Poison Ivy Rash in Children

What is poison ivy rash?

Poison ivy rash is an itchy, allergic reaction to poison ivy. Poison ivy is a very common plant in the U.S. It's similar to two other plants called poison oak and poison sumac. The plants cause allergic dermatitis. This means the body's immune system releases certain chemicals that cause a skin reaction. Most children are allergic to poison ivy.

What causes poison ivy rash in a child?

Poison ivy has an oil called urushiol. This oil causes the allergic skin reaction. The oil is easily wiped from the plants to other objects. These include clothes, toys, and pets. Smoke from a burning plant can also contain the oil.

Which children are at risk for poison ivy rash?

Children who live near the plants are at risk for the skin reaction. There are different types of these plants around the country. They are:

Poison ivy. This is a ground or climbing vine with leaves grouped in threes in most of the U.S. Another type grows as a shrub in the Western U.S.
Poison oak. This is a ground or climbing vine or shrub with leaves grouped in threes. One type grows on the West coast and another type grows mostly in the Southeast.
Poison sumac. This is a shrub or small tree with groups of several leaves arranged in pairs. It grows in very wet areas.

What are the symptoms of poison ivy rash in a child?

Your child may have symptoms within hours or days after coming in contact with poison ivy. The symptoms include:

Small bumps where the plant oil touched the skin that quickly turn into blisters
Severe itching
Redness and swelling
Blisters that break, ooze fluid, and crust over. The fluid in the blisters doesn’t spread the rash.

The symptoms of poison ivy rash can be like other health conditions. Make sure your child sees a healthcare provider for a diagnosis if you are unsure.

How is poison ivy rash diagnosed in a child?

The healthcare provider will ask about your child’s symptoms and health history. The provider will give your child a physical exam. More testing is usually not needed.

How is poison ivy rash treated in a child?

Your child's rash may be treated with over-the counter medicines. You can also help ease your child's symptoms with the following:

Bathing your child in water with colloidal oatmeal
Applying cool, wet cloths (compresses)
Using calamine lotion or corticosteroid cream on the skin
Giving your child diphenhydramine liquid by mouth at bedtime, if itching is making it hard for your child to sleep. Always check with your healthcare provider before giving any medicine to your child.

Call the healthcare provider if your child:

Inhaled smoke from a burning poison ivy plant
Has the rash on their face or genitals
Has a severe rash
Has a rash on a large part of their body

In these cases, your child's healthcare provider may prescribe a prescription medicine, such as:

Corticosteroid cream
Corticosteroid pills or liquid
Corticosteroid shot (injection)

What are possible complications of poison ivy rash in a child?

The rash may become infected from bacteria. This is often spread from under the fingernails while scratching.

What can I do to prevent poison ivy rash in my child?

A poison ivy rash can be prevented by staying away from the plant. Creams containing bentoquatam may be used as a barrier on the skin if contact with the plant is likely. But it is not recommended for children younger than age 6.

The rash can’t spread from person to person. But oil on your child’s skin can spread to another person who may then get the rash. To help prevent a poison ivy rash:

Teach all family members to recognize the plants and stay away from them.
Make sure your child wears pants, long sleeves, and shoes and socks when in areas where the plants grow.
Wash your child's clothes and shoes right after they have been in areas where the plants grow.
Make sure your child doesn’t touch a pet that might have been in contact with the plants. Wash your pet after it has had contact with the plant.
Make sure your child showers or bathes with soap and warm water if they have been in an area where the plants grow. To remove all plant oil, help your child wash all areas of their body very well.

When should I call my child's healthcare provider?

Call the healthcare provider if your child has:

Difficulty swallowing or breathing (call 911)
Symptoms not relieved by over-the-counter medicine
Rash on their face or genitals
Severe rash
Rash that covers a lot of your child's body
Signs of a skin infection, such as fever, increased redness, warmth, swelling, or fluid
Rash does not get better after 1 week

Key points about poison ivy rash in children

Poison ivy, oak, and sumac cause an allergic skin reaction. The reaction is caused by oil from the plant.
Staying away from the poison ivy plant is the best prevention.
Washing the skin after touching the plant can prevent a rash.
The fluid from the blisters doesn’t make poison ivy spread. But oil on the skin can cause a rash if wiped on another person.
In most cases, poison ivy rash can be treated at home.
A poison ivy rash may be treated with soothing products, calamine lotion, or corticosteroids creams, pills, liquids, or injections.

Next steps

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your child’s healthcare provider:

Know the reason for the visit and what you want to happen.
Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you for your child.
Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed and how it will help your child. Also know what the side effects are and when they should be reported.
Ask if your child’s condition can be treated in other ways.
Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
Know what to expect if your child does not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.
If your child has a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.
Know how you can contact your child’s healthcare provider after office hours, and on weekends and holidays. This is important if your child becomes ill and you have questions or need advice.