POISON IVY, OAK OR SUMAC
Symptoms | When to call | Homecare Advice
Poison Ivy Rash on Forearm
- The oil contained in the plant leaves irritates the skin.
The redness and blistering from the rash is often arranged in streaks or lines, because the leaf brushes across the body in a line as an individual walks past.
Poison Ivy Rash on Wrist
Poison Oak Rash on Arm
- This photograph shows an individual's arm with a blistering poison oak rash. Note the linear pattern to the lesions.
- The Rhus genus of plants include poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac. When the oil from such plants gets on the skin, it begins to penetrate in minutes. A blistering reaction appears, usually within 12 - 48 hours.
Poison Ivy Plant
- Leaves in threes characterize poison ivy.
- Toxicodendron radicans. This plant is common in the eastern United States
Poison Ivy Plant
- Three leaves
- Poison ivy grows as a small plant, as a bush, or as an vine.
Poison Ivy Plant - Fall
- During the Fall, the leaves of the poison ivy turn red and then eventually yellow.
Main Symptoms
- Localized redness, swelling, and weeping blisters.
- Located on exposed body surfaces (such as the hands) or areas touched by the hands (e.g., the face or genitals). May be carried by pets.
- Extreme itchiness.
- Onset 1 or 2 days after the patient was in a forest or field.
- Rash is shaped like streaks or lines.
Cause
- Caused by oil from poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac plants.
See More Appropriate Topic (instead of this one) If
- It doesn't look like poison ivy, see RASHES, LOCALIZED AND CAUSE UNKNOWN.
Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.
Pediatric SelfCareNavigator. Copyright © 2000-2004 Barton Schmitt, M.D. FAAP
Reviewed 8/2004
Revised 7/2002
See Other Topics: