Poison ivy is a common poisonous plant that causes an itchy skin rash. This plant produces an oily sap which contains urushiol that results in itchy and irritating allergic reactions. As a result of the reaction, rashes start to develop over the course of a few days and you might experience extreme itching and swelling on the affected area. 

Even though this allergy is painful and worries people, the rash caused is not contagious and gets recovered in some time, but to get a clear idea, people often wonder how long does poison ivy last and when to consult a doctor. Well, if you also want to know about it, then we got everything covered in this article below. 

As you scroll down, you will find out complete details about poison ivy, such as how long it lasts, its risk factors, best ways to prevent it and much more. So just continue to read below to check out all the information. 

How long does poison ivy last?

Poison ivy is a plant whose oil causes a rash after it is directly exposed to the sun. This rash is majorly characterised by weeping blisters which usually occur in the linear patch. This might be accompanied by swelling and mild redness around the rash. The rash usually occurs after 2-3 days of getting exposed to the plant and you might start to experience extreme itching, which is very common. The rash caused by poison ivy lasts for 2-3 weeks and takes around 15-20 days to fully recover. 

When poison ivy actually spreads for more than 3 days, it is likely that your child is in continuous contact with the plant oils. This could be either because of unwashed clothes or bed sheets which might have come in contact with the oil of the plant. So if you notice the continuity of the rash for quite a few days, then immediately consult a doctor and wait for 2 weeks to get it back to normal.

Risk Factors of Poison Ivy

As you read above about how long does poison ivy last, let us now find out about the risk factors associated with it. So your risk of getting rashes increases when you are involved in outdoor activities that put you at a higher risk of exposure to poison ivy, poison sumac and poison oak. Some most common risk factors associated with it are-

1. Firefighting 

2. Farming

3. Camping 

4. Construction 

5. Telephone or cable line installation 

6. Forestry

7. Gardening

8. Hunting

9. Hiking

10. Landscaping 

11. Fishing from the shoreline

How to Prevent and Protect Poison Ivy?

Even though the answer to how long does poison ivy last is approximately 3 weeks, there are several ways to protect or prevent poison ivy in the first place-

1. Wash your bedding, shoes and clothes after being exposed to poison ivy. It is because the oil in it can cause the rashes to spread for weeks if not cleaned properly.

2. If you are in a region or area where you have chances of coming in contact with poison ivy, then don’t forget to wear long pants and wearing socks to prevent exposure to it.

3. If you have a pet, then remember to wash your pet after exposure because the oil can easily spread from fur to your skin causing a problem of poison ivy.

4. Avoid going to areas where poison ivy generally grows or more likely to grow, such as fields or river banks.

5. If you start to suspect or notice that you or your child has come in contact with poison ivy, then wash that area properly with soap and warm water as soon as you notice it.

Treatments for Poison Ivy

All the possible treatments for poison ivy just aim for one thing, and that is to reduce the itchiness associated with the rash and to speed up the rate of recovery of the infection.

1. Oral Steroids- In case the rash is severe, occasionally oral steroids are used. It involves areas around the groyne, eyes or based on the judgement of your provider.

2. Topical Steroids- These help to reduce the itchiness of the rash and also the time of how long does poison ivy last. Note that 1% hydrocortisone is available over the counter.

3. Oral Diphenhydramine or Benadryl, a topical calamine lotion and oatmeal baths might also help to reduce the itch that is associated with poison ivy on a temporary basis, but will actually not help the rash to properly heal.

So when to see a doctor?

As you know now how long does poison ivy last and its prevention and treatment methods, let us now find out when is the right time to see a doctor. So you must seek medical attention if you have inhaled smoke from the burning poison ivy and are facing difficulty in breathing. You should also see your doctor if you face any of the following issues-

1. Blisters are oozing pus

2. The reaction is widespread or severe

3. The rash does not get better within a few weeks

4. You are getting fever more than 100 F or 37.8 C

5. Your skin has started to swell

6. The rash has started to affect your genitals, eyes and mouth

Conclusion

Thus, this is complete information on how long does poison ivy last, risk factors associated with it, best ways of prevention, treatment methods and when to see a doctor!