Health Topics

The resin in the plants contains an oily substance called urushiol. Urushiol is easily transferred from the plants to other objects, including toys, clothing and animals. This chemical can remain active for a year or longer. It is important to know that the oils can also be transferred from clothing, pets and can be present in the smoke from a burning plant. Poison ivy / oak cannot be spread by contact with the rash.

The reaction is usually contact dermatitis, which may occur several hours, days, or even weeks after exposure. The dermatitis is characterized by a rash followed by bumps and blisters that itch. Sometimes, swelling occurs in the area of contact. Eventually, the blisters break, ooze and then crust over.

Making sure your child avoids the poisonous plants is the best treatment. It is important to teach your children what the plants look like and not to touch them. If your pet has been in contact with the plants it should be bathed.

If contact with the plants has already occurred, you should remove the oils from the skin as soon as possible. Cleansing with an ordinary soap within six hours after the initial exposure has proven to be effective. Repeat the washing with the soap three times. There are also alcohol-based wipes that help remove the oils. Wash all clothes and shoes also, because the oils can remain on these.

If the blisters and rash are on the face, near the genitals, or all over the body, your child's physician should be notified. After a medical history and physical examination, your child's physician may prescribe a steroid cream, or systemic steroids, or steroid injections to help with the swelling and itching.

Bathing in an oatmeal bath product may reduce itching. The doctor may also prescribe medication by mouth for itching.

Poison ivy / poison oak cannot be spread from person to person by touching the blisters, or from the fluid inside the blisters. It can be spread, however, if the oils remain on the skin, clothes, or shoes. This is why washing your child's hands, clothes, and shoes as soon as possible is very important.