{"id":10032,"date":"2020-06-25T15:00:02","date_gmt":"2020-06-25T20:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.osfhealthcare.org\/blog\/?p=10032"},"modified":"2022-06-08T08:36:07","modified_gmt":"2022-06-08T13:36:07","slug":"how-to-treat-poison-ivy-or-oak","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/how-to-treat-poison-ivy-or-oak\/","title":{"rendered":"How to treat poison ivy or oak"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Don’t like the look of that rash?<\/p>\n

Get care now<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Nothing can spoil a couple of weeks of your summer faster than a case of poison ivy or oak. The vined plants seem to pop up in both wooded and residential areas. However, some of the home remedies you find on the internet can make things worse.<\/p>\n

Ryan Riech, MD<\/a>, internal medicine and pediatric physician with OSF HealthCare<\/a>, recommends using caution with home remedies and avoiding the plants if possible.<\/p>\n

Treating a reaction<\/h2>\n

\"PoisonMany home remedies aren\u2019t proven to be effective, and some are even dangerous.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe reaction is usually a bothersome and irritating rash,\u201d Dr. Riech said. \u201cHowever, there are some people who have more severe reactions. In general, there are not great, proven treatments for poison ivy and oak skin reactions (dermatitis). This is why avoidance of the plant and oil is so important.\u201d<\/p>\n

For mild rashes that are not on the face or private areas, Dr. Riech recommends over-the-counter topical steroids like hydrocortisone<\/a> to treat the rash and help with the itching.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome other agents may help with comfort, such as calamine lotion,\u201d Dr. Riech said. \u201cOver-the-counter medications, such as diphenhydramine (brand names include Benadryl) are sometimes used. But for this type of allergic reaction, they are often ineffective and can cause other side effects.\u201d<\/p>\n

Generally, a physician should evaluate if the rash is:<\/h3>\n
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