Poison Ivy or Poison Oak

• Red/bumpy rash- sometimes red patches or blisters
• Itching
• Rash often has linear appearance

The plant oil urushiol is the causative agent of the rash associated with exposure to Poison Ivy and Poison Oak. Symptoms of poison ivy and Poison Oak in sensitized individuals generally develop within 4 to 96 hours after exposure and peak between 1 and 14 days after exposure. Lesions may present in different locations at different times after exposure, depending on the amount of plant oil present on the skin. This can give the impression that the rash is spreading from one region to another. Fluid from the blisters themselves getting on unaffected skin does not cause spread. Getting the oil from the plant under the nails can prolong exposure. If untreated, the rash will resolve in 1-3 weeks however symptomatic treatment with oatmeal baths, hydrocortisone cream and oral antihistamines can be helpful.