POISON IVY, OAK, AND SUMAC SKIN RASHES

The most common cause of allergic skin reactions in the United States is poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. These plants are weeds with 3 leaves. These vines or bushes are found throughout the United States. The leaves, stems, and roots release a sap that contains poisonous oils. Contact with these oils can cause a rash with blisters.

You can get the rash by directly coming in contact with the plant. Or, you can get it by touching the fur of an animal that has the oil on it. Pieces of clothing or other objects that came in contact with the oil can also transfer the oil to others. These oils can also remain active for months.

The oil enters the skin quickly and usually causes a rash to appear within 12 to 48 hours. The first sign is a red line or rash, which begins to swell. Blisters and a severe itching follow. In a few days, the blisters crust and begin to scale. The rash usually heals within 10 days to 2 weeks.

The rash can be anywhere on the body. Thin-skinned areas, like the face, are usually affected first. Contrary to popular belief, the rash does not spread. It just breaks out in other areas, like the legs and trunk, because the skin is thicker and it takes longer for the oil to penetrate. Another myth is that the oozing fluid can spread the rash. This is not true either. The fluid from the rash does not contain the oil.

If you come in contact with the oil, quick action is needed to prevent the rash. Remove clothes and shoes as quickly as possible. Be careful not to touch the areas that might contain the oils. Wear gloves, if possible. Then discard the gloves.

Wash all skin areas well with soap and water within 5 to 10 minutes of contact. If soap is not available, rinse skin well with water, wash in a stream or lake or wash with a garden hose. The most important thing is to wash the oil off the skin as quickly as possible. Wash all clothes, tools, pets, or other items that may have come in contact with the oil. Use gloves when handling these items. Remember, the oil can remain active for months.

If you come in contact with the oil, symptoms can include:

intense itching
red blotches that are raised or flat
blisters that may form lines
fever
headache
swelling of the throat and/or eyes
overall body swelling
infection of open areas
stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea

Contact your healthcare provider if:

the rash is severe or if it is on the face or genitals
the rash covers more than 20 percent of your body
you have any difficulty breathing
the rash becomes infected (extreme redness, pain, pus)
you have a fever, headache, or other severe symptoms

To relieve the itch and soothe the skin:

apply cool compresses and cool baths or showers to ease the itching
take lukewarm baths with 1/2 cup cornstarch or colloidal oatmeal, such as Aveeno, to ease the itching
keep the area clean and dry
keep fingernails trimmed and clean to prevent opening the skin and possible infection
try not to scratch the rash to avoid opening the skin and possible infection
apply a compress wet with Burow's solution (available at your drugstore) to relieve inflammation
use Calamine lotion to dry the rash
do not continue lotion antihistamine, such as Caladryl
do not use over-the-counter lotions or ointments with anesthetics or cortisone, unless instructed by your provider

The best prevention is to recognize these plants and stay away from them. Remember the old saying, "Leaves of 3, leave them be". The leaves of all 3 plants are shiny. But the looks of the plants can vary. Poison ivy can grow as a low shrub or a vine. Poison oak can be a low shrub or a small tree with yellow berries. Poison sumac is a shrub with cream-colored berries and leaves that are green in the summer and red in the fall.

If you are going into the woods be sure to wear long sleeved shirts, long pants, socks pulled over the pant legs, and boots.

IvyBlock is an over-the-counter lotion with an ingredient called bentoquatum that can be used to prevent exposure. It produces a clay-like barrier on the skin that protects against the oily resin in poison ivy, oak, and sumac. It must be applied at least 15 minutes before coming in contact with the plant. It should then be applied every 4 hours for continued protection. It should not be used if you already have a rash. And children under 6 should not use it.

Be careful when clearing land or burning brush that may contain any of these plants. The smoke from burning these plants can contain the oils. If inhaled, it can cause serious irritation of the lungs. If you experience breathing problems, call your provider. If it is severe, call 911.

For more information about skin problems, the American Academy of Dermatology offers a variety of services including patient and consumer education information, a physician referral directory, and links to other skin related websites. Visit their website at www.aad.org or call (888) 462-3376.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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