Poison Ivy, Oak,
and Sumac injury
Alternative names:
ivy - poison;
oak - poison; poison ivy dermatitis; poison oak dermatitis;
poison sumac dermatitis; sumac - poison
Definition:
This is a form
of contact dermatitis
caused by an allergic reaction
to the oils of the poison
ivy, oak or sumac plant.
Considerations:
Contact with poison
ivy is one of the most frequent causes of skin
rash in children during the spring, summer and fall seasons.
The resins (urushiol) of these plants cause a reaction in
more than 50% of the population. Exposure to the smoke of
these burning plants can cause the same reaction.
Poison ivy can be found in every region of the United States
except the Southwest, Alaska and Hawaii. It appears as a weed
with three shiny green leaves and a red stem. The plant grows
in the form of a vine, often along river banks.
Poison oak is primarily
found on the west coast. It grows in the form of a shrub and
has three leaves similar to poison ivy.
Poison
sumac
grows abundantly along the Mississippi River, but is far less
common in other regions. It grows as a shrub. Each stem contains
seven to thirteen leaves arranged in pairs.
Common causes:
Dermatitis is caused
by a sensitivity to the resin of these plants. The rash
is spread by the oils touching various parts of the body.
It is not spread by the fluid of the blisters,
thus it is not contagious unless the oil remains on the skin
and is touched by another person.
Update Date: 10/08/99
Updated by: adam.com editorial
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