Poison Ivy

Toxicodendron radicans, or poison ivy, is found in North America and Asia in 30 varieties. The oil from the plant that causes itchy, blistering rashes on most people is called urushiol, and the rash takes 12-72 hours to set in. This means you could unintentionally spread the oil to other people, or to other parts of your body, before the rash sets in.

The symptoms include itchy skin, red streaks, hives, swelling, blisters, and crusting skin (after blisters burst). Some people are severely allergic to the oil.

If the individual has any of the following symptoms, get them to the ER immediately:

Trouble breathing/swallowing

Rash covering most of the body

Many rashes/blisters

Swelling- especially eyelids

A rash on the face or genitals

Much of the skin itches or the itch will not go away

85% of people are sensitive to urushiol- the other 15% never develop a sensitivity.

If you'd like to know more, check out AAD and amnh.org.