Poison Ivy Treatments

On this page you will learn about various poison ivy treatments and other information about the symptoms, prevention and when to seek medical attention.

• An intensely itching rash.
  
  
• Red bumps that are often straight lined or in streaks.
  
  
• Blisters that are filled with fluid.

• Normally found throughout the United States with the exception of Alaska and Hawaii.
  
  
• Can grow as a vine or shrub.
  
  
• The leaves are glossy with a smooth edge or a tooth edge that always come in three's.
  
  
• In springtime they are reddish in color.
  
  
• Summertime they are green.
  
  
• Fall they can be yellow, orange or red.
  
  
• Can have white berries.

• In the Eastern United States it grows as low shrubs and on the Pacific Coast it grows as tall clumps or long vines.
  
  
• The leaves are fuzzy green and come in clusters of three.
  
  
• Leaves are lobed and have deeply toothed edges and round tips.
  
  
• Leaves resemble oak leaves.
  
  
• Can have yellow-white berries.

• Normally grows as a small tree or tall shrub, in swamps or bogs in the Midwest, Northeast or Southeast.
  
  
• The leaf consists of clusters of seven to thirteen leaflets with a smooth edge or a tooth edge.
  
  
• In the spring, the leaves are the color of orange.
  
  
• In the summer, the leaves are green.
  
  
• In the fall the leaves are red, orange or yellow.
  
  
• Can have yellow-white berries.

• Make sure you avoid poison ivy, oak and sumac by being able to recognize them.
  
  
• If you think that you may be working around poison ivy, wear long sleeves and long pants, tucked into boots, and impermeable gloves.
  
  
• If you come into contact with a poisonous plant, wash your skin in cool water as soon as possible to remove the oils of the plant and keep it from spreading further.
  
  
• Pets are not usually sensitive to poison ivy, oak or sumac but oil from these plants can stick on their fur and if someone pets them, it can cause a reaction. So immediately shampoo your pet. It is recommended that you wear rubber gloves.
  
  
• Product such as, (Ivy Block), (Armor) and (Tecnu), should be used on your skin if you know that you may come into contact with one of these plants.
  
  
• Immediately remove and wash clothing, gloves and shoes in soap or detergent.

• Wash the affected area in cool water only, no soap.
  
  
• Then take a shower with soap and water.
  
  
• Apply an over-the-counter topical corticosteroid preparation or take a prescribed oral corticosteriod.
  
  
• Do not scratch the rash or blisters. It can cause an infection from the bacteria under your nails.
  
  
• To relieve itching and irritation caused by these poisonous plants, apply a topical over-the-counter skin lotion. Calamine lotion, Band-Aid Anti-Itch Gel or creams containing menthol such as, (Sarna) are good options.
  
  
• To help you sleep, use an oral antihistamine such as, (Benadryl) or similar products.
  
  
• Use colloidal oatmeal (Aveeno) in cool water tub soaks.
  
  
• Use cool, wet compresses several times a day for 15 to 30 minutes.

• Your body temperature over 100 degrees F.
  
  
• You have puss, soft yellow scabs, or a rash that is very tender.
  
  
• You can not sleep at night.
  
  
• The itching gets worse.
  
  
• The rash has spread to the eyes, mouth or genital area.
  
  
• The rash covers one fourth of your skin area.
  
  
• The rash does not improve within a few days.

• Poison ivy and other plant rashes are not contagious and can not be spread from person to person.
  
  
• Make sure you clean all clothing, garden tools or anything that has come into contact with the poisonous plant oil with soap and water or rubbing alcohol. The plant oil has been know to linger for long periods of time and can still cause a skin reaction if touched.
  
  
• Do not burn poison ivy, oak or sumac! Breathing these fumes can be deadly.