The great outdoors are filled with numerous plants that can cause an allergic reaction if you happen to come into contact with them. If you have suddenly developed a rash after being outdoors, it could be a result of coming into contact with poison ivy and/or poison oak.
Dr. Vivian Bucay and her staff specialize in poison ivy and oak treatment. We can help diagnosis a current rash as being caused by poison ivy or poison oak and provide you with treatment recommendations.
Why Does a Rash Form From Contact with Poison Ivy or Oak?
Poison ivy and oak cause a rash to form due to the oil that is produced by these plants. When the oil, which is called urushiol, comes into contact with your skin, it causes an allergic reaction. The rash is a result of that allergic reaction.
What Does the Rash from Poison Ivy or Oak Look Like?
Rashes that happen as a result of coming into contact with poison ivy or poison oak appear as red, blisters. These blisters can be extremely itchy. The rash will happen on the area of skin that came into contact with the poison ivy or oak.
How Can Dr. Bucay Help with Poison Ivy or Oak Treatment?
Unfortunately, the rash that forms from contact with poison ivy or oak appears very similar to other rashes. We can help properly determine if a rash is caused by poison ivy/oak. Proper diagnosis is important to receiving proper treatment.
A visual inspection of the rash is often all that is needed to determine if it is caused by poison ivy or poison oak. Our staff may ask for a brief overview of what activities you have engaged in or where you have been in the past week, as this will help us determine if there was the possibility of you coming into contact with poison ivy or poison oak.
What Poison Ivy or Oak Treatment Will Be Recommended?
The poison ivy or oak treatment we recommend for our patients will vary depending upon the severity of the rash. Minor cases can be treated with over-the-counter antihistamines and anti-itch creams or gels.
Severe cases of poison ivy or oak may require prescription medication. If we determine the case to be serious, we may prescribe steroid ointments, creams or gels, or medication like prednisone. In the event the area around the rash is infected, a prescription antibiotic may also need to be prescribed.