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Most Americans realize that a stroll through the woods could result in a dreaded case of poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac, but a lot of us don’t really know what a poison ivy infection actually is. What does a poison ivy diagnosis mean? What treatment options are available in the form of over-the-counter medication, prescription drugs, and home remedies? The following guide is a comprehensive resource to answer your poison ivy questions and help get you on the road to recovery.
What is poison ivy?
Poison ivy is a woody-stemmed plant that can grow as either a low shrub or a winding or trailing vine that is prevalent across the continental United States, especially in Eastern states and non-desert areas. Only Hawaii and Alaska are poison ivy-free. Poison ivy plants can be found both in wooded and grassy areas and can be identified by their three mostly smooth, almond-shaped leaves that grow from each stem.
Poison ivy, and the closely related poisonous plants poison sumac and poison oak, contains a clear, odorless oil in their leaves, stems, and roots called urushiol that can cause contact dermatitis—or an itchy rash—when the plant oils come into contact with the skin.
Approximately 80-90% of people will have an allergic reaction to urushiol contact, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. However, people generally become more reactive and sensitive with multiple exposures to the poison ivy plant and urushiol, so some people may not even realize they are allergic. Contact dermatitis might not present until the second or third poison ivy exposure.
How is a poison ivy rash diagnosed?
Poison ivy exposure is typically self-diagnosed by the appearance of a red, itchy rash in patches on the skin. This skin rash can sometimes become inflamed or oozing, especially if prolonged scratching breaks the skin. If the rash does become deep red, hot, or include scabs, this could indicate a secondary infection. Consult either a dermatologist—a doctor specializing in dermatology or the skin—or your family physician as further medical advice may be needed.
Additionally, if the poison ivy rash is accompanied by fever or presents on the genitals or face, seek medical advice for a diagnosis. Urushiol can also become airborne, so seek immediate medical attention if you believe you may have inhaled the oil and are having difficulty breathing.
If you do decide to get further medical advice, your doctor is likely to want to gather some information from you. He or she will want to know how, where, and when you may have come into contact with poison ivy, poison sumac, or poison oak. Your doctor will also be interested in whether you have had a fever or difficulty breathing, and whether you have already administered any kind of poison ivy treatment at home. Poison ivy is generally diagnosed by the rash, but if you have any of these other symptoms of poison ivy, your doctor might want to do blood tests to rule out complications or other illnesses.
Poison ivy treatment options
In most cases, the poison ivy rash has to run its course, between 1-3 weeks. Meanwhile, you can treat the symptoms of poison ivy with either home remedies such as oatmeal baths and aloe vera, over-the-counter medications like oral antihistamines, or, in more persistent cases, with prescription medications such as cortisol creams from the doctor.
Since reactions to poison ivy, poison sumac, and poison oak are all caused by contact with the same irritant in varying degrees, urushiol, the treatments for the three are identical. In the future, the best way to prevent further reactions is to wear long sleeves and long pants in areas where poison ivy may be present, to immediately wash any clothing that may have come into contact with poison ivy, utilize an ivy block cream that can help prevent urushiol from adhering to the skin, and to wash contaminated skin with a degreasing soap—such as a liquid dish soap—as soon as possible.
Poison ivy medications
Poison ivy medicine falls into two classifications: over-the-counter and prescription. Over-the-counter poison ivy medications include topical creams, oral antihistamines, topical antihistamines, and pain medication. For a more severe case of poison ivy rash, your doctor or dermatologist might prescribe an oral corticosteroid such as Prednisone or a maximum strength steroid cream such as Temovate.
Over-the-counter topical creams and astringents
There are many topical creams and lotions available over the counter at your pharmacy that can help alleviate itchy skin and allergic symptoms from poison ivy. Calamine lotion is a topical lotion made of zinc oxide and ferric oxide that is useful for controlling itch and inflammation.
In addition to calamine lotion, zinc oxide cream can also be used directly on poison ivy rash.
Hydrocortisone cream can also be effective in eliminating itch and inflammation. Many varieties, such as Cortaid, can be purchased over the counter.
A topical astringent, such as aluminum acetate, applied directly to the rash can also be helpful for lessening the itch and controlling redness and swelling.
Oral antihistamines
Oral antihistamines can be helpful in relieving itch and inflammation from an allergic reaction. If your poison ivy symptoms are interfering with your sleep, some antihistamines can also be beneficial in helping with drowsiness. A common example is Benadryl or diphenhydramine. Consult your doctor, pediatrician, or pharmacist for usage and dosage.
Nasal antihistamine
An antihistamine nasal spray such as fluticasone propionate is an option for those who experience inflammation in their nasal passages from inhaling poison ivy oils. This could happen if someone is burning brush that contains poison ivy nearby. Nasal sprays can help treat allergy symptoms and give some itch relief.
Topical antihistamines
Topical antihistamines are antihistamine creams that can help alleviate allergy symptoms such as itchy skin or inflammation. Brands such as Benadryl Itch Relief contain antihistamines that can help limit your body’s allergic reaction to poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac.
Over-the-counter pain medications
With severe cases of poison ivy, the itching may compound into achiness, pain, and swelling in the skin. An OTC anti-inflammatory pain reliever like ibuprofen or Aleve (naproxen) can help control pain symptoms and make it easier to ignore the itch.
Prescription steroid creams
A doctor may prescribe a prescription steroid cream to help control symptoms and lessen swelling in severe poison ivy cases or if the rash covers an extended area of the skin. Diprolene cream, Temovate cream, and Kenalog cream are sometimes prescribed.
Oral corticosteroid
For particularly stubborn or severe cases of poison ivy, your doctor may recommend taking an oral corticosteroid such as prednisone that can help control symptoms and offer fast relief and recovery for allergy symptoms.
What is the best medication for poison ivy?
The best poison ivy medication for you depends on the severity of your case, medical history, and any medications you may already be taking that may cause negative interactions. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for medication recommendations.
| Best medications for poison ivy | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drug Name | Drug Class | Drug Administration | Standard Dosage | Most Common Side Effects |
| Prednisone | Corticosteroid | Oral | 20 mg tablet taken daily as directed by a doctor | Sleep problems, acne, nausea, slow-healing wounds |
| Temovate (clobetasol propionate) | Corticosteroid | Topical | Topical cream applied directly to the rash | Burning, stinging, itching, redness |
| Diprolene (betamethasone dipropionate aug) | Corticosteroid | Topical | Cream, ointment, or gel lightly spread over rash | Burning, itching, irritation, dryness |
| Kenalog (triamcinolone acetonide) | Corticosteroid | Topical | Cream, ointment, or spray applied as a thin layer over rash or blisters | Burning, itching, irritation, dryness |
| Hydrocortisone cream | Corticosteroid | Topical | Applied as a thin layer to the affected area as directed | Skin itching, burning, dryness |
| Fluticasone propionate | Corticosteroid | Nasal | Inhaled through the nostril as directed | Eye pain, face pain, nosebleed |
A doctor will determine the best dosage of medication for you according to your medical condition, age, weight, etc. Other side effects may occur since this is not a complete list.
What are common side effects of poison ivy medicine?
All medications have the potential for side effects, and poison ivy medications may as well. Topical poison ivy medications can cause skin reactions such as itchiness or red, burning skin as well as dryness. Topical poison ivy medications can very rarely result in low blood pressure, arrhythmic or slow heartbeat, difficulty breathing, headache, drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, or nervousness among other reactions. Some side effects may present upon the beginning of treatment but then subside. As with all side effects, you should contact your dermatologist, doctor, or pharmacist should they continue or worsen.
Oral poison ivy medications can cause stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, increased acne, trouble sleeping, or profuse sweating. Very rarely oral steroids may cause cramping or pain, irregular heart rhythm, internal bleeding, and mood change among other effects. If any of these occur, contact your medical professional immediately. This list is not exhaustive, so talk to a healthcare professional about possible side effects for your specific prescription.
What is the best home remedy for poison ivy?
Depending on the severity of your allergic reaction to poison ivy, you might find some relief from symptoms by relying on natural solutions for your contact dermatitis. Certain lifestyle changes, such as frequent bathing or cold compresses, can also be effective in helping to limit the severity of the outbreak and to help control discomfort and itchy skin.
Popular poison ivy home remedies that help contain the spread of poison ivy while providing pain relief from symptoms include:
- Rubbing alcohol. It is believed that rubbing alcohol can be very effective at helping remove urushiol, the oil compound in poison ivy that causes allergic reactions, from the skin. If you believe you’ve come into contact with poison ivy, immediately wipe the skin and contaminated surfaces with rubbing alcohol. You should also launder all possibly contaminated clothing or bedding.
- Oatmeal bath. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends running a mildly warm—not too hot since this can irritate the skin further—bath and adding oatmeal or an oatmeal-derived bath additive known as colloidal oatmeal to help alleviate itchy skin symptoms. Research has shown oatmeal to be both an antioxidant as well as an anti-inflammatory that can help calm the skin and lessen itchiness and dryness. Add about a cup of oatmeal to warm bathwater.
- Wet compresses. Soak a washcloth in cool water, wring out extra moisture, and apply to the poison ivy rash every few hours to help control inflammation and alleviate the itch.
- Baking soda. Applying baking soda to a poison ivy rash can provide itch relief by calming skin as it acts as an astringent that pulls toxins to the surface. In a small bowl, mix baking soda with enough cool water to form a thick paste and apply directly to the skin.
- Epsom salts. Like an oatmeal bath, a soak in a lukewarm bath with Epsom salts added can help control symptoms and provide relief. Add about two cups of bath salts to a full bath.
- Kitchen remedies. People have found relief from symptoms from common kitchen ingredients. Some ideas of products that contain antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties are: adding coffee grounds to a baking soda paste, rubbing watermelon rind over a rash and allowing it to dry on the skin, rubbing the inside of a banana peel along blisters and the rash, making a paste from turmeric root and lime juice and applying it directly to the rash, and finally you can try grinding up a raw potato in a food processor and spreading the paste over your skin.
- Avoid scratching. Scratching the rash can feel unavoidable but try to avoid doing it. You can inadvertently rip or tear the skin and cause secondary infections. Additionally, any residual urushiol left on the skin or beneath the fingernails can cause further outbreaks of poison ivy rash.
- Showers and baths. Finally, frequent showers and baths can ensure that you’ve eliminated the urushiol from your skin and also help control itchiness. Be sure to keep baths and showers lukewarm to prevent irritating the rash and completely dry off afterward with a soft towel.
Frequently asked questions about poison ivy
How do you cure poison ivy fast?
Poison ivy generally needs to run its course. This can last a few weeks, unfortunately, and there’s no real quick fix for it. However, in severe cases of poison ivy, a prescription for a topical cream in the form of a steroid or corticosteroid from your doctor can help speed up the process.
How long does poison ivy last?
Poison ivy can last anywhere from one to three weeks or longer depending on the amount of exposure and the severity of the allergic reaction. Outsmarting poison ivy isn’t easy, but the less contact made with infected skin—by rubbing or scratching—the easier it is for the skin to begin healing and the faster you should see your rash clear up.
How long does it take for poison ivy to stop spreading?
For those people who are allergic, contact dermatitis caused by poison ivy exposure isn’t contagious, so you can’t catch poison ivy from sores or rashes. You can, however, spread poison ivy if you spread the plant oil that causes the allergic reaction. Washing the infected areas with degreasing soap and laundering all clothing that’s made contact either directly with the poison ivy plant or its oils should prevent further spreading. You’ll also want to identify and remove the poison ivy or sumac plants if possible.
How long does poison oak last?
Most cases of poison oak will last between five days to two weeks, with symptoms gradually improving with time. Severe cases of poison oak can persist for upwards of a month.
How long is poison oak contagious from person-to-person?
Poison oak is not contagious from person-to-person as there is no urushiol oil present in the resulting rash or blisters. However, the oils that cause the poison oak rash can spread from person-to-person so it’s important to immediately wash all infected areas with cool water and strong dish soap to remove any residual oils from the skin. You’ll also want to launder any clothing that came into contact with the plant as well.
Does poison ivy heal on its own?
Yes, poison ivy will heal on its own in one to three weeks. However, since the itchiness and accompanying rash can be quite uncomfortable, you can help make it more tolerable by utilizing a combination of poison ivy treatment medication.
What does a doctor prescribe for poison ivy?
A reaction to poison ivy can resolve on its own, however, a doctor may decide to prescribe medication such as an oral corticosteroid or topical steroid cream to help the skin heal faster or to help control symptoms such as itchiness or pain.
Should you pop poison ivy blisters?
While you may think that popping a poison ivy blister will resolve it quickly, the opposite is actually true. Popping blisters or pustules can actually leave your skin prone to infections, so it’s best to rely on medicines and remedies to mitigate itchiness and pain and allow your skin to heal on its own. In short, resist the urge and do not pop poison ivy blisters.