Poison Ivy - Oak - Sumac

Is this your child's symptom?

• A very itchy rash with blisters
• Caused by contact with the poison ivy plant

If NOT, try one of these:

• Rash or Redness - Localized

Symptoms of Poison Ivy

• Rash is shaped like streaks or lines.
• Red streaks with weeping blisters.
• Rash found on exposed body surfaces (such as the hands). Also, can be on areas touched by the hands. Areas that can be affected in this way are the face or genitals.
• Very itchy.
• Onset 1 or 2 days after child was in a forest or field.

Cause

• Caused by oil from poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac plants.
• The oil is found in the leaves, stems, berries and roots of the plant.
• Oil may be carried on pet's fur.
• The oil from the plant causes the skin to itch, turn red and blister.

When to Call for Poison Ivy - Oak - Sumac

Care Advice for Mild Poison Ivy

1. What You Should Know About Poison Ivy:
   • Poison ivy is caused by skin contact with the oil from the plant.
   • The oil can also come from the fur of outdoor pets.
   • Most poison ivy rashes can be treated at home.
   • Here is some care advice that should help.
2. Steroid Cream for Itching:
   • To help with the itch, put 1% hydrocortisone cream (such as Cortaid) on the rash.
   • No prescription is needed.
   • Use 3 times per day.
3. Cold Soaks for Itching:
   • Soak the involved area in cool water for 20 minutes.
   • You can also rub the rash with an ice cube.
   • Do as often as needed to help the itching and oozing.
4. Allergy Medicine for Itching:
   • If itching becomes severe, give an allergy medicine, such as Benadryl.
   • No prescription is needed. Age limit: 1 and older.
   • If needed longer than a few days, switch to a long-acting antihistamine, such as Zyrtec. Age limit: 2 and older.
5. Try Not to Scratch:
   • Cut the fingernails short.
   • Help your child not to scratch.
   • Reason: Prevent a skin infection from bacteria.
6. More Poison Ivy - Prevention:
   • New blisters may occur several days after the first ones. This means your child probably has ongoing contact with poison ivy oil.
   • To prevent it from coming back, bathe all dogs or other pets.
   • Wash all clothes and shoes that your child wore on the day of contact.
7. Return to School:
   • Poison ivy or oak cannot be spread to others.
   • The fluid from the blisters or rash can't cause poison ivy.
   • No need to miss any school or child care.
8. What to Expect:
   • Most often, the rash lasts 2 weeks.
   • Treatment can reduce the severity of symptoms.
   • Treatment does not change how long they last.
9. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Poison ivy lasts for more than 3 weeks
   • It looks infected
   • You think your child needs to be seen
   • Your child becomes worse

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.

Copyright 2000-2023. Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines LLC.

Poison Ivy Rash on Forearm

The oil from the plant leaves irritates the skin.

The redness and blistering from the rash often appears in streaks or lines, because the leaf brushes across the body in a line as a person walks past.

Poison Ivy Rash on Wrist

The oil from 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 a person walks past.

Poison Ivy Plant (Example 1)

The leaves appear in groups of three.

Poison ivy grows as a small plant, as a bush, or as a vine.

Poison Oak Plant

Poison oak can grow on a tree or a vine. The leaves look wavy and grow in groups of threes.

Poison Sumac Plant

Poison sumac can have groups of 6-12 leaves. Each stem has leaves growing across (parallel) from each other. Young plants are red or red-brown. As a poison sumac plant grows older, the leaves will become brown or grey.