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Poison Ivy (Oak, Sumac)
Poison ivy, oak, and
sumac are the most common plants that cause a skin rash. A sap that
comes from these plants causes the rash. The sap is not really a poison,
but can cause an allergic reaction in some people.
Signs, Symptoms & Causes
The skin rash comes a day or two after contact with
the plant. Symptoms that follow can range from mild to severe.
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Itching |
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Redness |
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Burning feeling |
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Swelling |
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Blisters |
Causes
You can
get poison ivy, oak, or sumac when you touch one of these plants. You can
also get it when you touch clothes, shoes, items, or pets that have the sap
on them. Contact with the smoke of these burning plants can also cause
poison ivy, oak, or sumac.
Treatment
Self-care treats most cases of poison ivy, oak, and
sumac. For severe cases, your doctor may prescribe medicine(s).Questions to Ask
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After contact with poison ivy, oak, or
sumac, do you have any of these problems?
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The skin is a very bright red color.
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Severe itching, swelling, or blisters.
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A rash on large areas of the body or the face.
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A rash that has spread to the mouth, eyes, or genitals.
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Pus. |
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Self-Care/Prevention
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Know
what these plants look like and avoid them. (See
illustrations on this page.)
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Poison ivy and poison oak both have 3 leaflets per stem.
This is why you may have heard the saying, "Leaflets three,
let them be."
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Poison sumac has 7 to 11 leaflets.
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To Prevent
Getting a Rash
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Know what these plants look like and avoid
them. (See illustrations on this page.)
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Poison ivy and poison oak both have 3
leaflets per stem. This is why you may have heard the saying,
“Leaflets three, let them be.”
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Poison sumac has 7 to 11 leaflets.
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Use an over-the-counter lotion (IvyBlock),
which blocks skin contact with the sap. Use it as directed.
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To help prevent an allergic reaction, do
the things listed below. Do them within 6 hours of contact with
one of the plants.
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Remove all clothes and shoes that have
touched the plant.
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Wash your skin with soap and water.
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Apply rubbing alcohol or alcohol wipes to
the parts of the skin that are affected.
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Use an over-the-counter product (e.g.,
Tecnu) that removes poison ivy sap.
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Rinse the affected area with water.
To Treat
Poison Ivy, Oak, or Sumac
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Take a cold shower, put the rash area in
cold water, or pour cold water over it. Use soap when you
shower.
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To relieve itching, take an
over-the-counter antihistamine, such as Benadryl. Follow the
label’s directions.
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For weeping blisters, mix 2 teaspoons of
baking soda in 4 cups of water. Dip squares of gauze in this
mixture. Cover the blisters with wet gauze for 10 minutes, 4
times a day. Do not apply this to the eyes.
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Wash all clothes and shoes with hot water
and a strong soap. Bathe pets that have come in contact with the
plant. The sap can stay on pets for many days. Clean items used
to wash clothing and pets. Wear rubber gloves when you do all
these things.
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Keep your hands away from your eyes,
mouth, and face.
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Do not scratch or rub the rash.
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Apply any of these to the skin rash:
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Calamine (not Caladryl) lotion
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Over-the-counter topical steroid cream,
such as Cortaid
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A paste of 3 teaspoons of baking soda and
1 teaspoon of water
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Take baths with lukewarm water. Add an
over-the-counter product called Aveeno colloidal oatmeal.
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6th edition. American Institute for Preventive Medicine
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March 15, 2007 |
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