Some many conditions and problems could lead to itchy skin; however, if you’ve been exposed to poison ivy, sumac, or oak you must be able to recognize the symptoms. It’s possible that you came into contact with poison ivy or any of these plants while on your typical walk or you may not even realize that the plants are hanging in your garden. If you do come into contact with poison ivy, sumac and oak here are what you should know.

• Take cool, oatmeal baths to alleviate inflammation and itching
• Apply calamine lotions to the skin to temporarily alleviate itching
• Steroid creams (aka: cortisone cream) may also alleviate redness and inflammation
• Apply cold compresses to the area when symptoms flare-up
• Whatever you do, do not scratch your rash (this can lead to an infection)

• Pus develops on the rash
• You also have a fever over 100 F
• You experience severe itching
• The rash keeps spreading
• You aren’t sure whether the rash is caused by poison ivy, oak, or sumac
• The rash spreads to the mouth or the eyes
• Symptoms don’t improve within a week

Rashes will happen to most people at some point during their lifetime, whether it’s from coming in contact with poison ivy while on a camping trip or from an allergic reaction to a skincare product. While most rashes aren’t anything to worry about, we know that the other symptoms that accompany them—redness, itching and burning—can be annoying. Find out the most common causes for rashes and when your rash requires an evaluation from a dermatologist.

What causes a rash?

There are a variety of reasons rashes develop. Your rash could be caused by:

• Eczema
• Contact dermatitis
• Psoriasis
• Hives
• Certain medications
• Heat rash
• Viral infections
• Asthma or allergies
• Bug bite
• Poison ivy, oak and sumac

When do you seek medical attention?

Most rashes will go away on their own and won’t require medical attention; however, while all rashes might look the same it’s also important to be able to recognize when a rash is serious enough that it needs to be evaluated by a skin doctor. Since there are so many different things that can cause a rash it’s important to have a proper diagnosis so you know exactly how to treat it.

You should have a rash checked out if:

• It’s all over your body
• It’s accompanied by a fever
• It’s painful
• It’s showing signs of an infection (oozing; warm to the touch; swelling)
• It’s blistering
• It appears suddenly and continues to spread quickly

How do you treat a rash?

The treatment plan your dermatologist creates for you will really depend on the cause of your rash. Sometimes over-the-counter creams such as hydrocortisone or calamine lotion can help manage itching and other symptoms until the rash goes away. Oatmeal baths can also be soothing for rashes caused by poison ivy or poison oak. While the rash heals, avoid using any products on your skin that contain fragrances or harsh chemicals. Try not to cover the rash, as it needs to be able to breathe.

If you do have to come in for an evaluation, we will provide you with the proper medication or treatment necessary to get rid of the root cause of the rash. It’s important that you follow the treatment as prescribed in order to effectively get rid of the rash.