POISON

When you contact poison ivy, you will develop an itchy, blistering rash, which is caused due to the body's allergic reaction to toxicodendral - a colorless, odorless sap present in the branches and leaves of the poison ivy plant. Poison ivy plants can be found in woods, forests, and even in your own backyard.

Poison ivy, poison sumac, and poison oak - all contain the same ingredient and react in a similar manner. Poison ivy comes in different kinds with different appearances at different times of the year.

Poison Ivy Symptoms
The rash breaks out within 12- 72 hours of contact, appearing at first only on that part of the body, which has had direct contact with the resin. Rashes appear to be red, raised, bumpy, and blistered, accompanied by uncomfortable itching.

Is Poison Ivy Rash Contagious?
The answer to this is a resounding yes. However, it is important to note that it is the invisible resin sap on the skin that is contagious and not the oozing blister fluid that spreads the rash. It may spread to new areas even after 72 hours because people are still ignorantly in contact with the sap through unwashed clothes, pets, gardening, or sports equipment.

The sap can remain active for several months and anything that is in contact can spread the rash. The sap is so powerful that even a slight contact is enough to spread it to others. The rash remains just as intense every time someone is in contact with it. The problem with Poison Ivy rash is that one gets re-exposed to it all the time.

Pets, contact with persons having the rash and self-contact with the oil are dangerous ways of spreading the rash.

Poison Ivy Rash Prevention
1. The first step is to learn to identify the poison ivy plant, avoid those areas where you know the plant to exist, and try to avoid contact with the plant by venturing out in long sleeved clothes.
2. If you have already come into contact with it, the best thing to do is to wash everything with detergent, soap, and alcohol. Washing immediately may not even give you a rash and it drastically reduces the chances of its spreading onto the other areas.
3. Avoid physical contact with persons or pets who have already had contact with poison ivy.

Poison Ivy Cure
The rash usually lasts for 1 to 4 weeks and treatment is directed against reducing the rash and the intense itching.

Several OTC medications are available for itching. Antihistamines and topical lotions, sprays and creams are effective in providing relief. Drying lotions such as calamine are very soothing and can help in speedy healing of the rashes.

For the rashes, you can use hydrocortisone sprays and creams to reduce the inflammation, itching, and swelling. They have to be applied at least thrice a day for effective relief. To speed up healing, zinc acetate, alcohol and calamine lotions may also be used.

A doctor should be consulted if the face and genital areas are involved, or if a large area of the skin has been affected. If there are signs of infection like pain, tenderness, or pus and if the person experiences extreme itching which disturbs the normal daily activities, don't delay to get in touch with your physician.