Poison ivy - oak - sumac rash

Health Library

Find

Español

A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H	I	J	K	L	M	N	O	P	R	S	T	U	W	Y

Overview	Symptoms	Treatment	Prevention

Poison ivy - oak - sumac rash

Symptoms

A red rash and extreme itching.
The rash erupts in streaks or patches where the plant touched the skin.
The rash includes red bumps and may also form large, weeping blisters.
The reaction can vary from mild to severe. Hospitalization is sometimes required.

The rash usually appears within a couple of days after contact with the plant's oils. The worst stage is often from days 4 to 7. The rash may last for 1 to 3 weeks.

References

Auerbach PS. Wilderness Medicine. 4^th Ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby:2001;194-195.

Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, eds. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 5^th Ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby; 2002:1647-1648,2200.

Habif, TP. Clinical Dermatology. 4^th Ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby;2004:25,85-89,402.


Poison oak rash on the arm


Poison ivy on the knee


Poison ivy on the leg


Rash

Review Date: 2/27/2008
Reviewed By: Stephen C. Acosta, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, Portland VA Medical Center, Portland, OR. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission. URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2005 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.