Friday, May 7, 2010
With spring here, many people have started to get poison ivy. Here is some information on the appearance, cause, course, treatment, contagiousness, and prevention of poison ivy. We've also included recommendations on when to call your doctor.
Signs and Appearance:
• Redness and blisters
• Eruptions on exposed body surfaces (e.g., hands)
• Shapes like streaks or patches
• Extreme itchiness
• Onset 1-2 days after the patient was in a forest of field
CAUSE
Poison Ivy, poison oak and poison sumac cause the same
type of rash, and are found throughout the United States.
More the 50% of people are sensitive to the oil of these
plants.
EXPECTED COURSE
Poison Ivy usually lasts 2 weeks. Treatment reduces the
symptoms but doesn’t cure the disease. The best approach is
prevention. The sores should be dried up and no longer itchy
in 10-14 days. In the meantime, cut your child’s fingernails
short and encourage him not to scratch himself.
HOME TREATMENT
• Cool soaks. Soak the involved area in cold water or
massage it with an ice cube for 20 minutes as often as
necessary. Then let it air dry. This will reduce the
itching.
• Steroid creams. If applied early, a steroid cream
applied to the skin can significantly reduce the itching.
• Antihistamine. A non-prescription product such as
Benadryl taken orally also helps reduce itching.
CONTAGIOUSNESS
The fluid from the sores is not contagious. However,
anything that has the poison ivy plant oil on it can cause the
rash for about a week. This includes the shoes and clothes
the patient last wore into the poison ivy area, as well as any
pets that may have the oil in their fur. Be sure to wash them
off with soap and water. The rash usually begins 1 -2 days
after contact.
PREVENTION
Learn to recognize these plants. Otherwise, avoid all plants
with three large shiny, green leaves. Wear long pants when
walking through areas that may contain poison ivy. If you
think there has been contact, wash the exposed areas of skin
with soap several times. Do this as soon as possible, because
after 1 hour it is of little value in preventing absorption of
the oil.
CALL YOUR PHYSICIAN IMMEDIATELY IF:
• the face, eyelids, or lips become involved
• the itching interferes with sleep
• any large blisters develop
• the rash becomes open and oozing
• signs of other infection, such as pus or soft yellow
scabs are seen
• you have other concerns or questions
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