By admin 
Skin contact with poison ivy sap can cause a painful allergic reaction called “contact dermatitis” or ” Rhus dermatitis .”
The substance responsible for this allergic reaction is urushiol, a substance contained in the sap of poison ivy. The sap is present in all parts of the plant except the pollen.
An estimated 9 out of 10 people are sensitive to poison ivy sap. These people react even to very small amounts of urushiol.
Symptom
Symptoms of an allergic reaction to poison ivy usually appear 24 to 48 hours after contact with the plant’s sap.
The first sign of an allergic reaction to poison ivy is severe itching accompanied by redness at the site of contact.
Subsequently, lesions may appear:
inflammation;
swelling;
blisters;
crusting when the blisters burst and flow.
The severity of the allergic reaction depends on:
the sensitivity of the person;
the amount of sap that comes into contact with his skin;
The most serious allergic reactions affect areas of the body where the skin is thin, such as the face and genitals.
When reactions are more severe, recovery may take up to 3 weeks.
When to consult
Seek immediate medical attention if you have inhaled smoke from burned poison ivy plants. Breathing this smoke can cause extremely painful lung inflammation and serious breathing problems that can lead to death.
If you have swallowed poison ivy sap, seek medical attention. The sap can cause damage to the following organs:
the digestive tract;
the respiratory tract;
the kidneys.
Also consult a doctor if:
you have lesions and they are extensive;
you have lesions in several places on your body;
you have lesions in sensitive areas of your body such as your face, eyes and genital area;
your symptoms last more than 3 weeks;
you have symptoms of infection in the affected area, despite treatment . Symptoms of infection include:
increased pain,
discharge of pus;
redness;
increased swelling 72 hours after contact with sap.
Treatments
wash the exposed area with cold water as soon as possible. You can use a mild soap;
be sure to remove any plant debris that may have gotten under your fingernails;
avoid rubbing your skin too hard.
To relieve your symptoms:
Ask your pharmacist;
Avoid hot baths and showers. Hot water can increase redness, itching, and swelling.
Be sure to run the tap water directly over your eye, starting from the inner corner (near the nose) and working toward the outer corner.
Consult a healthcare professional if these measures are not enough to relieve your symptoms.
It should be noted that antihistamines (drugs used to treat allergies) do not directly affect the allergic reaction to poison ivy. These medications aim to reduce or eliminate the effects of histamine, but poison ivy does not cause the release of this substance.
Complications
The main complications that can occur are:
infection of lesions on affected skin areas;
This damage can lead to serious breathing problems that can be fatal.
Transmission
Poison ivy sap can easily adhere to gardening tools, clothing and pet hair.
The urushiol in the sap, which is responsible for allergic reactions, is oily and does not evaporate. It can therefore remain toxic for several months. Be careful if you touch objects that have been contaminated or dead or dried poison ivy plants.