Fact Checked
Poison ivy rash is due to direct contact with the poison ivy plant. Urushiol which is the oil found in the stems, leaves as well as the roots of the plant is an irritant that causes a rash and an allergic reaction. Anything that touches the plant can cause irritation on the skin, itchiness and pain.
Symptoms of a poison ivy rash
- Developing contact dermatitis with direct contact with urushiol.
- When brushing against the edge of the leaves, it will result to thin red lines on the surface of the skin.
The rashes can affect the mouth, eyes or the genitals. - Redness
- Swelling
- Developing blisters and draining pus
- Itching
- Difficulty breathing when inhaling the smoke from burning poison ivy
- The rashes can affect the mouth, eyes or the genitals
- Fever of more than 100 degrees F
Treatment
- Rinse immediately the area using cold water that that was exposed to the poison ivy plant. Generally, avoid touching the affected area. Use the coldest water if possible to close the pores of the skin and makes it easy for the urushiol to be washed away. Avoid using hot water to prevent opening of the pores of the skin and allow more of the urushiol in entering the body and worsen the condition. Another alternative, if near a beach, use wet sand to scrub the affected area and soak it in seawater. Avoid taking a shower to prevent spreading the rash to other areas of the body.
- Dip a cotton ball into rubbing alcohol and pat it over the area to stop the spread of the poison and prevent worsening of the condition.
- Wash the affected area using dish soap to wash away urushiol and prevent the spread of the poison and lessen the development of the rashes.
- Apply a cold compress or an ice pack on the affected area to close the pores and lessen the discomfort due to the blisters.
- Remove any clothing that comes in direct contact with the plant and wash them immediately and they should be separated from other laundry to prevent the spread of the poison.
- In a bathtub filled with warm water, add powdered oatmeal and mix until totally dissolved. Soak the body in the mixture for at least 20 minutes to eliminate the itchiness of the body due to the rashes.
- Take the prescribed antihistamine such to lessen the itching and the spread of the rashes. Apply a corticosteroid cream several times every day to lessen the rashes. Another alternative is applying Calamine lotion to the area.
FACT CHECK
https://www.everydayhealth.com/poison-ivy/
https://www.webmd.com/allergies/ss/slideshow-poison-plants
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/poison-ivy/symptoms-causes/syc-20376485