Should i take benadryl for poison ivy

Do this as often as needed to help with the itching and oozing. Avoid Scratching: Try not to scratch the rash. This could cause a secondary infection from bacteria. What to Expect: The rash most often lasts 2 weeks. Treatment will help with the severity of the symptoms, not how long they last. Poison Ivy Rash on Forearm The oil from the plant leaves irritates the skin. Poison Ivy Rash on Wrist The oil from the plant leaves irritates the skin.

Poison Ivy Plant Example 1 The leaves appear in groups of three. Contact dermatitis. Mayo Clinic; Kermott CA, et al. Poison ivy rash. Time; Thompson DA. American Academy of Pediatrics; Poison ivy allergic contact dermatitis. Outsmarting poison ivy and other poisonous plants. Food and Drug Administration. Accessed June 10, Prok L, et al. Poison ivy Toxicodendron dermatitis. Gibson LE expert opinion. So you could pick up a rake from last season when you're raking up some of that stuff and touch it and get an exposure that way as well.

That's been reported to come in. Youngquist: And then the waiting begins to see if you react. If you do react, most of the problem is due to itching, and some people it drives nuts. You can try over-the-counter Benadryl and some calamine lotion, some oatmeal baths.

That usually helps with the itchiness. Interviewer: But otherwise not a major danger where you get into the trouble as if you really start scratching and damaging your skin. That's the main problem. Although I did have a friend who was camping with his family and they picked out poison oak as the branches they would use to roast their marshmallows, so they all ended up with swollen lips and tongues and had to go to the emergency department.

Interviewer: It could be pretty bad. So is there a point where you would need to see a doctor? Youngquist: Well, doctors can prescribe steroids, of course. So if the Benadryl and the calamine and other treatments aren't cutting it for your itchiness, then, of course, steroids may help with that subjective sense of itchiness.

Otherwise, there's not much that can be done. Announcer: Want The Scope delivered straight to your inbox? Enter your email address at thescoperadio. Subscribe to Our e-Newsletter. Find a doctor or location close to you so you can get the health care you need, when you need it. And is poison ivy and poison oak, are they kind of similar?

And what does that look like on your skin? Interviewer: So if it gets on your clothes and you touched your clothes or your dog? So wash it off with some cold water, some mild soap? Youngquist: Yep, mild soap.