Self-Care Pocket Guide • Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac
Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac

Overview

Rashes related to poison ivy, oak, and sumac are caused by contact with oils contained in the sap of these plants. The severity of a reaction to these oils varies from person to person and can become more severe in the same individual with repeated exposures.

These rashes aren't contagious in the real sense. You can't give someone poison ivy if they touch your rash. However, unless you thoroughly wash the oils off your skin and items that have come in contact with the oils, you can spread the oils around by rubbing or scratching, wearing contaminated socks or clothes, or otherwise touching contaminated items.

Signs and Symptoms:

• An itchy, red rash, occasionally with blisters.
• In severe cases, cracking and weeping (oozing) of your skin.

Self-Care Measures

• Wash clothes and other items and bathe pets that could have been contaminated by the oils. Use gloves to avoid re-exposing yourself.
• Don't rub or scratch your rash.
• Use lukewarm rather than hot water for baths or showers.
• To soothe your skin and help dry a weeping rash, use baking soda or an OTC product like Aveeno Powder in your bath. You can apply calamine lotion if your skin isn't broken and your reaction is mild.
• For itching, use an OTC topical hydrocortisone cream. Use an OTC oral antihistamine, if necessary.

Red Flags

CALL THE UHS 24-HOUR NURSE ADVICE LINE 475-NURS (475-6877) IF THE FOLLOWING OCCURS:

• A rash near your eyes or on your face or genitals.
• Signs of infection, such as increased swelling, tenderness, redness, pain, pus formation, or a fever of 100.5 degrees F (38 degrees C) or higher.
• A rash on large areas of your body.
• Symptoms that don't improve or get worse after 2 to 3 days of self-care.