We offer treatment for the poison ivy rash here at Vujevich Dermatology Associates.
Being in nature is usually a relaxing experience; however, if you come across poison ivy and end up with a poison ivy rash, all that relaxation goes out the window. While you may not necessarily think a dermatologist is needed to treat poison ivy, there are instances where it’s a necessary conditions we treat, especially during the summer months as people are outside more often.
Causes of Poison Ivy
Poison ivy contains an oil called urushiol, which most people are allergic to. Contact with this oil results in a poison ivy rash. However, there are some people who have no reaction to urushiol oil. Our body’s reaction to urushiol can change over time, with some people becoming immune to it.
You may be thinking, is there actually more than one cause of poison ivy? Yes, there are three causes of poison ivy.
- Direct Contact – Direct contact with any part of the plant can result in a poison ivy rash. Yes, that even includes the roots.
- Indirect Contact – You may be able to contract poison ivy by directly contacting an item that has urushiol oil on it. Urushiol oil can spread by sticking to fur, gardening tools, and clothing.
- Airborne Contact – Airborne contact with urushiol oil can occur when the plant burns. This is important to remember when doing yardwork or spending time around a campfire.
Is Poison Ivy Contagious?
No, poison ivy is not contagious. You cannot spread poison ivy from person to person. However, the urushiol oil that poison ivy contains can spread by sticking to items or surfaces such as fur, gardening tools, and clothing, as mentioned above.
Poison Ivy Symptoms
A poison ivy rash can occur within a few hours or within a few weeks depending on your previous exposure. If you have experienced a rash from poison ivy in the past, then you are more likely to develop a rash within a few hours. If this is your first exposure to poison ivy, a rash can take up to three weeks to occur. Whether your rash takes a few hours or a few weeks to develop, it will look similar.
Before a poison ivy rash develops, your skin will be intensely itchy. Your skin can become so itchy that it awakens you while sleeping. Once the itching has started, a rash will appear. The rash is often red, itchy, and blistering. Some people will develop black dots or streaks on their skin. There have been instances where a combination of red and black spots or streaks occurs.
This rash will eventually form blisters. The blisters will eventually break open and leak fluid. Once the blisters rupture, they will crust over. Within three weeks of the crust forming, the rash will heal.
Throughout this process, the rash may look as if it is spreading. This is not the case. You are more likely developing new rashes due to urushiol oil coming into contact with more than one area of your skin. This may also occur if you have touched something that urushiol oil is still on. Once you have washed your skin or clothes of the urushiol oil, you cannot spread the rash to more areas of your body.
How Long Does the Poison Ivy Rash Last?
While a poison ivy rash will heal within three weeks of the rash crusting over, the length of the rash depends on your previous exposure to poison ivy. If you have previously dealt with a rash due to poison ivy, your current rash will typically last one to 14 days. If this is your first poison ivy rash, your rash will last three weeks or longer.
Your rash will heal on its own. However, the extreme itchiness is unpleasant. Seeking treatment from a dermatologist can help alleviate this itchiness while the poison ivy rash heals.
Poison Ivy Rash Treatment
A poison ivy rash can often be treated at home, but if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, seek emergency care immediately.
- Trouble breathing or swallowing
- A rash covering the majority of your body
- A lot of blisters
- Swelling, especially sensitive areas such as the eyelids
- Rash develops near or on your genitals
- Nothing eases the itchiness
If you have a poison ivy rash that is small in size, the following treatments can be applied:
- Wash the affected areas of skin and their surrounding areas with lukewarm, soapy water. If you can your skin immediately after contact with poison ivy, you may be able to reduce the severity of the rash and will help stop the rash from affecting large areas of your body.
- Wash your clothes and any equipment (i.e., hiking equipment, backpack, etc.) as soon as possible. While poison ivy is not contagious, the urushiol oil can remain on these items and spread to other areas of your body.
- Apply a cool compress to the affected areas. The coolness of the compress will help alleviate itchiness and irritation.
- Apply calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream to the affected areas. These over-the-counter products can help alleviate itching and inflammation.
- Avoid taking long, hot baths or showers. Instead, soak in a cool bath of colloidal oatmeal or baking soda. Short cool showers can also help alleviate symptoms of a poison ivy rash.
- Avoid scratching and picking at blisters. Not only will this further irritate the skin, but it can lead to scarring and infection.
- Take antihistamines as needed.
A poison ivy rash can be treated at home, but a dermatologist can help confirm that the rash is due to poison ivy, ease itchiness, and prevent infection. Contact us today to schedule an appointment if you would like to discuss treatment of your poison ivy rash.