Poison ivy and its relatives pose a common threat to outdoor enthusiasts in the US. These plants contain an oily compound called urushiol, which affects 50-75% of American adults. When you come into contact with poison ivy, you can develop a rash that’s extremely itchy.
Symptoms can last for weeks, and the condition is no joke. The rashes affect 10-50 million people each year and lead to thousands of emergency department visits annually.
To prevent or minimize the rash, experts recommend avoiding contact with poison ivy in the first place. If you do get affected, washing the affected area immediately can help reduce symptoms.
Dr. Stacy Marshall, an emergency medicine physician at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, advises that these rashes are not a trivial matter. “They’re notoriously extremely itchy,” she said.
If you suspect you’ve touched poison ivy, acting quickly is key. Taking steps to prevent or minimize the rash can make all the difference in your recovery and reducing the discomfort associated with this common allergy.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/08/well/poison-ivy-rash-treatment.html