Poison Ivy

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Poison ivy is a plant. It has three bright green leaves on each stem that turn red in the autumn. Poison ivy can cause an itchy, uncomfortable rash on your skin. Touching plants like poison oak and poison sumac can cause the same kind of rash. Poison ivy grows as a shrub or vine in woods, fields, and areas of thick underbrush.
  
  
• A poison ivy rash is usually red, itchy, and swollen with blisters. You get a rash by touching the oil of the poison ivy plant. The oil begins soaking into your skin within minutes and causes a rash usually in 12 to 72 hours. You may get a rash from touching pets that have poison ivy oil on their fur. You may get a rash from touching the plant directly. You may also get it from touching clothing, sports or camping equipment, and tools that have oil on them. Poison ivy oil is sticky and long-lasting. If you do not wash clothing and other items, the oil can stay on them. Oil on these items can cause you to keep getting new rashes, even years later.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Take your medicine as directed:

Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not working as expected. Tell him if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a current list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when, how, and why you take them. Take the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists.

How can I take care of my rash?

• Keep your rash clean. Wash with soap and water. Gently pat it dry with a clean towel.
  
  
• Try not to scratch or rub your rash.
  
  
• Try to stay cool. Getting hot and sweaty makes itching worse.
  
  
• Put a compress on your rash. Dip a clean washcloth in cool water or Burow's solution. Wring it out and place it on your rash. Leave the washcloth on your skin for 15 minutes. Do this at least 3 times per day. Follow package instructions carefully when using Burow's solution.
  
  
• If the area is too large to cover with wet hand towels, take 3 or 4 cornstarch baths daily. Mix 1 pound of cornstarch with a little water to make a paste. Add the paste to a tub full of water and mix well. You may also use colloidal oatmeal in the bath water. Use lukewarm water. Hot water may cause your itching to increase.

How can I prevent a poison ivy rash in the future?

• Do not touch plants that look like poison ivy.
  
  
• Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and gloves if you go out to areas where poison ivy might grow.
  
  
• Put on skin block to protect it from poison ivy oil. You can buy IvyBlock™ (Bentoquatam) at grocery or drug stores without a prescription. Use a cool water and soap. Use rubbing alcohol or a cleansing lotion to remove the oil from your skin.
  
  
• Wash pets, clothing, and other items with warm soapy water. Do this as soon as possible after they have touched poison ivy. Dry clean items you cannot wash in water.
  
  
• Never burn poison ivy plants. This can spread the oil through the air. If you breathe the oil into your lungs, you could have swelling and serious breathing problems. Oil that clings to the fire ash can land on your skin and cause a rash.
  
  
• Remove poison ivy plants from your yard. Wear protective clothing, such as long pants, sleeves, heavy gloves, and closed-toe shoes. If you are very sensitive to poison ivy, have someone else remove the plant for you. Pull the plant out by the root. Place it in a plastic bag and seal tightly. Do not touch anyone or anything after you pull out the poison ivy. Wash all clothing items immediately with warm, soapy water.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have a fever.
  
  
• There is pus, soft yellow scabs, or tenderness on the rash.
  
  
• The itching gets worse or keeps you awake at night.
  
  
• The rash spreads to your eyes, mouth, or crotch (genital area). Call if it covers more than one fourth of your skin area.
  
  
• The rash is not better after 2 to 3 weeks.
  
  
• You have problems that may be caused by the medicines you are taking.
  
  
• You have tender, sore lumps on the sides of your neck (swollen glands).
  
  
• You have a severe (very bad) headache.
  
  
• Your body is very swollen (puffy).

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You have trouble breathing.
  
  

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Poison Ivy (Aftercare Instructions)