What's the Best Way to Treat a Poison Ivy Rash?

If a rash appears, try an oatmeal bath, cool compresses, calamine lotion, or an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream to relieve the itch. Scratching the affected skin won’t spread the rash, but try not to; it can lead to further irritation or infection. The rash typically lasts two to three weeks. If home treatments aren’t helping, ask your doctor about the possibility of a prescription-strength topical steroid cream.

To help avoid a brush with urushiol in the future, learn what these plants look like. Poison ivy and poison oak are vines or bushes with leaves grouped in threes. They may have yellow or green flowers and white, yellowish-green, or amber berries. Poison sumac is a woody shrub with leaves grouped in sets of seven to 13 and arranged in pairs. It may have pale-yellow or cream-colored berries.

Urushiol can also hitchhike on gardening tools and gloves, clothing, shoes—even your pet’s fur—and then be transmitted to you by touch. So regularly wash these with soapy water or wipe nonwashable items with rubbing alcohol.