How are reactions to poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac treated?

Watch this video to see an easy home remedy to soothe the pain of poison ivy.

The rash (allergic contact dermatitis) from poison ivy, oak or sumac generally is mild and can be treated at home. Home treatment for the rash usually helps relieve symptoms but does not speed up healing of the rash.

• If you know you had contact with one of these plants, immediately wash areas of the skin that may have touched the plant. Sometimes the rash can be completely avoided by washing the affected areas with plenty of water within 10 or 15 minutes of contact. You could also try using a product (such as Tecnu or Zanfel) that is designed to remove the oil from your skin.
• To relieve itching and help dry blisters, apply wet compresses or soak the area in cool water. Antihistamine pills or calamine lotion may help relieve symptoms.
• If you have a moderate to severe rash, you may need to see your doctor. He or she may prescribe corticosteroid pills. These medicines may help improve or clear up the rash more quickly. Prescription corticosteroid creams, ointments, gels or shots may also be used.

A frequent complication of the rash is infection. If this occurs, your doctor will probably prescribe an antibiotic cream that you spread on the affected skin if the infection is small. Otherwise, you may need antibiotic pills or a shot. To prevent infection, try not to scratch the rash. Cut your fingernails short to minimize the possibility of opening the skin and spreading bacteria.

Regardless of what type of treatment is used after a rash develops, the length of time it lasts will vary from person to person.

Creating tolerance and reducing sensitivity - Some cultures, including certain Native American cultures, have used homeopathic treatment for poison ivy, oak or sumac as a means of preventing the rash. Stories of successful prevention of rash through eating the leaves are common, but research studies have failed to reproduce these results without the people involved in the studies developing mild to serious side effects.

If you have an allergic reaction to poison ivy, you may try various over-the-counter barrier- or lanolin-type creams that are now designed to prevent the oil in the poison ivy/sumac family of plants that cause the horrible itching, rashes and blisters associated with this condition. Some individuals with severe reactions will need prescription medication for proper treatment.

Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac produce a resin (think of it like an oil) containing reactive, unstable molecules. The unstable molecules as a group are known as "urushiol." They react with our skin, forming complexes to which the body first becomes sensitized, then reacts. The reaction can take some time, so usually the rash appears 6 to 24 hours after contact.

Immediately after contact, washing with soap and water may reduce the risk of a reaction. However, once the rash has appeared, the complexes have been formed and cannot be washed off.

Fortunately, because they are still bound to the skin, the fluid from blisters that may form do not have urushiol in them and therefore cannot spread it further. Treatment of the rash is largely to help the symptoms of itching and includes making sure there is no more exposure (wash clothes with detergent and hot water, clean tools or other items with soap and water) and topical steroid creams. Antihistamines may help somewhat with symptoms, as well.