About this topic
Poison ivy, oak, and sumac are plants that may cause rashes on the skin. The plants can be found anywhere, including the woods or your yard. The rash is caused by the oily sap of the plants. It does not smell and it is clear so you probably cant tell that it is there. Sometimes, you get a rash by touching the plants. Other times, it is from touching something else, like clothes, pets, another person, or gardening tools that have touched a plant. Smoke from burning these plants can also cause a rash. ‚
Not everyone who comes in contact with the sap will get a reaction, but most people will. A reaction may happen a few hours after you touch the sap or it may happen up to 5 days later. If the sap gets on your skin, it may become red, swollen, and very itchy. Blisters may also form. You can't catch a rash from someone else, but you can get it from someone if they transfer the sap to you. The rash may last 1 to 3 weeks. ‚
What care is needed at home?
Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do. ‚
If you have a rash: ‚
- Do not scratch or rub your skin. This can lead to infection.
- Try putting a cool, wet cloth on your rash.
- Creams and lotions, like hydrocortisone cream and Calamine lotion, may help itching and blistering.
- Take a cool shower to help ease the itching.
- Take a bath using lukewarm water. Hot water can make itching worse. Adding oatmeal bath products or baking soda may also help.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
If you have a very bad rash, your doctor may give you drugs to help with swelling and itching. ‚
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Learn what the plants look like and stay away from them. Poison ivy and poison oak have three leaves on one stem. Poison sumac has 7 to 13 leaves that grow in pairs.
- Wear long pants, long sleeves, and gloves if you must be around these plants.
- Wash your hands with soap and water within 30 minutes if you have contact with the plants.
- Scrub your fingernails carefully to prevent spreading to other parts of your body.
- Take a shower if the plants have touched your arms, legs, or other body parts. Wash well with soap and water. Do not take a bath. The oil may get into the bath water and spread to other parts of your body.
- Wash clothing and shoes with soap and hot water. Wash anything else, like gardening tools that may have touched a plant.
- Wash your pets to remove oil from the fur. Pets do not get this rash but you may get it from touching oil on their fur.
- Do not burn these plants. This will spread the oil into the air. It can cause very bad problems with other people if the wind is blowing.
- If you are prone to getting a reaction from these plants, you may want to consider using over-the-counter products that can help block the oil from getting into the skin.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, wound that will not heal.
- Trouble breathing or swallowing
- Swelling of the face or swelling that makes your eyes shut
- A rash that covers a large part of your body
- Pain, swelling, warmth, or pus around the rash
- A rash in your eyes, mouth, or genital area
- Very bad itching that doesnt get better or keeps you awake at night
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you how to care for my rash.
- I can tell you how I will take extra care to prevent this from happening in the future.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have trouble breathing or swallowing, or if the rash covers a large part of my face or my body.
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Dermatology ‚
http://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/diseases-and-treatments/m---p/poison-ivy ‚
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/kid/ill_injure/aches/poison_ivy.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚