Poison Ivy, Oak, Sumac (HB)

Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac are a plant that contains an oily substance called urushiol. When the oil gets on the skin, a localized allergic reaction happens. These oils can be transferred to the skin from other objects that have been exposed. You can pick up a shovel that has been in the tool room since last year, and that oil will still be active. Most people will have some response to exposure, but it can vary from very mild to serious, especially if inhaled.

Signs and Symptoms

Within 12 to 24 hours after the exposure, the skin that has been exposed will develop a red rash and swelling with small bumps that can be very itchy. The severity of the response depends on the amount of urushiol and the length of time it’s on the skin.

The patient may have small fluid-filled blisters that can weep or leak fluid. The fluid is water that has leaked from the body as part of the immune response and is not contagious.

Inhalation of burning urushiol can cause the same response on the inside of the lungs leading to difficulty breathing and other respiratory problems.

Prevention

Preventing exposure to poisonous plants means reducing contact to your skin. Wear long sleeves and pants, gloves, etc.

Learn to identify these plants and avoid them if possible.

Treatment

The best treatment is to avoid any exposure at all. However, avoidance is not always possible.

If you know you have been exposed, you can remove the oil from the skin by using soap and water, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, or just plain water and sand or dirt. We are trying to break the surface tension of the oil to prevent its absorption into the skin.

Once the reaction has started, calamine lotion, hydrocortisone cream, or wet compresses will help with the itching.

Do not apply any lotion or cream to broken skin.

References

Poisonous Plants – Types of Exposure | NIOSH | CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/plants/exposure.html