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Poison ivy, oak and sumac: first aid, the rash, and when to get care
For anyone who touched poison ivy, poison oak or poison sumac, has the itchy rash, or breathed the smoke of burning plants, or is looking after someone who did. This page passes on, by name, what CDC’s page Poisonous Plants and Work says (from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, NIOSH), what the Food and Drug Administration’s page Outsmarting Poison Ivy and Other Poisonous Plants says, and what the MedlinePlus summary says (from the National Library of Medicine): washing the oil off, the rash and the itch, when to call 911 or see a doctor, what the plants look like, and how to keep the oil off you. It builds the words to tell a nurse, a doctor or a pharmacist and prints a card to fill in.
Right now
- Swelling or trouble breathing? Call 911 or go to a hospital emergency room. CDC says so for a severe allergic reaction, like swelling or difficulty breathing, and for anyone who has had a severe reaction to poisonous plants in the past.
- Rinse the skin right away with rubbing alcohol, a poison plant wash or dishwashing soap, and lots of water. Rinse often, and scrub under the nails with a brush (CDC).
- Wash what touched it: clothes separately in hot water with detergent; tools with rubbing alcohol or soap and water, wearing disposable gloves (CDC); a pet with pet shampoo, wearing rubber gloves (FDA).
- Do not scratch the blisters (FDA). The rash is not catching, and the blister fluid does not spread it (CDC, FDA).
- On the face or genitals, or severe? Get medical help (CDC). Never burn these plants: the smoke can cause severe allergic breathing problems (CDC).
More help
- A severe allergic reaction: the signs and what to do. An emergency of another kind: First aid: what to do right now.
- Another rash or itch: A rash, an itch, or something going around at home: find the right page.
- Before a visit: Get ready for your appointment. No insurance: When you need a doctor and can’t pay.
- Other things outdoors: Bee, wasp and fire ant stings · After a tick bite · Spider bites · Snakebite.
- All our free tools.
A rash or an itch, and not sure this is the right page? The pages on this site for a rash, an itch or something going around at home, on one list.
Looking after a baby or child? The pages on this site for a baby or child, on one list.
This page and its wording were written with AI (Claude) for Scarlet Beast (our AI policy). No doctor or nurse has reviewed it. The facts were read on October 14, 2026 on three government pages: Poisonous Plants and Work on cdc.gov, from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (updated and reviewed October 1, 2026), the main source; Outsmarting Poison Ivy and Other Poisonous Plants on fda.gov (content current as of June 9, 2021); and the summary of the MedlinePlus health topic Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac, from the National Library of Medicine. CDC’s page is written for outdoor workers; its first aid fits anyone. The 911 line is CDC’s own. Medicines: CDC names calamine lotion, hydrocortisone cream and an antihistamine such as diphenhydramine for the itch, with “follow the directions”, and bentoquatam as a barrier lotion before contact; MedlinePlus says to ask a pharmacist about over-the-counter medicines. No brand and no amount is given here. What we left out: home remedies, photos of the plants (CDC’s page links the Department of Agriculture’s), prescription medicines (that is a doctor’s call), and other poisonous plants, such as plants that are poisonous to eat (for that, see When it might be a poisoning). This page saves nothing and loads no trackers.