What are the symptoms of poison ivy, oak and sumac?
The symptoms of poison ivy, oak or sumac usually include the following: • an itchy red spotty rash • red itchy blotches • blisters that may appear in a linear pattern The first symptoms may occur as early as eight hours or as late as a week after contact with the oil. The difference in time depends on the teen’s susceptibility to the oil, the amount of exposure, the season and the part of the body that is exposed. For example, oil exposure to the face may cause symptoms much sooner than exposure to the palms since the facial skin is more sensitive and thinner compared to the thicker skin of the palms. This explains why new areas of activity may occur for several days after the initial outbreak. New areas of activity are not due to spread of blister fluid from one body area to another. How are poison ivy, oak and sumac evaluated? The diagnosis can be readily established by a review of the adolescent’s symptoms and a good physical examination. The linear eruption is highly characteristic
