1
Poison ivy is a common cause of skin rashes among Americans. The vine-like plant can be identified by its characteristic shiny leaves, which grow in groups of three. The poison ivy plant grows in most locations in the United States and is especially common near riverbanks.
SYMPTOMS
The rashes from poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac are identical because they are caused by the same chemical. The rash associated with exposure to these plants is intensely itchy, red and raised; blisters typically form. The rash is caused by a reaction to the plant oil urushiol, which is found in the sap, stem, leaves and roots of the poison ivy plant. Your skin absorbs urushiol upon exposure. A rash develops over a period of hours to days after contact with poison ivy; days four through seven after exposure are usually the worst in terms of symptoms. A poison ivy rash typically lasts for one to three weeks.
WHO GETS IT
Approximately 85 percent of the population reacts to urushiol, developing a rash when the oil gets on the skin. The remaining 15 percent of the population is not sensitive to the oil and do not develop a rash. If you are sensitive to poison ivy, you develop a rash after direct contact with the plant. You can breakout in a rash from indirect exposure if the oil gets on your tools, clothes or pets. People are sometimes exposed to urushiol when poison ivy plants are burned, releasing the oil gets into the air.
TREATMENT
If you know you've been exposed to poison ivy, wash all skin areas that came into contact with the plants with lukewarm, running water and soap as soon as possible. The sooner you wash the urushiol off your skin, the more likely you can avert a skin reaction. If it has been an hour or more since you were exposed, the urushiol has probably been completely absorbed into your skin.
Treatments to ease your discomfort once a rash develops include cool showers, cool compresses, over-the-counter antihistamines, calamine lotion and over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream. Avoid scratching the rash. Scratching does not spread the rash but bacteria on your fingers may cause a skin infection.
Urushiol can remain active for months, causing re-exposure. Wash all exposed clothing in hot water and detergent. Also wash any camping, gardening, fishing or sports gear that may have been exposed with a dilute solution of bleach or rubbing alcohol.
WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR
See your doctor if you have poison ivy on your eyelids, face or genitals. Also see your doctor if you develop signs of a skin infection, such as pain, warmth, pus or a fever. Don't hesitate to call the doctor if home treatments do not ease your itchiness. Seek emergency medical care if you have difficulty breathing or swallowing.
