What is Poison Oak Rash?
This is a form of irritation of the skin known as “allergic contact dermatitis”. The rash of poison ivy is triggered by the body’s sensitivity to some irritant that is in poison ivy as well as other comparable toxic plants, for instance poison sumac and poison oak. Every one of these plant lifes has a resin that is oily and is known as urushiol which irritates the skin causing the rash.
Even though the itch from the rash from poison ivy is very bothersome, the really great news is that this rash or one caused by poison sumac or poison oak really is not that serious. The treatment consists of methods of care to relieve the itching pending the reaction healing.
Poison Oak Rash Symptoms
Symptoms and signs of the rash of poison ivy consist of
- Itching
- Redness
- Blisters
- Swelling
Frequently, the rash resembles a straight line due to the way the plant brushes against the skin. However if the individual comes into contact with pet fur or a piece of clothing that has urushiol on it, the rash can be spread out more.
The allergic reaction normally progresses twelve 12 to forty-eight 48 hours after being exposed and may last up to eight (8) weeks. The relentlessness of this rash is dependent on the quantity of urushiol that is on the skin.
With most serious cases, new regions of rash may erupt after numerous days or even more after the initial exposure. This might seem as if the rash is increasing. This is more likely caused by the rate at which the skin grips the urushiol.
The skin needs to come in contact directly with the oil of the plants to be affected. Fluid from the blisters after scratching does not spread this rash, but bacteria from under the fingernails may cause a bacterial secondary infection.
See your primary care physician when any of the below occur:
- Reaction is widespread or severe
- Rash affects areas of the body that are very sensitive for instance the eyes, genitals or mouth
- Blisters ooze pus
- Fever greater than 100 F develops
- Rash does not get better within a few weeks
Poison Oak Rash Causes
Poison ivy as well as poison sumac and poison oak may all trigger contact dermatitis and this results in the itchy rash.
Poison Ivy
This is a very common weed-resembling plant that can grow as plants, bushes or thick, tree-climbing vines. The leaves normally grow three 3 leaflets to one stem. Some of the leaves have smooth edges, while other ones have a tooth-like jagged appearance. In fall, these leaves usually turn yellow, red or orange. Poison ivy may produce very small, greenish flowers and off-white or green berries.
Poison sumac
This can be a small tree or a bush. It has two 2 rows of leaflets on each stem as well as a leaflet at the tip.
Poison oak
Poison oak can grow as a bush or low plant and the leaves look like oak leaves. Just like poison ivy; poison oak grows three 3 leaflets to a stem. Poison oak might have white-yellow berries.
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The substance that causes the irritation is the same for all three 3 plants – oily resin known as urushiol. When the skin touches the leaves of this plant, it might absorb some of the urushiol created by the plant. Even a very small amount of this substance can trigger a reaction. Urushiol is sticky and does not dry, so it attaches easily to the skin, tools, clothing, pet’s fur or equipment.
The continuous scratching of the rash triggered by poison ivy and having fingernails that are dirty might create a secondary infection with bacteria. This could start pus to ooze from the blisters. See the primary care physician when this happens. Management of a secondary infection is antibiotics.
Poison Oak Rash Contagious
An individual may get a poison ivy reaction from:
Touch Directly – when an individual touches the stem, leaves, berries or roots of these plants, vines or shrubs, there will be a reaction.
Urushiol remaining on the skin – poison ivy rash can develop after unknowingly rubbing this urushiol on other areas of the skin. For instance, an individual walks thru some poison ivy then later touches shoes, urushiol on the hands get on the shoes which can then be transferred to the face by rubbing or touching.
Urushiol on objects – if an individual touches urushiol left on any item, such as firewood or clothing, a reaction may develop. Although animals normally are not affected by urushiol, it does get on the pet’s fur and then when the individual touches the pet, the rash will be triggered. Urushiol may remain allergenic for years, especially when kept in a dry environment. For instance, if a contaminated jacket is kept without washing it and is worn a year later, the oil on that jacket can still trigger a reaction.
Smoke inhaled from burning poison ivy, sumac or oak – the smoke from burned poison ivy, sumac or oak has the oil in it and can injure or irritate the nasal passages or eyes.
The rash of poison ivy is not contagious. Fluid from blisters does not contain urushiol and will not spread this rash. Additionally, an individual cannot get poison ivy from another person unless there is contact involving urushiol that is still on that person or on the clothing.
Poison Oak Rash Treatment
Treatment for poison ivy is normally limited to methods of self-care, and the rash usually goes away by itself within two (2) to four (4) weeks. During this time, an individual can use home remedies for poison ivy, such as cool compresses, baths in oatmeal, and OTC (over-the-counter) anti-itch medicine to get rid of the symptoms and signs.
When this rash is widespread or results in a large quantity of blisters, the physician might prescribe an oral corticosteroid, for instance prednisone, for treatment. When a secondary bacterial infection develops at the site of the rash, the physician will usually prescribe an oral antibiotic.
Poison Oak Rash Pictures
