Summer camps like Camp Webb are all fun and games until your child runs into some poison ivy! Dealing with a poison ivy rash, as many of us are aware, is uncomfortable and highly irritating.
When your child comes home from camp, is there a way to treat the rash, or is visiting our AFC center the only way to deal with it? Our AFC Urgent Care Chapman Highway team has some answers, so keep reading!
Why Does Poison Ivy Cause a Rash?
Poison ivy has oil called urushiol, which causes an allergic skin reaction. The oil is easily wiped from the plants to other objects, such as clothes, toys and pets. Also, smoke from the plant can contain the oil.
If you or your child is experiencing any of the symptoms we’ve listed below, you or your child has likely encountered some poison ivy.
Common Poison Ivy Symptoms
- Small bumps that quickly turn into blisters where the plant oil touched the skin
- Severe itching
- Redness and swelling
- Blisters that break, ooze fluid and crust over. The fluid in the blisters doesn’t spread the rash.
Can a Poison Ivy Rash Become Serious?
It’s rare. Most cases of poison ivy can be treated at home. In fact, if poison ivy is left totally untreated, it will usually go away on its own in two to three weeks.
Although serious poison ivy complications are rare, they can happen. Poison ivy rashes can become infected, which would require prescribed antibiotics to get rid of the rash. If your child experiences the symptoms we’ve listed below, visit our AFC center or call your doctor ASAP to avoid any further medical complications.
When to Seek Medical Care for Poison Ivy Rash
- Your child has shortness of breath
- Your child has trouble swallowing
- The rash is on your child’s face or genitals
- The areas with the rash are swelling
- The rash covers a large area of your child’s body
- Your child inhaled smoke from a burning poison ivy plant
No one wants to see their children deal with poison ivy! Visit our AFC Urgent Care Chapman Highwaycenter today if your child needs relief from poison ivy or needs any other general medical care.
