Signs and symptoms of a rash from poison ivy or poison oak include:¹

• Redness.

• Itching.

• Swelling.

• Blisters.

There is an oily resin in the leaves, stems, and roots of poison ivy and poison oak called urushiol. When this resin gets on the skin it can cause an allergic reaction that causes poison ivy and poison oak rashes.²

Poison ivy and poison oak rashes can come with peaks and valleys from the time of contact until two weeks after. For some people with no previous exposure, it can take up to 21 days for a rash to develop after exposure.

Generally speaking, the stages of the reaction include:³

1. Itching.

2. Rash.

3. Fluid-filled blisters.

4. Crusting and itching.

Rashes from poison ivy and poison oak are both caused by the same urushiol oil, so there are no distinguishable differences between the two.

While the rashes are indistinguishable from one another, the plants themselves have visible differences. Both poison ivy and poison oak can be a small shrub or a vine and have leaves in clusters of three. Poison ivy’s leaves are glossy with smooth or slightly notched edges. Poison oak’s leaves are fuzzy with lobed or deeply toothed edges and rounded tips.

Poison ivy or poison oak rashes usually develop 12 to 48 hours after contact with the plants.⁴ If it is your first exposure, a rash can develop as long as 21 days after contact.⁵

Rashes will only develop where oil has touched the skin, so the rash itself cannot spread. However, the oil can be spread by hands, clothing, surfaces or even pets and can cause a skin rash. Sometimes, the rash will develop at different rates on the body from the same exposure, so it seems like the rash is spreading.⁶

Poison ivy or poison oak rashes can last two to three weeks.⁷

Yes, poison ivy and poison oak rashes usually resolve within a few weeks on their own.⁸

No, poison ivy and poison oak rashes are not contagious. You can spread the oil to other people or your pets so it’s important to wash anything that came into contact with the plants thoroughly.⁹

Approximately 90% of people who come into contact with poison ivy or poison oak will develop a rash. However, there are a small minority that will not develop a rash.¹⁰

Take these steps to help prevent getting a poison ivy or poison oak rash:¹¹

• Learn to identify poison ivy and poison oak.

• Poison ivy is a vine or small shrub trailing along the ground or climbing on low plants, trees and poles. Glossy leaves are in clusters of three with smooth or toothed edges. Leaves are reddish in spring, green in summer, and yellow, orange or red in fall. May have greenish-white flowers and whitish-yellow berries.

• Poison oak is a low shrub that grows in tall clumps or long vines. It has fuzzy green leaves in clusters of three that are lobed or deeply toothed with rounded tips. May have yellow-white berries.

• Wash gloves, garden tools and lawn tools regularly.

• Wear gloves, long sleeves and long pants tucked into closed toed shoes if you are going into an area where you may encounter poison ivy or poison oak.

• Wash skin as soon as you suspect contact with poison ivy or poison oak.

1. Mayo Clinic

2. Mayo Clinic

3. Cleveland Clinic

4. Mayo Clinic

5. Cleveland Clinic

6. FDA

7. Mayo Clinic

8. Mayo Clinic

9. FDA

10. Cleveland Clinic

11. FDA

Poison ivy and poison oak rashes will usually disappear within a few weeks without treatment. Treatment will help reduce itching. Over-the-counter treatments include:¹²

• Using wet compresses or soaking in cool water.

• Applying over-the-counter (OTC) topical corticosteroid.

• Applying topical OTC skin protectants, such as zinc acetate, zinc carbonate, zinc oxide and calamine dry the oozing and weeping of blisters.

• Applying protectants such as baking soda or colloidal oatmeal to relieve minor irritation and itching.

• Taking an OTC antihistamine like diphenhydramine (BENADRYL®).

Prescription treatments for poison oak and poison ivy rashes include:

• Taking a prescription oral corticosteroid like prednisone.

• Applying a prescription topical corticosteroid like hydrocortisone 2.5% cream, triamcinolone 0.1% cream or triamcinolone 0.1% ointment.

• Taking an oral prescription antihistamine like hydroxyzine or cetirizine.

Yes, you can treat poison ivy or poison oak rashes at home with over-the-counter remedies, or you can get prescription treatment online through RedBox Rx from the comfort of your own home.

Immediately wash anything that came into contact with the poison ivy or poison oak to remove the oil, including your body, clothing, tools or pets. The rash can only spread through the oil. Avoid scratching the rash to prevent infection.¹³

It usually takes a couple of weeks for poison ivy or poison oak rashes to go away. Treatment can help with uncomfortable symptoms like itching, but you cannot cure the rashes overnight.¹⁴

Topical and oral medications that are prescribed for poison ivy and poison oak rashes include:

• Topical corticosteroids like hydrocortisone 2.5% cream, triamcinolone 0.1% cream or triamcinolone 0.1% ointment.

• Oral corticosteroids like prednisone.

• Antihistamines like cetirizine or hydroxyzine.

Yes! With RedBox Rx, you can connect online with a U.S. licensed medical provider for poison ivy or oak rash treatment. If medication is prescribed, it can be shipped directly to you or you can select your local pharmacy for pickup.

12. FDA

13. Cleveland Clinic

14. Cleveland Clinic

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