$Unique_ID{BRK02473}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Can Poison Ivy Blister Fluid Spread the Rash to Others?}
$Subject{poison ivy blisters skin allergy allergies immune urushiol sumac oak
rash pruritus epidermis epidermal poisons blister rashes fluid}
$Volume{L-20,U-20}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1992,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Can Poison Ivy Blister Fluid Spread the Rash to Others?


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QUESTION:  When are you going to include some information about the treatment
of poison ivy in your column?  If you need a good case to illustrate your
article, I'll send you a picture of the enormous blisters that are all over my
arms and legs.  I guess what I really want to know is if the fluid in the
blisters can cause the poison ivy reaction in my children.  My mother says it
will.  What do you say?

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ANSWER:  I know that the fluid in the blisters looks pretty bad, but it does
not contain anything that will cause similar blisters on the skin of your
children.  The chemical that causes the reaction in sensitive individuals is
the oil given off by the poison ivy plant.  It is called urushiol, and about
half the people in the United States are sensitive to it.  The best treatment
is prevention, avoiding contact with any of the three plants that cause these
reactions; poison ivy, poison sumac and poison oak.  However, once the rash
and its terrible itch (pruritus) has started, it's a bit too late for that.
The first step in the basic treatment of this contact dermatitis is to be sure
that all the oil has been washed away, using warm soap and water.  That will
prevent any additional spread of the reaction to other parts of the body.  All
clothes that may have traces of the oil on them should be speedily thrown in
the wash.
     Mild cases, only causing a little discomfort, may be treated with
calamine lotion to control the itch.  However, when the rash is extensive, and
the itch more than you can bear, it's time for a visit to the doctor and some
prescription medications.  Both antihistamines and corticosteroids can be used
to obtain some immediate relief, but it make take as long as two weeks, using
smaller and smaller doses of oral, cortisone-like medication each day, before
you will really be out of the woods (hah!).  Sorry; I couldn't resist that.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.