Question 1

i have poison oak and poison ivy. is the rash contagious to others and could it be spread on my body by scratching or simple contact?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Yes and Yes to both questions.

Question 2

i have a poison ivy rash help me please?

Accepted Answer

Cold compresses: Confirm poison ivy:touch a plant? Touch something that had the plants oil? Nearby when poison ivy brush was being burned. Rash: itches, may blister, last 1-3 wks. Avoid itching, cool wraps/cloths to area, hydrocortisone/calamine to soothe, if blistering try burrows solution or products with aluminum acetate. See doc if:severe rash, involves face/genitals, swelling, worse at 2-3wks, infection.

Question 3

what looks like poison ivy rash but isnt?

Accepted Answer

Eczema: Eczema, in the new, or acute stage, can look a lot like an itchy, weepy poison ivy rash.  It is usually limited to a localized area, rather than be spread over a larger area like poison ivy.  See you doctor to be sure and to get treatment.

Question 4

how might a sauna affect my poison ivy rash?

Accepted Answer

Itchier After Sauna: There are no contra-indications to being in a sauna with a poison ivy rash, but itchy rashes are often worse after exposure to heat.  While heat may initially be soothing, the sweating and evaporation after a sauna may make your rash itchier.

Question 5

what is the best way to apply bleach on a poison ivy rash?

Accepted Answer

Don't do that: You shouldn't apply bleach over the inflamed skin area due to poison ivy contact dermatitis. Bleach is an irritant and would make your skin more inflamed. Wash your skin throughly with water to rinse the resin off. You can apply an otc topical corticosteroid on the area. If it does not work, your doctor can start you on a short course of oral steroid to make it heal faster.

Question 6

possible for rubbing alcohol really dry up poison ivy rash?

Accepted Answer

Not likely: At best momentary relief by evaporation and cooling.

Question 7

how to know when a poison ivy rash is infected  or needs to be treated?

Accepted Answer

Pus formation: Severe, extensive  poison ivy rash could benefit from treatment. If there are any areas with pus formation that would indicate infection and you should seek care.

Question 8

how do you stop poison ivy rash from spreading to the rest of your body?

Accepted Answer

Poison ivy: After an encounter with poison ivy, or any irritating plants, an initial thorough cleansing of the skin is mandatory in order to wash off the oil that initiates the severe skin reaction.

Question 9

how long does it take for a poison ivy rash to develop and start itching?

Accepted Answer

Usually a day or so: The chemical in the poison ivy plant that causes the problem in many people usually takes a day or two before it fully erupts. Often, people feel something is a little different for a day or two before the itch and rash starts. Once there, it takes about 7-10 days to run its course.New blisters will appear and finally crust over.The rash is not contagious!the source is-clothes, gloves, etc.

Question 10

what is the treatment for poison ivy rash?

Accepted Answer

Poison Ivy: If the rash is widespread or results in a large number of blisters, your doctor may prescribe an oral corticosteroid, such as prednisone, for poison ivy treatment. If a bacterial infection has developed at the rash site, your doctor will likely give you a prescription for an oral antibiotic. Prescription topical steroids are also helpful.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Is poison ivy rash contagious

A member asked:

I have poison oak and poison ivy. is the rash contagious to others and could it be spread on my body by scratching or simple contact?

A member asked:

I have a poison ivy rash help me please?

A member asked:

What looks like poison ivy rash but isnt?

A member asked:

How might a sauna affect my poison ivy rash?

A member asked:

What is the best way to apply bleach on a poison ivy rash?

A member asked:

Possible for rubbing alcohol really dry up poison ivy rash?

A member asked:

How to know when a poison ivy rash is infected or needs to be treated?

A member asked:

How do you stop poison ivy rash from spreading to the rest of your body?

A member asked:

How long does it take for a poison ivy rash to develop and start itching?

A member asked:

What is the treatment for poison ivy rash?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?