Preventing Poison Ivy From Becoming a Major Problem: USA Today
In “How to spot poison ivy – before it becomes a problem” – USA Today quotes Dr. Michele Green, as she takes people through key identification and treatment points.
“In most cases, you can treat mild poison ivy rashes at home with soothing lotions and cool baths,” Dr. Green says. “Over-the-counter options include calamine lotion, which can calm the skin and dry out the rash, and hydrocortisone cream, which helps reduce inflammation and itching.” And if you do get a rash it will take 2-3 weeks to clear in most occasions, however treatment is recommended and seeing a board-certified dermatologist to get a prescription treatment is preferred.
It’s not only touching poison ivy itself that can trigger a rash; exposure through clothes, objects, or pets that carried the oil can cause it too. The FDA recommends thoroughly cleaning all affected surfaces using soap and water or rubbing alcohol. However, it is not directly contagious and can’t spread person to person, as the rash comes from an oil called urushiol in the plant. Learn more and read her full interview at https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2025/09/18/what-does-poison-ivy-look-like/86113712007/