Barrier creams and lotions for prevention of poison ivy, oak, or sumac rash

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Barrier creams and lotions for prevention of poison ivy, oak, or sumac rash

If you know you will be working around poison ivy, oak, or sumac, you may consider using a barrier cream or lotion to help prevent the plant oil (urushiol) from contact with your skin and causing a rash (allergic contact dermatitis ).

Apply the product less than 1 hour before contact with the plant, in a thick, complete layer.
Wash it off thoroughly within 4 hours (preferably as soon as possible) after contact with the plants. The product only delays the penetration of the urushiol.
Reapply every 4 hours for continued protection.

Products containing 5% bentoquatam (such as Ivy Block) have been shown to be highly effective in preventing the rash and reducing its severity. Products containing bentoquatam should not be used on children younger than age 6 or by anyone who already has a rash from the poison ivy, oak, or sumac plants. These products are available without prescription.

Barrier creams and lotions should not be viewed as a complete form of protection from developing a poison ivy rash.

Credits

Author	Colleen Cronin
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Primary Medical Reviewer	Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Last Updated	January 12, 2006

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

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