Does poison ivy spread by scratching the rash? Can it spread from person to person?

Question

I have been told that it cannot spread to another person, but I have also been told that it can spread by scratching it.

Answer 1

• The best way to avoid getting a rash from poison ivy, oak or sumac is to stay away from the plants. You can't get a rash from just standing near a patch of poison ivy ­ the urushiol oil in the plants, which causes the rash, can only transfer to your skin by direct contact.

• However, your pet can run through a patch of poison ivy, oak or sumac and get the urushiol on its fur. Then when the animal jumps up on you, or you pet it the urushiol can transfer to your skin. Dogs seem to be immune to the oil, but many a dog lover has developed a serious rash from the oil on his pet's fur.

• Avoid burning poison ivy, oak or sumac. Poison ivy vines often grow around trees and can be easily overlooked and tossed into a campfire. The smoke can carry the urushiol oil into your respiratory system causing serious allergic reactions inside your nose, throat and lungs. If you believe you have inhaled smoke from burning poison ivy, see a doctor immediately, the allergic reaction can be very serious.

• If you are going to be hiking in a wooded area where these plants live, wear protective clothing ­ long-sleeved shirts, long pants tucked into your socks or boots and cloth or leather gloves. There are some barrier creams that have been shown to help prevent the oil from getting on your skin.

• If you get the oil on your skin, wash as soon as possible with lots and lots of cool water. The sooner you wash, and the more water you use, the less likely you will be of getting a rash.

• Although a number of studies have been done on treating the rashes, no one has proven that any home remedies really work. The most common suggestions are to apply calamine lotion to the rash or rub the rash with an ice cube. These remedies may or may not work, but they probably won't cause any harm.

• If the rash covers more than 20 percent of your body, or develops in sensitive areas like the eyes, mouth or genitals, see a doctor immediately. Physicians can prescribe steroids in either cream form or by injections that may decrease the allergic reaction. Extremely sensitive people may need to be hospitalized.

Excerpted from Woodall's Monthly Regional RV/Camping Publications.

Answer 2

I am something of the poison ivy king. I used to get it all the time for a while there and each time it was worse because I had become sensitised. Even had it around my eyes and just about everywhere else. Yes, there too. Terrible stuff.

You can get it from someone burning its leaves, you can get it from clothing, shoes and someone's bedding (sheets, blankets, pillow cases). So yes! It can be spread person to person.

Spread by scratching.. Sure. Also, scratching it make it take longer to heal.

No, if your poison ivy spreads or seems to spread in straight lines (you'll know it when you see it), or it seems to be mostly between your fingers, then you may have something else like scabbies.

Answer 3

How Does Poison Ivy Spread

Answer 4

I was at the doctors the other day for poison ivy and was told that it can not spread from scratching but it is the oils of the plant that are in the clothing, or on bedsheets if you did not shower after being exposed that makes it appear it is spreading. If you have poison ivy change your bed linens, wash the clothes you were wearing, bathe any pets that may have been exposed.

Answer 5

Yes it spreads when you scratch. The "poison" binds to your skin.

From: Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac Information Center FAQs
(Third Choice on the Left)
"Rhus plants(poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac) are the most common cause of allergic contact dermatitis in the US. Rhus plans contain the potent antigen urushiol, which will sensitize 60% to 80% of the persons who are exposed to it. ...(It) may be carried on the fur of pets, clothing, shoes, toys, tools, or other objects and then transferred to the skin. Approximately 24 to 36 hrs after a sensitized person is exposed to the urushiol, a blistery, itching rash develops. Usually within 15 minutes of contact, the urushiol binds to skin proteins. If it is washed off with soap and water before that time, a reaction may be prevented. After the antigen is fixed, however, it cannot be washed off or transferred to other areas. Scratching or oozing blister fluid cannot spread the antigen to other areas of the body or to other persons. New lesions that appear a few days after the primary lesions represent less sensitive areas or areas where less antigen was deposited, not spreading of the antigen. Because the course of the reaction usually is 12 to 15 days, 2 weeks of medication should be prescribed. Reference [Dermatology in Primary Care 1994]

Answer 6

This is technically "no", but effectively sort of "yes"

The thing that causes the reaction (rash, etc.) from poison ivy/poison oak is the urushiol oil from the plant.
This binds very strongly to skin oils, which can then be transferred from person to person - or to other parts of your own body.

The rash itself is not contagious, but if you haven't cleaned away all the plant oils, scratching that area and then touching elsewhere or someone else can cause it to spread.

Answer 7

Poison ivy, oak, or sumac poisoning is an allergic reaction from contact with the sap of plants such as poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac. Contact may be indirect, such as petting an animal that came in contact with the plant. The sap can also contaminate clothing, garden tools, and sports equipment such as fishing rods or golf clubs. Small amounts of sap can remain under a person's fingernails for several days unless it is deliberately removed by meticulous cleaning. The droplets of sap can even be found in the ashes of burned plants. Wash the area immediately with soap and water. Prompt washing can prevent a reaction, but is of little help more than 1 hour after exposure. Isolate and carefully wash any contaminated objects or clothing in hot soapy water. An antihistamine cream or steroid cream may help with the itching. An oral antihistamine, such as Benadryl, may relieve some of the itching. yes it can spread from person to person.

Answer 8

Yes. When you get poison Ivy, it's VERY important not to scratch!!! If you scratch let's say your leg then your eye, not a good situation to be in. The best remedy to prevent scratching is to put something like a cream or lotion on it. I personally like to put baby powder on it b/c it tends to cover up the rash a bit and medicate it as well. It also helps with the oozing.

Answer 9

yes it goes from person to person, because when you scratch a place on your body, the oil ( which is what makes you itch ) gets on your hands and then it can be transferred. I've had poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac all at the same time. my eyes were swollen shut! not that you needed to know that, but it can get ugly, so get some calamine lotion, and if you need to itch, even though you shouldn't...get a plastic fork, or something you can throw away and lightly itch it just to pass the itchy feeling. Don't use your nails or anything really sharp because you'll leave scars.

Answer 10

Poison Ivy can spread from scratching and touching another part of your body, as well as person to person through touch depending on the other person's aversion to it.