The intense itch of poison ivy is a unique suffering– some say it is worse than pain. The good news is that you CAN prevent the spread of poison ivy, and there are prescription treatments that really work.
Can you spread poison ivy to other parts of your body? Is posion ivy contageous?
The short answer: Yes, you can spread poison if you spread the oil from the leaf to a different part of your body or a different person. This happens when:
- You’re repeatedly exposed to contaminated objects or plant oil trapped under your fingernails
- You haven’t washed your hands or body after exposure and the oil remains on your skin
Once you remove the oil from your skin and from underneath your nails, you cannot spread poison ivy. The trick is washing correctly. The urushiol oil on the leaves is something like bicycle chain grease– it’s hard to wash off without soap and aggressive scrubbing with a washcloth.
Understanding and taking precautions against urushiol can help you avoid the unpleasant effects of poison ivy.
Urushiol is an oily organic allergen found in plants of the family Anacardiaceae, including poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. It is the substance responsible for the itching, irritation, and rash associated with these plants. Here’s how it works and how you can get poison ivy:
How You Get Poison Ivy
- Direct Contact with the Plant:
- Touching any part of the plant (leaves, stems, roots, or berries) can transfer urushiol to your skin.
- Indirect Contact:
- Urushiol can stick to objects like clothing, gardening tools, pet fur, and other surfaces. Touching these contaminated items can transfer the oil to your skin.
- Airborne Particles:
- Burning poison ivy can release urushiol particles into the air, which can land on the skin or be inhaled, causing respiratory issues.
- Contaminated Soil:
- Urushiol can be present in the soil where poison ivy grows. Contact with such soil can result in exposure.
Prevention
- Avoidance: Learn to recognize poison ivy and avoid contact with it.
- Protective Clothing: Wear long sleeves, pants, and gloves when in areas where poison ivy might be present.
- Washing: If you think you’ve come into contact with poison ivy, scrub the area with soap and water as soon as possible. Wash any contaminated clothing or objects.
Treatment that works
- Over-the-counter: for mild cases, topical hydrocortisone can help reduce the itch and calm the rash. It is best when used three times a day.
- Prescription: Medications such as prednisone are an effective treatment for poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. Sometimes prednisone is used in combination with topical treatments. In severe cases, injectable steroids can be used.
- Telehealth is a great way to get quick and effective treatment for poison ivy.
Kathleen Berchelmann, M.D.
