Question 1

can you get poison ivy on your hand?

Accepted Answer

Yes: You can get poison ivy anywhere your skin comes in contact with the plant oils.  However, it is more common to get it on areas of thinner skin, such as the back of your hand vs the palm.  Because we use our hands & wash them more often, the oils often don't come in contact or absorb as much on the hands vs other body parts.

Question 2

is it safe to eat cooked food that  may have been prepared by hands that were exposed to poison ivy?  thanks

Accepted Answer

Cooked is ok: As long as the food is cooked, the protein from the poison ivy (urushiol) should be degraded and not cause any problems.  Regardless, you would want to wash your hands when preparing a meal for basic hygiene.

Question 3

why aren't my child's hands being affected by poison oak or poison ivy?

Accepted Answer

Not all folks get it: Only about 80% of people are sensitive to the irritant effects of urushiol, the chemical in the resin of these plants that binds to the skin and causes that darn, itchy rash so many of us know. That means your kids are part of the "lucky 20" - the 20% or so of folks who can roll around in poison ivy or oak and walk away with nary an itch.

Question 4

best otc for severe poison ivy around face neck ears and hands?  can it be dangerous and what to watch for if so?

Accepted Answer

OTC RX FOR POISON IV: Benadryl (diphenhydramine) every 4 hours to stop the itching, but ba careful will make you drowsy, calamine lotion and over the counter 1%hydrocortisone cream twice a day.
But if it is severe and since you say face is involved, you should  see your doctor as you may need systemic steroids by mouth for up to six days.
It can get secondary infection and leave some scaring if not properly treated.

Question 5

alex has areas on the top of his hands that started warm and red. the second day they had small blisters resembling poison ivy but they do not itch. ?

Accepted Answer

Contact Dermatitis?: It sounds like he may have come in contact with something that he has an allergy to.  If the area continues to worsen, see a doc or open a video consult so it can be evaluated in case it's something else.  Hope this helps!

Question 6

i had either poison ivy or poison oak on my hands now the skin is really rough and peeling what should i do?

Accepted Answer

Emollient: If the skin does not have a wet rash, you may use a skin emollient like Vaseline.
For good health - Have a diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, milk and milk products, nuts, beans, legumes, lentils and small amounts of lean meats. Avoid saturated fats. Drink enough water daily, so that your urine is mostly colorless. Exercise at least 150 minutes/week and increase the intensity of exercise gradually. Do not use tobacco, alcohol, weed or street drugs in any form. 
Practice safe sex, if you have sex.

Question 7

is it safe to eat with your hands when you have poison ivy and you have a soar in your mouth?

Accepted Answer

Yes: The blisters from poison ivy do not transfer the allergic reaction. The oil from the plant does. As long as you have washed your hands with a good soap to remove the plant oil you should not transfer the rash to other parts of your body.

Question 8

i have had poison ivy, all lesions healed and gone, then a itching and flaming red skin started on hands and feet, legs, butt, not external.

Accepted Answer

Different cause: You're itching at this point is probably not related to the poison ivy.You should see a medical doctor since there can be internal causes of pruritus better known as itching.

Question 9

i have poison ivy and i am worried that when i bit my hang nail off earlier that i spread the poison ivy internally. is that possible?

Accepted Answer

No: poison ivy is local contact allergy. It cannot spread thru blood. It is from direct contact with poison ivy sap or oil from the plant

Question 10

i have a few tiny bumps on the side of my index finger, near the tip. like non itchy poison ivy. not red or painful, hard to even see. what are they?

Accepted Answer

Just guessing: For skin conditions best to see it but this could be dyshidrotic eczema... tiny flesh colored or maybe with tiny bubble of water in it.

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Doctor answers about:

How do you treat poison ivy on your hand

A member asked:

Can you get poison ivy on your hand?

A member asked:

Is it safe to eat cooked food that may have been prepared by hands that were exposed to poison ivy? thanks

A member asked:

Why aren't my child's hands being affected by poison oak or poison ivy?

A member asked:

Best otc for severe poison ivy around face neck ears and hands? can it be dangerous and what to watch for if so?

A member asked:

Alex has areas on the top of his hands that started warm and red. the second day they had small blisters resembling poison ivy but they do not itch. ?

A member asked:

I had either poison ivy or poison oak on my hands now the skin is really rough and peeling what should i do?

A member asked:

Is it safe to eat with your hands when you have poison ivy and you have a soar in your mouth?

A member asked:

I have had poison ivy, all lesions healed and gone, then a itching and flaming red skin started on hands and feet, legs, butt, not external.

A member asked:

I have poison ivy and i am worried that when i bit my hang nail off earlier that i spread the poison ivy internally. is that possible?

A member asked:

I have a few tiny bumps on the side of my index finger, near the tip. like non itchy poison ivy. not red or painful, hard to even see. what are they?

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