Common Symptoms of Poison Ivy

Poison Ivy is a form of contact dermatitis, usually caused by the oil(s) Urushiol and Toxicodendrol. Urushiol is a chemical or resin produced by the leaf of the poison ivy plant, while Toxicodendrol is the sticky sap that comes from the branches.

About 85% of the population has an allergic reaction to poison ivy, oak, and sumac. Try to avoid contact with the plant but if you are gardening or hiking, try to wear long pants and shirts. Also if you are planning a hiking trip or any outdoor activity try applying a cream with Bentoquatum (every four hours) this will create a hard clay like barrier on your skin and prevent you from attaining poison ivy. However, you will have to wash it off immediately after you return home. Another good tip, for gardeners is that you should tuck your long sleeved shirt into your gloves so that the poison ivy leaves cannot get in contact with your skin. Make sure to wash your hands and skin immediately after contact (if you cannot avoid complete contact), this will help to eliminate your chances of getting the rash. The longer you wait the less your chances are of reducing the toxic resins from your skin. For example if you wait ten minutes to wash your hands or skin you will only be able to rinse off 50% of the resins and after thirty minutes you will only be able to remove 10% of the resins. To reduce the chances of getting the rash be sure to wash all clothing and gardening tools that came into contact with the poison ivy plant, using alcohol or bleach to disinfect anything.

After about one to three days, a rash will incur, usually in a streak or line (on or about where the leaf or branch has rubbed up against you) and your body will fill the skin with water, creating blisters (this is your body's way of reacting to the resin of the poison ivy plant). This rash can last anywhere from 14-21 days or longer. If your rash lasts longer be sure to go to the doctor, where they can administer a steroid shot that should help clear the rash within a few days.

Redness, swelling, itching, burning, and blistering are all common symptoms of an allergic reaction. After about 24 hours the rash is no longer contagious and should not spread allowing you to be safe to return to work or school.

www.aad.org/public/publication/pamphlets/skin_poision.html

www.medicinenet.com/poison_ivy/article.htm

www.quickcare.org/skin/poison.html