What the plant looks like: P o i s o n I v y

For More Information Visit:

http://www.webmd.com/allergies/tc/poison -ivy-oak-or-sumac-topic-overview http://www.medicinenet.com/poison_ivy/ article.htm

Pictures: http:// www.mikedidonato.com/2009/06/22/ What the rash looks poison-ivy/ http://www.thegeminigeek.com/how-to- Information on what like: get-rid-of-poison-ivy-rash/ it looks like, the http://www.poison-ivy.org/rash/ source/23.htm causes, symptoms, http://www.poisonivyguides.com/poison- treatment, and ivy-pictures.htm prevention.

Health Education Office

Center for Student Development

By: Kaitie D’Amico Room 211 #401-254-3413

S y m p t o m s What Is Poison  Itchy skin where the plant touched your How Is The Rash Ivy? skin. D i a g n o s e d ?  Red streaks or general redness where the plant brushed against the skin. The rash usually is diagnosed during Poison ivy is a plant that can cause a a physical exam. Your doctor will skin rash called Allergic Contact  Small bumps or larger raised areas (hives). examine the rash and ask questions  Blisters filled with fluid that may leak out. to find out when you were exposed Dermatitis when it touches the skin. to the plant and how long it took The red, uncomfortable, and itchy the rash to develop. If you are not rash often shows up in lines or streaks The rash usually appears 8 to 48 hours after sure whether you were exposed to a contact with the urushiol. But it can occur from 5 and is marked by fluid-filled bumps plant, he or she will ask about your hours to 15 days after touching the plant. The outdoor activities, work, and (blisters) or large raised areas (hives). rash usually takes more than a week to show up h ob bies. It is the most common skin problem the first time you get urushiol on your skin. But caused by contact with plants. the rash develops much more quickly (within 1 to How Is It Treated? 2 days) after later contacts. The rash will continue to develop in new areas over several days but only on the parts of your skin that had Most poison ivy, oak, or sumac What Causes Poison rashes can be treated successfully at contact with the urushiol or those parts where home. Initial treatment consists of Ivy? the urushiol was spread by touching. washing the area with water immediately after contact with the The rash is not contagious. You cannot catch or plants. To relieve symptoms, use wet spread a rash after it appears because the compresses and take cool baths. The rash is caused by contact with an urushiol will already be absorbed or washed off Nonprescription antihistamines and oil called urushiol found in poison ivy. the skin. The rash may seem to be spreading, but calamine lotion also may help The oil is present in all parts of the either it is still developing from earlier contact or relieve symptoms. Moderate or plants, including the leaves, stems, you have touched something that still has severe cases of the rash may require urushiol on it. treatment by a doctor, who may flowers, berries, and roots. Urushiol is prescribe corticosteroid pills, creams, an allergen, so the rash is actually an ointments, or injections. allergic reaction to the oil in these plants. Indirect contact with urushiol How Is It Prevented? can also cause the rash. This may happen when you touch clothing, pet The best way to prevent the rash is to learn to identify and avoid the fur, sporting gear, gardening tools, or plants. When you cannot avoid other objects that have come in contact with the plants, heavy contact with one of these plants. Not clothing (long pants, long -s leev e d everyone is allergic to urushiol. shirt, and vinyl gloves) and barrier creams or lotions may help protect you .