Poison Ivy, Oak, or Sumac

Call 911 or other emergency services if you have a rash and:

• Are having severe trouble breathing.

Call a doctor if:

• The rash (allergic Reference contact dermatitis Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window) from poison ivy, oak, or sumac causes great discomfort that is not relieved by home treatment (for instance, you apply calamine lotion to the rash, but itching continues to make it difficult to sleep).
• The rash shows Reference signs of infection Opens New Window, such as pain, swelling, or warmth around the affected area.
• The rash covers a very large area of the body.
• Home treatment causes the rash to get worse or to come back after nearly disappearing.
• Rashes occur frequently, and you are not sure what is causing them. (The rashes may be caused by another kind of plant.)
• Your mouth is swollen or you think the rash has spread to your mouth.
• The rash has spread to your face, particularly around an eye.
• You have a rash and a Reference weakened immune system Opens New Window.

Watchful waiting

Watchful waiting is a wait-and-see approach. If the rash is not severe, watchful waiting may be appropriate. Home treatment may be used to relieve symptoms. Dark spots may develop, but this is not serious.

Watchful waiting is not appropriate if the rash develops over your entire body, becomes infected, or reappears or gets worse after using medicine. See your doctor.

Who to see

You may not need to see a doctor for the rash. But if you want to find the cause of the rash or if you want to treat an uncomfortable, severe, or infected rash, you may choose to see:

• A Reference family medicine doctor Opens New Window.
• An Reference internist Opens New Window.
• A Reference pediatrician Opens New Window.
• A Reference dermatologist Opens New Window.
• A Reference physician assistant Opens New Window.
• A Reference nurse practitioner Opens New Window.
• A Reference pharmacist Opens New Window.

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Reference Making the Most of Your Appointment.

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