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What Are the Symptoms?

The symptoms of poison ivy are:

• Patches of red, itchy skin, usually followed by small blisters, which fill with a clear fluid and eventually break open.
• Severe cases can develop into swollen, extremely painful areas filled with fluid.
• The rash rarely appears on the soles of the feet or palms of the hand.

Call Your Doctor If:

• Your rash stays red and itchy for more than two weeks; you may have another type of contact dermatitis or eczema.
• You have the rash near your eyes or the rash covers a large part of your body. You may need medical intervention.
• You have severe allergic complications, such as generalized swelling, headache, fever, or a secondary infection.
• You have been exposed to the smoke from burning poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac. The toxin is not killed by fire and can cause severe allergic reactions.