Poison Ivy, Oak, Or Sumac: When To Call A Doctor

Content provided by Healthwise

When To Call a Doctor

Call a health professional if:

• The rash (allergic contact dermatitis ) from poison ivy, oak, or sumac causes great discomfort that is not relieved by home treatment (for instance, you apply calamine lotion to the rash, but itching continues to make it difficult to sleep).
• The rash shows signs of infection, such as pain, swelling, or warmth around the affected area.
• The rash covers a very large area of the body.
• Home treatment causes the rash to get worse or to come back after nearly disappearing.
• Rashes occur frequently, and you are not sure what is causing them. (The rashes may be caused by another kind of plant.)
• Your mouth is swollen or you think the rash has spread to your mouth.
• The rash has spread to your face, particularly around an eye.
• You have a rash and a weakened immune system.

Call 911 if you are having a hard time breathing.

Watchful Waiting

Watchful waiting is a wait-and-see approach. If the rash is not severe, watchful waiting may be appropriate. Home treatment may be used to relieve symptoms. Dark spots may develop, but this is not serious.

Watchful waiting is not appropriate if the rash develops over your entire body, becomes infected, or reappears or gets worse after using medicine. See your health professional.

Who To See

You may not need to see a health professional for the rash. But if you want to find the cause of the rash or treat an uncomfortable, severe, or infected rash, you may choose to see:

• A family medicine doctor.
• An internist.
• A pediatrician.
• A dermatologist.
• A physician assistant.
• A nurse practitioner.

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.

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