Poison Oak, Ivy, Sumac dermatitis

Background

Poison Ivy

• Caused by Urashiols found in the sap of the plant.

Plant	Distribution	Charateristics
Ivy	East of the Rockies	3 leaf structure
Oak	West of the Rockies	can be tree or bush vinejet black stain on leaf 3 leaf structure
Sumac	Southeast swamps	2 opposing leaflets single terminal leaf

Diagnosis

Rash

• Previous exposure leads to sensitization and earlier symptoms
  • 1-2 days for previous sensitizations and 10-14 days for first contact

Workup

• Clinical diagnosis

Treatment

Prexposure Prophylaxis

• Ivy Shield, Stokogard, Organoclay, IvyBlock

Postexposure Prophylaxis

• Technu Poison Cleanser- may solubilize bound resin several hours post exposure
• Dr Wests Ivy Detox Cleanser chelates urushiol- decreases itching even if have rash

Symptomatic Treatment

• if small can use topical Temovate 0.05%
• topical anesthetic- menthol or pramoxine
• single IM dose of Triamcinolone or Prednisone taper over 15-20 days
  • 60mg x 4d then 50mg x 4d then 40 30 20....Use oral steroid for 3wks until skin turns over
• systemic antihistamines
• cooling soothing baths
• Pentoxifylline- blocks formation of TNF alpha- suppresses allergic patch testing
• Put sunscreen first, then prexposure ivy cream, then mosquito repellant

See Also

• Rashes