Poison Ivy, Oak, Or Sumac: Prevention

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Prevention

Only the oil (urushiol) from poison ivy, oak, or sumac plants can cause a rash (allergic contact dermatitis ). The best way to avoid contact with urushiol and developing a rash is to avoid the plants.

• Learn to recognize these plants, especially those near where you live. The plants may look different depending on the season and the area where they are growing. A county agricultural extension service may be able to help you identify the plants in your area. See a picture of poison ivy, oak, and sumac leaves .
• While their appearance changes with the seasons, the plants usually contain the same amount of urushiol year-round, even in the winter when they only appear as bare sticks. Black areas on the plants may help to identify them in the winter (urushiol turns black when exposed to air). Living, dormant, and dead plants all contain urushiol, although dead leaves do not contain significant amounts.
• You may also try to remove the plants when appropriate. Never handle these plants without vinyl gloves (urushiol can penetrate rubber).
• When you cannot avoid being near poison ivy, heavy clothing (long pants, long sleeves, enclosed footwear) may help prevent the oil from touching your skin. Clothing or any other object that has touched the plant must be handled carefully and washed thoroughly.
• If you are often in areas where poison ivy, oak, or sumac grows, you may want to get a product (such as Tecnu or Zanfel) that is designed to remove the plant oil (urushiol) from your skin.
• Barrier creams and lotions can be used to prevent urushiol from contacting the skin or to reduce the severity of a reaction. These creams vary in their potency and are not always effective.

If you suspect that your skin has touched poison ivy, oak, or sumac, rinse the area with water immediately (within 10 to 15 minutes) to help prevent a reaction. Most of the oil is absorbed into the skin within 30 minutes.¹ Clothing should also be thoroughly washed right away. Contaminated surfaces should be cleaned with rubbing alcohol.

Last updated:	September 25, 2007
Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC