Poison ivy, oak, and sumac

Poison ivy, oak, and sumac plants (Toxicodendron species) often cause contact dermatitis due to soluble oleoresins (urushiols).

Contact can result in a severe, itchy dermatitis, which often persists for 10 to 15 days.

Prevention relies on recognition and avoidance of the plants, but many people are unaware of their appearance.

Immediate washing of the skin after inadvertent contact may prevent development of the allergic response.

First-line treatment is corticosteroids: topically for mild-to-moderate cases, and orally for severe reactions. Topical calcineurin inhibitors are an alternative option.

Poison ivy, oak, and sumac (Toxicodendron species) dermatitis is the prototypical allergic contact dermatitis of the northern US. It is caused by skin contact with soluble oleoresins (urushiols), resulting in severe acute dermatitis.[1]Rietschel RL, Fowler JF, Fisher AA. Contact dermatitis. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2001.[2]Guin JD, Beaman JH, Baer H. Toxic anacardiaceae. In: Avalos J, Maibach HI, eds. Dermatologic botany. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press; 1999.[3]Zug KA, Marks JG. Plants and Woods. In: Adams RM. Occupational skin disease. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders Company; 1999.[4]Dannaker C, Maibach HI. Poison ivy and oak dermatitis. In: Lovell CR. Plants and the skin. Oxford, UK: Blackwell Scientific Publications; 1993.[5]Rozas-Muñoz E, Lepoittevin JP, Pujol RM, et al. Allergic contact dermatitis to plants: understanding the chemistry will help our diagnostic approach. Actas Dermosifiliogr. 2012 Jul-Aug;103(6):456-77. https://www.actasdermo.org/en-allergic-contact-dermatitis-plants-understanding-articulo-S1578219012001989 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22217935?tool=bestpractice.com