Poison Ivy

Poison Ivy

Poison ivy contains an oil called urushiol.  This oil is what causes an allergic reaction which in turn creates the itchy, blistery rash.  After exposure to urushiol, the initial rash can occur anywhere from hours to over a week later.  Washing the oil off thoroughly will prevent poison ivy from spreading.

It is the urushiol oil that transfers the rash to other parts of the body.  The initial rash is usually where you have the highest concentration of urushiol.  Rashes that occur days later are where there is less exposure to the oil.  Scratching the rash will NOT spread it elsewhere.  However, clothing and pets can harbor the oils from poison ivy for weeks afterward.

(Did You Know?  Burning poison ivy, mowing or weed-eating can cause urushiol particles to become airborne.  If there is the possibility of inhalation, see your physician immediately.)

Washing is the key to prevention or to limit spreading.  First clean the exposed areas with rubbing alcohol.  Then rinse the areas with water thoroughly.  Lastly, wash everywhere with soap and water.  This limits the spread of urushiol to other body parts.  Ivy-Block may help in prevention as well as avoiding skin exposure with clothing.

Lastly, learn to recognize poison ivy to avoid it.  As the saying goes, leaves of three, let it be!