Can poison ivy cause an allergic reaction?

Avoid poison ivy if you have a known allergy or hypersensitivity to it or any of its components, such as urushiol, the primary irritating compound. An estimated 85% of people are sensitive to urushiol, which usually causes a fluid-filled, itchy rash but may cause a rare, severe, systemic allergic reaction (called erythema multiforme) in some people. Rash may result from contact with anything that comes in contact with the plant, such as clothing, animals, and tools.

Individuals with sensitivity to poison ivy may be sensitive to other members of the Anacardiaceae family, such as cashews, japonica, mango, Rhus copallina, Rhus javanica (semialata), Rhus trichocarpa, and Spandia magnifera.

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