WHAT YOU SHOULD
KNOW
Poison ivy causes a severe rash in sensitive individuals.
The plant has three large, shiny leaves on each stem, and grows
wild in woods and fields. Poison oak, poison sumac, and ragweed
can cause a similar rash.
Causes
The rash is caused by an oil on
the plant's leaves.
Signs/Symptoms
The rash is typically red, itchy,
and swollen, with blisters on the part of the skin that touched
the poison ivy. It usually oozes at first, then gets crusty and
scaly. The liquid inside the blisters will not cause the rash
to spread.
Care
Your doctor can prescribe
medicine to relieve the itching and swelling. In addition,
follow the directions listed below.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
-
Do not scratch the rash or it may spread to other
parts of your body. Fluid from the blisters will not cause
the rash to spread, but any oil from the plant that remains
on the skin can cause new problems.
-
Wash the area with soap and water as soon as
possible. Put calamine lotion on the rash to help dry the
blisters.
-
Wash the clothes you were wearing when you touched
the plant. Wash anything else that may have picked up oil
from the plant, including shoes, hunting and sports
equipment, and tools.
-
If your dog was with you, give him a bath in soap and
water to wash off any oil from his
fur.
-
Put cool wet cloths on the rash to reduce the
itching.
-
Use plain water or Burow's solution (Domeboro®
powder), which you can buy over-the-counter. Dissolve 1
packet in 2 cups of cool water. Soak a clean towel in the
solution, wring it out, and apply it to the
rash.
-
Resoak the towel every few minutes. Apply the
solution to the rash for about an hour several times a
day.
-
If the area is too large to cover with wet cloths,
take 3 or 4 cornstarch baths daily. Mix 1 pound of
cornstarch with a little water to make a paste and add it
to a tub full of water.
-
Taking hot, soapless showers may also be
helpful.
-
To keep from getting poison ivy, watch out for the
plant and wear pants and long sleeved shirts when hiking in
woods or fields.
-
If you touch poison ivy again, try to prevent the rash
by:
-
Removing your clothes as soon as possible and
washing your entire body with soap and
water.
-
Cleaning your fingernails to remove the plant
oil.
Call Your Doctor If...
-
You have a high temperature.
-
The rash gets tender, exudes pus, or has soft yellow
scabs.
-
The itching gets worse or keeps you awake at
night.
-
The rash spreads to your eyes, mouth, or genital
area, or covers more than a quarter of your
skin.
-
The rash is not better within a few
days.
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