DO I HAVE POISON IVY?

Went out for a scenic hike, came back with a rash

As the weather gets warmer and the days become longer, it is only natural to want to spend our time outdoors. Being out in nature has many health benefits from reducing stress to improving mood. Many Michiganders love a good hike from time to time. But what if you leave for a hike and come home with a red, itchy, rash? You just may have touched poison ivy!

What is poison ivy?

Poison ivy is a plant that is known to grow in all US states except for Alaska and Hawaii. The plant can grow to look almost like a low-lying shrub or it can have more of a vine-like appearance. The most important thing to remember when identifying Poison Ivy is the number of leaflets the plant has. Many of us have heard, “leaves of three, leave them be!” This saying comes from the fact that poison ivy has exactly three leaflets on each leaf, making it an easy plant to identify. It is important to remember that in Michigan, poison ivy is not the only poisonous plant we have. Poison sumac and poison oak also reside in our forests and can cause similar rashes.

How does a poison ivy rash develop?

After contact with the poisonous plant, the rash usually starts out as an area on the skin that is strictly itchy. At this stage, there are no visible bumps on the skin. As time passes (hours to days), the rash transforms into fluid-filled blisters that are raised and red. There can even be swelling at the site. The rash will continue to have severe itching, but it is important not to scratch. Over the next few days/ weeks, the rash will eventually start to “crust” over and become less itchy. The blisters will go down on their own and slowly the rash will disappear. One important thing to note is that it can take up to 21 days after initial exposure to the plant for a rash to finally appear.

The rash was on my leg, but now it is on my arm

Poison ivy is spread through contact with oil that is produced by the plant. When the rash is scratched, the oil is then transferred to the fingertips and spreads to the next place that is touched. This can be spread to other body parts or even to other people. The best way to prevent spreading the rash is to try to remove the plant’s oils from the skin completely. This can be done by using astringents like rubbing alcohol and witch hazel. There are also specific soaps formulated for removing poison ivy oils. If you do not have access to either of these things, using a good dish soap, known for removing oils and grease, can help to strip the poisonous oils from the skin.

What can be done for a poison ivy rash?

Poison ivy rashes usually resolve in about two weeks using the home remedies discussed above. In addition to those remedies, individuals can also use diphenhydramine (Benadryl) to help reduce the itching and calamine lotion to soothe the skin. Although most rashes go away on their own, some individuals will need medical intervention. Here are some signs that you may need to call a healthcare provider:

●       If the rash covers more than a quarter of your body

●       If the rash is getting close to the eyes, nose, mouth or genitalia

●       If signs of infection appear such as having a fever or redness streaking from the rash

Sometimes, a healthcare provider will prescribe a short course of steroids to help calm down the allergic reaction. These can be given as an injection or as a pill to take. Prescription strength anti-itch medications can also be useful when the over-the-counter treatments are not helping.

Let us look at your rash

If you develop a rash this summer, it is important to identify the cause of the rash and to get medical care. Contact MI Partner Health, today.