning poison ivy plants

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ

Topic 15494 Version 5.0 пїЅ пїЅ

Release: 22.8 - C22.206 пїЅ пїЅ

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Poison Ivy

The Basics

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

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