By Jennie Gropper Biggs
As printed in Around Town Publishing, April 2007
My child just touched a poison ivy plant. What should I do?
When spring arrives and the kids begin to venture outdoors, poison ivy (and its cousins, poison oak and sumac) start causing trouble. It is the oil inside these plants, called urushiol, that does all the damage. This oil emerges from any breaks in the stems or leaves of the plant and attaches itself to anything it contacts. This includes skin, clothing, toys, and even the fur of your pet. The plants are very fragile, so even gently brushing up against them can release the damaging oil. When the oil absorbs into the skin, it tends to cause a reaction in those who are sensitive to it. The rash caused by poison ivy tends to be an itchy, red, blistering rash that often appears in linear streaks.
The key to preventing this type of rash is avoiding contact with the plants. If contact is made, speedy removal of the oil is necessary. If the oil is removed from the skin within 10 minutes of exposure, absorption of the oil may be prevented and therefore the irritation may not occur. It is thought that applying some rubbing alcohol to the area that is exposed will help keep the oil from absorbing. Then, a thorough rinse with water is needed. This should be followed by a gentle scrubbing with soap and water. Be sure to clean under finger nails, as well as wash any clothes, sheets, towels, or other items that may have the oil on them. The urushiol can remain on certain items (like toys or jackets) for years and still cause irritation if contacted.
If the oils do penetrate the skin and the rash develops, it is expected that the rash will show up on different areas of the body at a different times. Areas with thin skin, like the face, tend to react more quickly, while thicker-skinned areas like arms and legs absorb the oils more slowly and therefore often have delayed rashes. The skin on hands and feet are often thick enough to prevent oil absorption, so rashes are less likely to show up there.
It is important to know that the rash itself is not contagious. As long as the urushiol has been washed away, you cannot spread the rash by touching it. If left alone, the rash will usually last about 2 weeks. I often suggest applying some 1% hydrocortisone cream to the rash to help with itch and inflammation, or taking oral Benadryl to help with the itch. If the rash is very extensive or involves the face, you should be checked by a doctor to see if oral steroids are needed.
The best way to prevent the rash of poison ivy is to prevent exposure. Check your yard for any plants with the classic “leaves of three”. If you must be in an area with known poison ivy, be sure to wear long pants and long sleeves and wash the clothing well after wearing them.