Poison Oak Treatments

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Health Encyclopedia: Poison Ivy Oak Sumac

Definition

Poison ivy, oak, or sumac poisoning is an allergic reaction that results from touching the sap of these plants. The sap may be on the plant, in the ashes of burned plants, on an animal, or on other objects that came in contact with the plant, such as clothing, garden tools, and sports equipment.

Small amounts of sap can remain under a person's fingernails for several days unless it is deliberately removed with very good cleaning.

This is for information only and not for use in the...

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From Our Experts

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EXPERT

Poison Ivy: "Leaves of Three Leave Them Be!"

By James Thompson, MD, Health Expert

The beginning of summer kicks off the camping and hiking season, anxiously awaited by those who have endured a long cold winter. But being... Read more »

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EXPERT

10 Quick Facts about Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac

By Merely Me, Health Expert

Here on My Skin Care Connection we get a lot of questions about itchy rashes.  With summertime soon approaching I predict that questions... Read more »

38641_3666
EXPERT

Sun Poisoning: What Are the Symptoms?

By Sue Chung, Health Expert

Reader: I got a bad sun burn and now it's painful. How can I tell if it's just a regular sunburn or if it's sun poisoning?   Sunburns are... Read more »

109789
EXPERT

Allergen of the Month: Poison Ivy (and less obvious ‘relatives’)

By Fred Little, Health Expert

In susceptible individuals, poison ivy causes allergic contact dermatitis. While contact may be apparent and avoidable in many cases, it... Read more »

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From Our Sources

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Avoiding and Treating Poison Ivy, Oak and Sumac Allergic React...

The beginning of summer kicks off the camping and hiking season, anxiously awaited by those who have endured a long cold winter. This year will... Read more »

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Poison Ivy and Poison Oak

Source: HealthCentral Encyclopedia

Poison ivy rash is allergic contact dermatitis caused by a substance called urushiol, found in the sap of poison ivy. This same substance can be... Read more »

Adam_encyclopedia

Poison ivy: oak: sumac rash

Source: ADAM Encyclopedia

Poison ivy, oak, and sumac are plants that commonly cause an allergic skin reaction. The result is typically an itching, red rash with bumps or... Read more »

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Food Poisoning

Source: Harvard Decision Guide

Prevention To prevent food poisoning, select safe foods. Take the following steps: Examine foods carefully. Buy foods before their... Read more »

Adam_encyclopedia

Skin Rashes, Poison Ivy, Warts, Styes, Ringworm

Source: ADAM Encyclopedia

Rashes involve changes in the color or texture of your skin. Alternative Names Skin redness or inflammation; Skin lesion; Rubor; Skin... Read more »

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Images

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Poison oak rash on the arm

Is This Rash Poison Ivy?

Poisonplants

Know What Poison Ivy Looks Like Poison Ivy and Poison Oak have three leaflets with a longer middle leaf. Remember the saying, "When in three, let it be." Poison Ivy can grow as a vine or low shrub. Poison sumac can grow as a large bush or small...

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