 | Allergy 7945 Poison Ivy Children with Poison Ivy or Poison Oak Children with Poison Ivy or Poison Oak htmJHEKidsIllnessPoison Poison ivy and poison oak are the names of two plants that cause an allergic reaction wherever they touch a person's skin. This reaction is called allergic contact dermatitis, and it causes an itchy rash with tiny blisters. 29318 InteliHealth 1998-10-01 f Medical Content 2000-10-01
Children with Poison Ivy or Poison Oak Poison ivy and poison oak are the names of two plants that cause an allergic reaction wherever they touch a person's skin. This reaction is called allergic contact dermatitis, and it causes an itchy rash with tiny blisters. The irritating chemical in poison ivy and poison oak is an oily substance that can rub off on a child's clothing and shoes. If a child touches poison ivy or poison oak, she can also transfer the irritating plant oil from her fingers to other parts of her body. In this way, poison ivy and poison oak oil can spread to a child's face and eyes, and even to her genitals if she doesn't wash her hands before using the restroom. Poison ivy and poison oak plants tend to grow in woods, uncultivated fields and vacant lots. Poison ivy is easy to spot because of its shiny heart-shaped leaves that grow in clusters of three. Poison oak also has leaves in clusters of three, but each leaf has rippled edges like an oak leaf. What to look for Poison ivy and poison oak cause an itchy rash with tiny blisters that can break and form crusts. The rash often appears in lines that exactly match where plant leaves brushed against the child's skin, usually on exposed areas of her body, like the arms, legs and face. Since the skin reaction is sometimes delayed, don't be surprised if the rash doesn't begin until a day or two after the child has touched the plant. If the rash is contaminated with skin bacteria, painful signs of a skin infection can also start (See: Impetigo ). Sensitivity varies between individuals and in the same individual over time. A history of skin allergies increases the probability of a reaction to poison ivy or oak. What to do If your child has touched poison ivy or poison oak, remove the oily plant substance by washing her skin with soap or with liquid dishwashing detergent. Next, wipe her skin briefly with rubbing alcohol, but avoid her eyes and genital area. Wash your child's clothing, too, and wipe down her shoes with soap or detergent. If your child already has a poison ivy rash, try soothing her skin with cool wet compresses four times a day. Moisten the compresses with either water or saline solution. Between compress applications, keep the rash clean and apply calamine lotion. For severe cases of poison ivy your doctor may recommend an antihistamine medication to relieve itching, and a corticosteroid cream or ointment to apply to the skin. If your child's rash involves her genitals or causes swelling around her eyes, your doctor may also prescribe steroid medicine to be taken by mouth for up to 2 weeks. Call your doctor if... Your child's rash affects her genitals or face, or causes swelling around her eyes. Also call your doctor if the rash involves large parts of your child's body, or if you can't control your child's itching with compresses and calamine. If your child develops a fever, or if her rash hurts, swells or oozes pus, it may be infected with bacteria. Check with your doctor as soon as possible.
Last updated October 01, 1998
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