Poison ivy, oak, and sumac: How to treat the rash

How to treat yourself at home

You can treat yourself at home if you:

• Have a mild rash

• Developed a rash on a small section of skin

• Are certain that the rash is due to poison ivy, oak, or sumac

Dermatologists emphasize that you only treat the rash if you’re absolutely certain that poison ivy, oak, or sumac caused it.

To treat a mild rash and help stop the itch, dermatologists recommend the following:

1. Immediately wash your skin with warm, soapy water, rubbing alcohol, or dish soap (formulated for washing dishes by hand). If you do this immediately after touching the plant, you may be able to wash off some of the oil and help prevent spreading it to other areas or other people.

2. Put on gloves, remove your clothing, and place all clothing in a washing machine. You want to thoroughly wash all clothes you were wearing when you came into contact with the plant. Wearing gloves is essential. The oil can stick to clothing, and if it touches your skin, it can cause an additional rash.

3. While wearing gloves, wash everything that may have the oil on its surface. Besides clothing, the oil from poison ivy, oak, and sumac can stick to many surfaces, including gardening tools, golf clubs, leashes, and even a pet’s fur. Be sure to rinse your pet’s fur, and wash tools and other objects with warm, soapy water.

   Caution

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   To avoid getting any oil from the plant on your skin, wear gloves while touching or washing anything that may have oil on it. This includes your pet. If you need to wash your pet, wear gloves.

4. Do not scratch the itchy rash. Scratching can cause an infection.

5. Leave blisters alone. If blisters open, do not remove the overlying skin. This skin protects the raw wound underneath and prevents infection.

How to relieve the itch due to poison ivy, oak, or sumac

Try one or more of the following to relieve the itch:

• Apply cool compresses to the itchy skin. You can make a cool compress by wetting a clean washcloth with cold water and wringing it out so that it does not drip. Then, apply the cool cloth to the itchy skin.

• Use calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream. Calamine lotion can reduce the itch. If you have a mild case, a hydrocortisone cream or lotion is another treatment that can alleviate the itch.

• Take short, warm baths or cool showers. You can ease the itch with short, warm baths by adding one of the following to the water:

  • Colloidal oatmeal (available at most drugstores)

  • 1 cup of baking soda (add to the running water)
    
    Taking short, cool showers may also help.

• Consider taking antihistamine pills. These pills can help reduce itching. You’ll also find antihistamines that you can apply to your skin. You should not apply an antihistamine to your skin, as doing so can worsen the rash and the itch.

When to see a dermatologist about a rash from poison ivy, oak, or sumac

It’s time to partner with a board-certified dermatologist if your rash:

• Appears on multiple areas of your skin

• Is severe (blisters, swelling, and intense itching)

• May be infected (redness, pain, pus, or draining)

• Might be caused by poison ivy, oak, or sumac, but you’re unsure

• Is one that you’ve never had before (i.e., your first time getting a rash from one of these plants)

Your dermatologist can treat your rash and any infection. They can also help relieve the itch.

Find a dermatologist

Written by:
Paula Ludmann, MS

Reviewed by:
Jennifer Adams, MD, FAAD
Esteban Fernandez Faith, MD, FAAD
William Warren Kwan, MD, FAAD
Michael K. O'Donoghue, MD, FAAD
Desmond Shipp, MD, FAAD

Last updated: 4/28/26