Washing following contact with poison ivy, oak, or sumac

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Washing following contact with poison ivy, oak, or sumac

If you have contact with poison ivy, oak, or sumac, immediately wash areas of the skin that may have touched the plant. Sometimes the resulting rash (allergic contact dermatitis ) can be completely avoided by washing the affected areas with plenty of water within 10 or 15 minutes of contact. Use creek or stream water if you are outdoors.

• Water works well to neutralize or deactivate the plant oil (urushiol) and will keep it from spreading to other parts of your body or to other people. Also be careful to clean under the fingernails, where the oil can collect and spread easily.
• Be careful washing with soap because it can spread the oil. Use a lot of plain water before showering with soap and water.

Urushiol can remain active on clothing and other items for many months, especially in dry climates. If these items are not cleaned properly, handling them can spread the urushiol to the skin and possibly cause an allergic rash.

• Wash or soak all clothing, shoes, and other items that had contact with the plant or with a person who touched the plant.
• Clean surfaces such as camping gear, gardening tools, and sporting equipment with rubbing alcohol.
• Wear vinyl or cotton gloves when handling or washing items that have touched poison ivy. Thin rubber (latex) gloves offer no protection because urushiol can penetrate rubber.

Credits

Last updated:	January 12, 2006
Author:	Colleen Cronin
Reviewed By:	Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer