Allergic rashes related to poison ivy, oak, and sumac are caused by contact with oils contained in these plants. The severity of a reaction to these oils varies from person to person, and can become more severe in the same individual with repeated exposures.

These rashes aren't contagious in the real sense. You can't give someone poison ivy if they touch your rash. However, unless you thoroughly wash the oils off your skin and items that the oils have touched, you can spread the oils around by rubbing or scratching, wearing contaminated socks or clothes, or otherwise touching contaminated items.

Signs and Symptoms

• An itchy, red rash, occasionally with blisters

• In severe cases, cracking and weeping (oozing) of your skin

Self-Care

• Wash clothes and other items, and bathe pets that could have been contaminated by the oils. Use gloves to avoid re-exposing yourself.

• Don't rub or scratch your rash.

• Use lukewarm rather than hot water for baths or showers.

• To soothe your skin and help dry a weeping rash, use baking soda or an OTC product like Aveeno powder in your bath. You can apply calamine lotion if your skin isn't broken and your reaction is mild.

• For itching, use a non-prescription topical hydrocortisone cream and/or oral antihistamine, if necessary.

Over the Counter Medications

• Brand names listed as examples do not imply better quality over other brands. Generic equivalents may also exist.

• Use only as directed on the package, unless your healthcare provider instructs you to do otherwise.

• OTCs may interact with other medications or be potentially harmful if you have certain medical conditions. Talk to your pharmacist about options that are right for you.

• OTC Medications:
  example: Hydrocortisone 1% cream / ointment
  example: Zinc oxide ointment
  example: Aquaphor®
  example: Vitamin A & D ointment
  example: Calamine® Lotion

Red Flags

• A rash near your eyes or on your face or genitals

• Signs of infection, such as increased swelling, tenderness, redness, pain, pus, or a fever of 100.5 degrees F (38 degrees C) or higher

• A rash on large areas of your body

• Symptoms that don't improve or that get worse after two or three days of self-care

Courtesy of University Health Services, The University of Texas at Austin.
Published by the University of Texas at Austin University Health Services.
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.
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