How to Treat Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, and Poison Sumac Exposures

Summer is here, people spend more time outdoors, especially kids will enjoy playing in the backyard. However, there are three poison plants - poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac - are popular in the wild and when your kids play in the backyard or in the park, they need to steer clear of these poison plants. Once exposed to these poison plants, a person's skin will see an itchy and irritating rash. If this happened, how to treat such exposures?

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. First, obviously you want to avoid the contact - to do that you need to know what do these poison plants look like.

2. If exposed, within 10 minutes of exposure, take immediate actions and you will have a chance to stop the rash. Here is what you need to do: wipe the contact area with rubbing alcohol. Wash with water only. Do not use soap which will make the situation worse. Then shower with soap and warm water.

3. Do not touch the clothes and shoes that might be exposed as well. Wipe the shoes and clothes first before throwing them into wash machine.

4. After 10 minutes, if untreated, you will see an all-out rash. Before you send the affected person to see a Doctor, wash with calamine lotion or oatmeal baths. The itch might be untolerable, use antihistamines might help a little bit.
   
   Once treated, the rash will disappear in one to three weeks. If not, get prescription from a Doctor for a topical steroid or antibiotic.

5. If possible, see a Doctor as soon as possible.