Poison Ivy & Other Poisonous Plants

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Treatment

Treatment for poison ivy and other types of allergic contact dermatitis may involve taking cool baths or showers and applying over-the-counter topical medication (e.g., calamine lotion). Hands should be washed frequently and fingernails should be kept trimmed to reduce the risk for infections caused by scratching.

In severe cases, an oral antihistamine (e.g., Benadryl®) may be used to reduce itching and redness. Poison ivy that occurs on the face or genitals and severe reactions that cover a large area of the body may require medical treatment (e.g., prescription corticosteroids).

Prevention

The best way to prevent poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac is to learn how to identify these plants and avoid contact with them. Wear protective clothing (e.g., long-sleeved shirts, pants, gloves) when outside, especially in wooded areas, and wash exposed areas of skin with soap and water within 30 minutes of any possible contact.

The toxic substance from these plants (urushiol) can remain on clothes, pets, tools, and sporting equipment (e.g., ball, Frisbee) and cause a reaction, so thoroughly wash anything that may have come in contact with a poisonous plant. Rubbing alcohol can be used to inactivate urushiol on the skin and help prevent an allergic reaction.

Bentoquatam (Ivy Block®) is a lotion that can be applied to the skin at least 15 minutes before possible exposure to poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac. This lotion acts as a barrier to prevent urushiol from being absorbed by the skin. For maximum prevention, it should be applied every 4 hours.

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