Poisonous plant rash treatment (Ivy, Oak, Sumac)

1. You may have to answer a few questions about symptoms to help us prepare for your visit prior to scheduling your appointment.

2. Check-in varies depending on how you scheduled your appointment:

   If you made your appointment online:
   Check in using the email or text message we sent to confirm your appointment. If you prefer to check in using the electronic kiosk, make sure you have your confirmation code.

   If you made your appointment in the clinic:
   Sign in at the electronic kiosk.

   If you made a MinuteClinic Virtual Care® appointment:
   To join your virtual visit, use the link in the email or text message we sent you to confirm your appointment. Please join 15 minutes before your scheduled visit time. You will need your date of birth and zip code to join the visit.

3. When it's time for your appointment, a provider will call your name.
4. Your provider will conduct a thorough examination based on your reason for visit, presenting symptoms and health history. Charges will be based on examination and services provided during the visit.
5. At the end of your visit, you are provided with a visit summary, receipt and educational material about your diagnosis. At your request, we can send your primary care provider information about your visit.

Urushiol, an oil these plants make, causes rashes when it gets onto your skin. Often, these rashes will also form blisters. Contrary to popular belief, the fluid from the blisters cannot spread the rash. The rash only spreads from the plant’s oils. If you wash the oil off your skin, you will no longer be able to spread the rashes. However, if you don’t wash the oil off, it can get onto and stay on clothing, pets, tools, shoes and other surfaces for long periods of time.

• Poison ivy: This is usually a vine that grows along riverbanks. It has green leaves that grow in clusters of 3. The leaves are usually very shiny compared to other plant leaves. The stem of poison ivy may have a hairy appearance and smaller stems may have a reddish color.
• Poison oak: This typically grows as a shrub but can also grow as a climbing vine in shaded areas. Like poison ivy, it has shiny, green leaves that grow in clusters of 3. Unlike poison ivy, which is found throughout the U.S., poison oak is found mostly on the West Coast. There is a saying to help you avoid both poison ivy and poison oak – leaves of 3, let it be.
• Poison sumac: This plant is rarer than either poison ivy or poison oak. It is often found in wet or flooded areas in the eastern U.S. and Canada. It has 7 to 13 leaves that grow on a long stem. The leaves are always green and smooth. The stems are always red. Poison sumac grows as a shrub or tree.

MinuteClinic providers can assess your rash and develop a treatment plan to help eliminate itchiness and redness. This plan can help your rash clear up faster by using over-the-counter medications, prescription medications or home remedies. In some cases, scratching the rash can lead to infection (called a secondary infection) that requires antibiotics.