What is poison ivy rash?

Poison ivy rash is an itchy, allergic reaction to poison ivy. Poison ivy is a very common plant in the United States. It's similar to two other plants called poison oak and poison sumac. These plants cause allergic dermatitis. This means the body's immune system releases certain chemicals that cause a skin reaction. Most children are allergic to poison ivy.

What causes poison ivy rash in a child?

Poison ivy has an oil called urushiol. This oil causes the allergic skin reaction. The oil is easily wiped from the plants to other objects. These include clothes, toys, and pets. Smoke from a burning plant can also contain the oil.

Which children are at risk for poison-plant rashes?

Children who live near the plants are at risk for the skin reaction. There are different types of these plants around the United States. They are:

• Poison ivy. This is a ground or climbing vine with leaves grouped in threes. It grows in most of the U.S. Another type grows as a shrub in the Western U.S.

• Poison oak. This is a ground or climbing vine or shrub with leaves grouped in threes. One type grows on the West coast, and another type grows mostly in the Southeast.

• Poison sumac. This is a shrub or small tree with groups of several leaves arranged in pairs. It grows in very wet areas.

What are the symptoms of poison ivy rash in a child?

Your child may have symptoms within hours or days after coming in contact with poison ivy. The symptoms include:

• Small bumps where the plant oil touched the skin. These bumps quickly turn into blisters.

• Severe itching.

• Redness and swelling.

• Blisters that break, ooze fluid, and crust over. The fluid in the blisters doesn’t spread the rash.

The symptoms of poison ivy rash can be like other health conditions. Make sure your child sees a doctor for a diagnosis if you are unsure.

How is poison ivy rash diagnosed in a child?

The doctor will ask about your child’s symptoms and health history. The doctor will give your child a physical exam. More testing is usually not needed.

How is poison ivy rash treated in a child?

Your child's rash may be treated with over-the-counter medicines. You can also help ease your child's symptoms by:

• Bathing your child in water with colloidal oatmeal.

• Applying cool, wet cloths (compresses).

• Using calamine lotion or corticosteroid cream on the skin.

• Giving your child diphenhydramine (Benadryl) liquid by mouth at bedtime, if itching is making it hard for your child to sleep. Always check with your child's doctor before giving any medicine to your child.

Contact the doctor if your child:

• Inhaled smoke from a burning poison ivy plant.

• Has the rash on their face or genitals.

• Has a severe rash.

• Has a rash on a large part of their body.

In these cases, your child's doctor may prescribe a prescription medicine, such as:

• Corticosteroid cream.

• Corticosteroid pills or liquid.

• Corticosteroid shot (injection). 

What are possible complications of poison ivy rash in a child?

The rash may become infected from bacteria. This is often spread from under the fingernails while scratching. 

What can you do to prevent poison ivy rash in your child?

A poison ivy rash can be prevented by staying away from the plant. Creams containing bentoquatam may be used as a barrier on the skin if contact with the plant is likely. But it is not recommended for children younger than age 6.

The rash can’t spread from person to person. But oil on your child’s skin can spread to another person who may then get the rash. To help prevent a poison ivy rash:

• Teach all family members to recognize the plants and stay away from them.

• Make sure your child wears pants, long sleeves, shoes, and socks when in areas where the plants grow.

• Wash your child's clothes and shoes right after your child has been in areas where the plants grow.

• Make sure your child doesn’t touch a pet that might have been in contact with the plants. Wash your pet after it has had contact with the plant.

• Make sure your child showers or bathes with soap and warm water if they have been in an area where the plants grow. To remove all plant oil, help your child wash all areas of their body very well. 

When to contact your child's doctor

Contact the doctor if your child has:

• Symptoms not relieved by over-the-counter medicine.

• Rash on their face or genitals.

• Severe rash.

• Rash that covers a lot of your child's body.

• Signs of a skin infection, such as a fever, increased redness, warmth, swelling, or fluid.

• A rash that does not get better after 1 week.

Call 911 if your child has:

• Trouble swallowing or breathing.

Key points about poison ivy rash in children

• Poison ivy, oak, and sumac cause an allergic skin reaction. The reaction is caused by oil from the plant.

• Staying away from the poison ivy plant is the best prevention.

• Washing the skin after touching the plant can prevent a rash.

• The fluid from the blisters doesn’t make poison ivy spread. But oil on the skin can cause a rash if wiped on another person.

• In most cases, poison ivy rash can be treated at home.

• A poison ivy rash may be treated with soothing products, calamine lotion, or corticosteroid creams, pills, liquids, or injections.

Next steps

Here are some tips to help you get the most from a visit to your child’s doctor:

• Know the reason for the visit and what you want to happen.

• Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.

• At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions the doctor gives you for your child.

• Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed and how it will help your child. Also know what the side effects are and when they should be reported.

• Ask if your child’s condition can be treated in other ways.

• Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.

• Know what to expect if your child doesn't take the medicine or have the test or procedure.

• If your child has a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.

• Know how you can contact your child’s doctor after office hours, and on weekends and holidays. This is important if your child becomes ill and you have questions or need advice.