Poison Ivy

Back Menu

Poison ivy, oak?

These plants release an oily resin (urushiol) when bruised.
Pharmacist

Contact with the oil usually trigger an allergic reaction on the skin.



Lady with poison ivy rash on hand

Let's see what to use over-the-counter for poison ivy.

Continue

 

 

 

Posion Ivy

Back Menu

Is this poison ivy?


We will focus on answering the questions listed below.
Pharmacist
  1. Is this poison ivy?

  2. Do you need to go to an urgent care clinic for this?

  3. If not, what can you use over-the-counter to take care of this?

 

Have you or someone in the household been in the woods the past 2 weeks or so?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?

 

 

Has your pet been in the woods or brush lately?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
You should start suspecting poison ivy, but not so fast.
Pharmacist

Note that poison ivy not only can be acquired through direct contact with the plant, but also indirect contact with let's say your dog that went to fetch something in the woods, tools you used to trim the woods and clothing that have urushiol on them.

 

Looking at the affected area, is it red?

And itchy?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?

 

Are you feeling a burning sensation in the affected area?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?

 

Does the area show blisters with fluid?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?

 

Does it show small bumps or swelling?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
Start suspecting poison ivy.
Pharmacist

 

Is the area in a pattern like a straight red streak on the arm or leg?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
You are more than likely looking at poison ivy.
Pharmacist

Straight red streaking on an arm or leg will result from brushing against poison ivy unknowingly.

Note that if you came in contact with something that has the oil in it, the rash may be more spread out.

 


If you think you are looking at poison ivy, let's see if you need to see a doctor.
Pharmacist

Continue

 

 

 

 

Poison ivy

Back Menu

Need a doctor?

Is this poison ivy rash around the eyes?
Pharmacist

 

Seek urgent care or call the doctor.
Pharmacist

Here is why:

  • It could spread to affect the eye which can be dangerous.

Nearest Clinic

 

Does it affect the mouth?
(..like a swollen mouth)
Pharmacist

 

Seek urgent care or call the doctor.
Pharmacist

Here is why:

  • Nothing over the counter will take care of this.

Nearest Clinic

 

Is a very large area of the body affected?
Pharmacist

 

Seek urgent care or call the doctor.
Pharmacist

Here is why:

  • Will need steroidal pills or shot for the inflammation.
  • Can't apply over the counter steroidal creams or lotions to a large area.

Nearest Clinic

 

Is the poison ivy rash painful?
Pharmacist

 

 

Is it warm to touch?
Pharmacist

 

Seek urgent care or call the doctor.
Pharmacist

Here is why:

  • May be looking at an infection.

Nearest Clinic

 

Is the affected area swollen?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?

Seek urgent care.

 

Have you tried something over-the-counter yet and no relief?

Or the rash is getting worse?
Pharmacist

 

Seek urgent care or call the doctor.
Pharmacist

Here is why:

  • Will need a prescription anti inflammatory steroid pills to take care of this.

Nearest Clinic

 

Did the rash disappear and now it is back?
Pharmacist

 

Seek urgent care or call the doctor.
Pharmacist

Here is why:

  • Much worse than you think. You body is losing the battle.

Nearest Clinic

 

Do you have fever with this rash?
Pharmacist

 

Seek urgent care or call the doctor.
Pharmacist

Here is why:

  • Possible infection

Nearest Clinic

 

Do you have a weakened immune system?
Pharmacist

 

Seek urgent care or call your doctor.
Pharmacist

Here is why:

  • Your system need help taking care of this.
  • You don't want to risk an infection.

Nearest Clinic

 


You may do self care if your answer is 'NO' so far.
Pharmacist

Go to an urgent care clinic if there are signs of an infection which include:

  • Affected area getting painful

  • Area getting swollen and tender

  • You develop fever with this rash.
Close

Note that the rash usually appear about 1 to 2 days after you come in contact with the oil. But it can take upto to 2 weeks for it to appear after touching the plant.

Usually, the first time you get the oil on your skin, the rash might take upto a week to show up. But with later contacts, it develops much more quickly.

Let's see what a pharmacist recommend you use to take care of this poison ivy over-the-counter.

FYI Continue

 

 

 

 

Poison ivy

Back Menu

On a scale of 1 to 10, how bad is it?
Pharmacist

Use the slider below to tell us how bad.



Pharmacist

Not too bad.

If you just came in contact with the poison ivy, oak or sumac, wash the affected area with soap and water.

Remember to wash underneath the fingers too.

The oil binds to the skin after about 5 minutes. So wash it off and avoid some reaction.

You must totally remove it within 10 to 15 minutes before it start causing havoc.

If 15 minutes has passed or you have noticed some symptoms, let's see what a pharmacist recommend you use over the counter for this poison ivy rash.

Getting pretty bad?

Let's see what a pharmacist recommend you use over the counter to take care of this poison ivy rash.

Or do you think you should see the nearest urgent care clinic to you from the discussions so far?

Seek urgent care.

You need some kind of steroid pills or even shots to help with the reaction and inflammation. Go to the nearest urgent care facility or call the doctor for an appointment.

For now, let's see what a pharmacist recommend you use over-the-counter for poison ivy rash.