Avoid That Big Summer Threat Poison Ivy

By John Jones, MD

The path to my children's elementary school leads my kids and me through a wooded park. While it looks idyllic, I happened to glance off the path this month and spotted what appeared to be a field of poison ivy.

After many reminders that “leaves of three, let it be,” the kids have kept on the path. However, this experience encouraged me to share with you how to identify, avoid, and deal with a case of poison ivy.

What it looks like Toxicodendron radicans (poison ivy) grows along stream banks, roadways, fields, and forests. The compound leaf consists of three pointed leaflets, usually two to four inches long, and the middle one often has a longer stalk. The edges smooth, toothed, or lobed are glossy and reddish when they emerge in the spring, then become yellow toward the fall.

What you need to know While direct contact with the plant itself is the most common method of exposure, you can also get the rash from indirect contact such as by touching clothing, shoes, or pets that have been in contact with the plant's resin, called urushiol, which is widely distributed throughout the leaves, stems, and roots. For those who are very sensitive, simply being downwind of burning poison ivy can cause a reaction, including inflammation of the lungs.

What to do if you have been exposed The rash usually develops within 24 to 48 hours, but can sometimes take up to a week. As is typical with any rash, it will be a very itchy, red rash that will develop into blisters that may be filled with clear fluid. Exposure to the fluid itself will not cause the rash to spread, or cause another person to have poison ivy, since the resin is not present in the fluid from the blisters. If left untreated, the rash usually resolves itself in seven to 10 days.

How to relieve the symptoms The first line of treatment is placing cold, wet compresses on the rash for 15 to 20 minutes, several times per day.

Baths with Aveeno soothing bath treatment, made with oatmeal, can be very soothing and help minimize the itching. Benadryl tablets can also help with the itching.

Steroids are an option In bad cases of poison ivy, steroids can also be helpful. Initial treatment is topical steroids, however, more serious exposures can require oral steroids such as prednisone.

As always, contact a doctor should you need further advice.