Things You'll Need:
- Herbicide for killing poison sumac
- Barrier skin lotions
- Deodorant
- Soap and hot water
- Long-sleeved shirts
- Pants
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Step 1
Prevent a poison sumac rash by learning how to identify the plant properly. Poison sumac is a deciduous shrub that can grow up to 30 feet in height, with alternating leave clusters, greenish-yellow flowers and small white berries. Poison sumac can be found in moist, wooded areas such as forests and swamps.
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Step 2
Remove poison sumac from your property as the best way to prevent a rash. You should use an herbicide that has been specially formulated to kill poison sumac plants, as opposed to trying to remove the plants with your hands or with hand tools. Urushiol can get all over your clothing and tools, and remain potent for years if not washed out with soap and hot water.
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Step 3
Wear protective clothing if you will be hiking through an area where poison sumac is known to grow. Long-sleeved shirts, gloves and long pants will protect your from getting a poison sumac rash, as long as you remember to avoid touching your face with your hands and you wash all of your clothing in hot water with soap once you return from your hike.
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Step 4
Use barrier skin lotions on all exposed areas in order to prevent a poison sumac rash. These products contain bentoquatam, a substance that can actually prevent the absorption of urushiol into the skin, helping you to avoid a poison sumac rash completely. Some experienced hikers have also had some success with spraying various types of aerosol deodorants on exposed skin, although studies have been inconclusive about the effectiveness of such products.
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Step 5
Wash with hot water and soap immediately after coming in contact with poison sumac. While this may not completely prevent a poison sumac rash from occurring, you can lower the intensity of the rash dramatically if you are able to wash the urushiol from your skin within 15 to 20 minutes of contact.
