Poison ivy exposure symptoms The allergic reaction caused by poison ivy is known as contact dermatitis. It happens when your skin comes into contact with an irritant, such as urushiol. Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac are among the most common causes of contact dermatitis in the U.S.
See pictures of what a poison ivy rash looks like and find out how to treat it. Poison ivy causes millions of itchy rashes every year, yet many people can't identify the common plant. Learn what poison ivy looks like in every season.
Why does the rash from poison ivy, oak, or sumac spread? While it may look like the rash is spreading, what's most likely happening is that you're developing one or more new rashes. Poison ivy rash appears as red, itchy welts and blisters that can vary in severity depending on individual reactions. Poison ivy is notorious for causing uncomfortable rashes, and understanding what these rashes look like can help people identify and respond to them more effectively.
The rash is caused by an allergic reaction to urushiol, an oil found in the leaves, stems, and roots of poison. Poison ivy rash is caused by an allergic reaction to an oily resin called urushiol (u-ROO-she-ol). This oil is in the leaves, stems and roots of poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac.
Poison ivy, oak, and sumac contain a substance called urushiol, which causes an itchy rash on people who touch it. See pictures and images, learn treatment, symptoms, and prevention, and learn to identify these poisonous plants. Poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac are poisonous plants that can cause an itchy skin rash.
Learn how to identify them and treat your symptoms. A poison ivy rash is your body's allergic reaction to urushiol, the oily resin found in poison ivy, and its poison plant cousins. But what exactly does it look like, and how can you tell if that mysterious itch is from poison ivy or something else? Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac are allergenic plants with an oil called urushiol that typically causes an itchy, inflamed rash.