Although a poison ivy rash may appear to be contagious and spreading, many people with a lingering rash discover that they are indirectly re-exposing themselves to the plant’s oil and developing additional rashes as a result. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, urushiol (pronounced you-ROO-shee-all) causes contact dermatitis in 85% of people who are exposed to the oil. If the rash continues to spread without additional contact with the plant, look for hidden sources.
A person who is sensitive to poison ivy will typically develop a non-contagious contact dermatitis rash within 12 to 72 hours after exposure. This contact dermatitis appears anywhere the urushiol directly touched the skin and may last approximately 14-20 days. The oil can also be moved from original exposure as is the case when a contaminated hand touches the eye. The rash is characterized by:
- Intense itching
- Redness that may increase with scratching
- Small or large blisters that may contain or ooze a yellow-colored fluid, producing a crusted layer over the area
What Determines the Severity of a Poison Ivy Rash?
The severity of the rash depends on several variables, such as:
- Length of exposure to urushiol – Thoroughly washing the exposed area as soon as possible may prevent or lessen an outbreak.
- Amount of urushiol exposure – More oil typically equals a larger and more severe rash. Severe lung irritation may result from the oil being released in the air, which may happen if the plant is burned.
- Thickness of the skin – The palms of hands and soles of feet tend to be thicker and are less likely to develop a rash, but a person can develop the rash anywhere on the body. The initial rash may appear in stages due to different rates of skin absorption.
- Sensitivity of the person exposed – People who never reacted to poison ivy as a child still have a 50/50 chance of developing a rash as an adult. People who reacted as children may become less sensitive later in life. Sensitivity generally tends to lessen with age.
How Long Can Poison Ivy Oil Remain on Objects?
Urushiol can remain on objects for a long time, sometimes even years or decades. Only tiny amounts of the oil are needed to produce a rash, so contaminated objects can potentially cause numerous rashes days, weeks, or even years after initial exposure.
Contaminated Clothing, Supplies, and Animals May Spread Poison Ivy Rash
Cleaning sources of additional exposure to poison ivy oil may quicken recovery time and prevent additional rashes and itching. Skin products with bentoquatum may provide a barrier in addition to protective clothing during this process.
Thoroughly wash skin, cloth, and animals exposed to urushiol, such as:
- Any skin exposed or potentially exposed to urushiol, including under the fingernails
- Pants and shirts
- Undergarments and socks
- Shoes
- Jackets
- Gloves
- Pets
- Clothing that was worn after exposure but prior to showering
Wipe other items exposed to poison ivy oil with alcohol:
- Gardening supplies
- Tools
- Sporting equipment
- Furniture
- Vehicle parts such as the steering wheel and seat
- Other worn items, such as eyeglasses and belts
Finding and Cleaning Hidden Sources of Poison Ivy Oil May Speed Recovery
A poison ivy rash can quickly become worse if skin is exposed to urushiol through indirect contact. Discovering and decontaminating indirect sources can help prevent additional rashes.
See Pictures of Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, Poison Sumac, and Rashes
Pictures of plants that contain urushiol are below including:
- poison ivy picture
- poison oak picture
- poison sumac picture
Avoiding these plants may help readers to avoid a rash in the future.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be medical advice. Some rashes should be assessed and treated by a trained professional. Direct questions about diagnosis or treatment of contact dermatitis to your healthcare provider.
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This article is for informational purposes and should not be considered medical advice.
Sources:
American Academy of Dermatology web site “Poison Ivy, Oak, & Sumac”
KidSource Online web site "Outsmarting Poison Ivy and Its Cousins"
Katrena Wells - Katrena Wells is a RN in NC with 17 1/2 years of experience in oncology, an educator since 1995, and has taught exercise classes since ...
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