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Poison ivy - oak - sumac injury    See images

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Ivy - poison; Oak - poison; Poison ivy dermatitis; Poison oak dermatitis; Poison sumac dermatitis; Sumac - poison

First Aid

1. The skin should be washed thoroughly with soap and warm water as soon as possible following exposure. Because the resin enters skin quickly, it must be washed off completely within 30 minutes to prevent a reaction.
   
2. Scrub under the fingernails with a brush to prevent spreading of the resin to other parts of the body by touching or scratching.
   
3. Wash the clothing and shoes of the exposed person with soap and hot water. Resin can linger on these surfaces for days.
   
4. Bathe animals who may have been exposed and can carry the resin on their fur.
   
5. Body heat and sweating can aggravate itching. Keep the victim cool and apply cool compresses to the skin.
   
6. Calamine lotion and topical hydrocortisone cream may be applied to the skin to help decrease itching and blistering.
   
7. Antihistamines, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine) help relieve itching and can be mildy sedating. Bathing in tepid water with one cup of Aveeno oatmeal per tub may also soothe itchy skin. Aluminum acetate (Domeboro solution) soaks can also be helpful to dry the rash and reduce itch.
   
8. In cases of severe or extensive rash, especially around the face or genitals, your physician may prescribe oral or injected steroids.
   

Do Not:

• DO NOT touch the skin or clothing of the exposed person with your bare hands, if possible, until after they have been thoroughly washed.
• DO NOT burn poision ivy, oak, or sumac to get rid of it. The resins can be spread via smoke, and can cause severe exposures to individuals far downwind.

Call Your Health Care Provider Immediately If:

• The victim is suffering a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling and/or difficulty breathing, or has had a severe reaction to a past exposure. 
• The victim has been exposed to the smoke of a burning plant.
• The rash covers more than one quarter of the body. 

Call your physician if:

• Itching is severe and cannot be controlled.
• The rash affects the face, lips, eyes, or genitals.
• The rash shows signs of infection, such as pus, yellow fluid leaking from blisters, odor, or increased tenderness.

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