Poison ivy, oak, and sumac

Prevention includes avoidance of exposure and removal of allergen before it penetrates the skin. Avoidance requires recognition of the various subspecies of poison ivy, oak, and sumac. There are a number of poison ivy pamphlets and information sheets available to help with recognition. American Academy of Dermatology: poison ivy, oak, and sumac Opens in new window US Department of Agriculture: PLANTS database (search for: toxicodendron) Opens in new window CDC National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health: poisonous plants Opens in new window 

Wearing suitable clothes outdoors is important to protect the skin from exposure; long-sleeve shirts, pants, boots, and vinyl gloves are recommended (urushiols can penetrate rubber or latex). CDC National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health: poisonous plants Opens in new window Barrier skin creams containing bentoquatam may offer some protection to people who come into contact with poison ivy, oak, or sumac.[17]Scott MJ, Heumann MA, DeBruyckere DM, et al. The feasibility of using skin protectant products and education to prevent poison oak. Wilderness Environ Med. 2002 Fall;13(3):206-8. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12353598?tool=bestpractice.com CDC National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health: poisonous plants Opens in new window

If the plants need to be handled, vinyl gloves should be worn as urushiols can penetrate rubber or latex.[1]Rietschel RL, Fowler JF, Fisher AA. Contact dermatitis. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2001.[2]Guin JD, Beaman JH, Baer H. Toxic anacardiaceae. In: Avalos J, Maibach HI, eds. Dermatologic botany. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press; 1999. Care must be taken to wash all contaminated clothing and equipment while avoiding skin contact.

Allergic respiratory problems have been reported with inhalation of smoke from burning poison ivy, oak, and sumac; the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommends against burning plants that may be poison ivy, oak, or sumac. CDC National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health: poisonous plants Opens in new window

Further exposure should be avoided using measures for primary prevention. In addition, any exposed clothing should be washed in a washing machine with detergent and contamination of furniture and rugs should be avoided. All camping, sporting, and fishing equipment that may have been in contact with the plant should be washed. Urushiols can remain active for many months or years on clothing and other equipment.

Data suggest that oral exposure to various urushiol-containing plants or foods in certain populations may lead to immunologic tolerance, thus preventing or reducing development of urushiol sensitization. However, the evidence is weak and requires confirmation.[40]An N, Pourzal S, Luccioli S, et al. Effects of diet on skin sensitization by nickel, poison ivy, and sesquiterpene lactones. Food Chem Toxicol. 2020 Mar;137:111137. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31982450?tool=bestpractice.com