The American Academy of Dermatology estimates that up to 50 million cases of this contact dermatitis occur each year in the US.

Poison ivy is not contagious. The oil hasto directly touch your skin to getthe rash. However, the oil easily adheres to anything it touches including clothing, blankets, garden implements, shoes, etc, and if these are touched without being washed, you can be re-exposed.

The rash of poison ivy can appear from 4 hours to 4 days after exposure, and peak up to 2 weeks later. Sensitivity to the oil is very variable and probably genetic; about 25% of people are very sensitive. The initial reaction is redness of the skin and itching, which gradually develops to the typical papules, swelling, and blisters.Thefluidintheblisters does not contain any oil or transmit the rash to others.

Poison ivy is a big problem in the Eastern US. Poison sumac is less common. Poison oak is not found in our area; it is a problem in the Soutern and Western US.

Treatment of poison ivy is symptoatic. Mild cases can be treated with topical creams such as calomine lotion or Aveeno cream. More severe cases may require oral antihistamine and oatmeal baths to control the itch. Extensive rashes with a lot of swelling, especially on the face,requirea visit to your doctor and may need oral steroids. Always watchout for signs of infection and call your doctor iF you

are concerned.

If you think you have been exposed to poison ivy, the best thing to do is to wash it off your skin as soon aspossible(don’tforgetunderyourfingernails!)Soap and water must be used. Commercially available products such as technu can help get the oil off more completely and prevent the allergic reaction. Be sure to also wash your clothes and anything else the plant might have contacted. Beware of theurushioloilonyourgardentoolsandgloves,evenfromlastyear!

atlanticPOISON OAK

pacificPOISON OAK

poison ivy

poison sumac

The best approach to poisonivy is to avoid it. This is tricky because it iseverywhere; in beautifully tended gardens as well as in the woods. It’s appearance varies greatly, depending on the season. All parts of the plant contain the irritant urushiol oil, ever the stem and roots. You can even get poison ivy in the winter if youare touching the vines. Even dead plants can transmit the oil for years.

The typical rash of poison ivy is actually a contactdermatitis caused by direct exposure of the skin to Urushiol oil. This oil is contained in a number of plants, but especial-ly in plants of the genus Toxicodendron,whichncludes poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac.

P O I S O N + I V Ypoison ivy in spring

poison ivy in autumn

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n ivy i

n winter