Poison Ivy Rash
A painful, itchy reaction to a resin called urushiol, poison ivy rash causes redness, blisters, itching and swelling. While most poison ivy rashes go away on their own after a few days, some result in serious complications that demand medical intervention.
What Causes it?
Poison oak, sumac and poison ivy contain a resin called urushiol, which can irritate human skin. When you touch the leaves, stems or roots of these plants, urushiol is often transferred to your skin or clothing. Only about 50 percent of people have a sensitivity to urushiol. Of those, a small percentage experience significant reactions that can lead to serious infections.
Usually, people come into contact with urushiol while camping, hiking or gardening. It typically takes from 12 to 48 hours for symptoms to occur. Most often, the rash remains localized to the area of contact; however, you can spread the resin to other parts of your body by scratching.
When to Seek Help
The vast majority of poison ivy rashes heal without treatment. For some, however, complications can occur. If you notice any of the following after being exposed to urushiol, visit a medical professional:
- A rash persisting longer than two weeks
- A fever greater than 100° F
- Blisters oozing pus
- Rash on the genitals or face
- Severe rash all over the body
Treatments
Most people can find relief at home using cold compresses, oral antihistamines, calamine lotion, over-the-counter corticosteroid creams and cool baths containing soothing oatmeal-based bath products.
If you visit the doctor for a serious reaction, he or she may prescribe an oral corticosteroid, such as prednisone, along with antibiotics to treat or guard against bacterial infection.
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