Treatment consists of two phases: stopping the<unk><unk>  that is causing the reaction (this must be done within minutes) and, later, reducing the pain and itching. Primary treatment involves washing exposed skin thoroughly with soap, cool water, and friction as soon as possible after exposure is discovered. Soap or detergent is necessary because<unk>  is an oil; friction, with a washcloth or something similar, is necessary because<unk>  adheres strongly to the skin.Commercial removal preparations, which are available in areas where poison ivy grows, usually contain surfactants, such as the nonionic detergent Triton X-100, to solubilize<unk> ; some products also contain abrasives. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends applying a wet compress or soaking the affected area in cool water; topical corticosteroids (available over-the-counter) or oral corticosteroids (available by prescription); and topical skin protectants, such as zinc acetate, zinc carbonate, zinc oxide, and calamine. Baking soda or colloidal oatmeal can relieve minor irritation and itching. Aluminium triacetate, sometimes known as Burow's solution, can also ease the rash. Showers or compresses using hot (but not scalding) water can relieve itching for up to several hours, though this "also taxes the skin's integrity, opening pores and generally making it more vulnerable", and is only useful for secondary treatment (not for cleaning<unk>  from the skin, which should be done with cold water). People who have had a prior systemic reaction may be able to prevent subsequent exposure from turning systemic by avoiding heat and excitation of the circulatory system and applying moderate cold to any infected skin with biting pain. In cases of extreme symptoms, steroids such as prednisone, triamcinolone, or dexamethasone are sometimes administered to attenuate the immune response and prevent long-term skin damage, especially if the eyes are involved. Prednisone is the most commonly prescribed systemic treatment but can cause serious adrenal suppression, so it must be taken carefully and tapered off slowly. If bacterial secondary infection of affected areas occurs, antibiotics may also be necessary. Scrubbing with plain soap and cold water will remove<unk>  from skin if it is done within a few minutes of exposure. Further observations * Ordinary laundering with laundry detergent will remove<unk>  from most clothing. *<unk>  may adhere to pet fur. *<unk>  oil left on clothing and surfaces can be deactivated using bleach. * The fluid from the resulting blisters does not spread<unk>  to others. * Blisters should be left unbroken during healing. * Poison ivy and poison oak are still harmful when the leaves have fallen off, as the toxic residue is persistent, and exposure to any parts of plants containing<unk>  can cause a rash at any time of the year. * Ice, cold water, cooling lotions, and cold air do not help cure poison ivy rashes, but cooling can reduce inflammation and soothe the itch. * Results for jewelweed as a natural agent for treatment are conflicting. Some studies indicate that it "failed to decrease symptoms of poison ivy dermatitis" 1980 and had "no prophylactic effect" 1997. The juice of the leaves and stems of Impatiens capensis is a traditional Native American remedy for skin rashes, including poison ivy.
Urushiol-induced contact dermatitis
Phototoxic tar dermatitis
Allergic contact dermatitis
Blister beetle dermatitis
Autosensitization dermatitis
Rodent mite dermatitis
Contact dermatitis
Irritant contact dermatitis