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Step 1
Watch for swelling and redness, red streaks or red lines that can appear within 8 to 48 hours after contact with poison ivy. Itching may appear at the same time or shortly after your recognize the appearance of redness.
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Step 2
Recognize additional symptoms, such as blisters and hives. View photos of the poison ivy rash at the Poison Ivy, Oak & Sumac Center website (see Resources below).
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Step 3
Be prepared for the rash to spread to every area that came into contact with the plant. Your rash will be more severe depending upon the amount of urushiol you touched.
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Step 4
Be aware that it is normal for the blisters to leak and then become scaly within a few days.
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Step 5
Expect symptoms to linger for about 10 days. The affected areas may be particularly vulnerable to poison ivy reactions for months.
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Step 6
Watch for swelling and check to see if there is heat around the affected area.
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Step 7
Call your doctor if you develop a fever or if the rash does not improve with a few days.
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Step 1
Be cautious around any object that may have come into contact with urushiol. It can live for years on a dead plant or object, and may be carried on clothing or fur.
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Step 2
Wear gloves when you wash clothes or objects that may have come into contact with poison ivy.
