Poison ivy, oak, and sumac

Home treatment:

Wash the area immediately with strong soap. Application of an antihistamine cream or steroid cream may help with the itching or taking an antihistamine, especially Benadryl may relieve some of the itching.

Before calling emergency:

Determine the following information:

• the patient's age, weight, and condition
• the name of the plant
• the amount swallowed (if swallowed)

Poison Control, or a local emergency number:

They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Unless the reaction is severe the individual will probably not end up needing to visit the emergency room

What to expect at the emergency room:

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:
If the patient goes into the emergency room:

• cleanse the affected areas
• apply an antihistamine or steroid cream
• may give oral antihistamine and/or steroid

Expectations (prognosis):

The prognosis (probable outcome)
Fatalities are very uncommon. At worst the individual will be very uncomfortable for a while. A secondary skin infection may develop if the exposed areas are not kept clean.