Who is affected by poison ivy, oak, or sumac rash?
Poison ivy, oak, and sumac are plants that can cause a
skin rash called allergic
contact dermatitis. The rash is caused by the oil (urushiol) found in these
plants. Urushiol is an
allergen, so the rash is actually an
allergic reaction to the oil in poison ivy, oak, or
sumac.
Who is likely to be sensitive to poison ivy, oak, or sumac?
- People who are highly allergic to other allergens
(such as pollen, animal fur, or dust mites) are somewhat less likely to be
allergic to poison ivy, oak, or sumac.
- Young people ages 8 to 14
are more likely to be allergic to the plants. Infants and young children up to
about age 5 are not as likely to be allergic.1
- If you reach adulthood having had no contact at
all with urushiol, you have a significantly lower risk of becoming allergic to
the plants.
- It is never safe to assume you are tolerant to poison
ivy, oak, or sumac, because your sensitivity to the plants can change at any
time. You may become allergic, or you may have a more severe or less severe reaction to
the plants.
Citations
- Gladman AC (2006). Toxicodendron dermatitis: Poison ivy, oak, and sumac.
Wilderness and Environmental Medicine, 17(2):
120–128.
| By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine |
|---|
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine |
|---|
| Last Revised | October 22, 2009 |
|---|
Last Revised:
October 22, 2009
Gladman AC (2006). Toxicodendron dermatitis: Poison ivy, oak, and sumac.
Wilderness and Environmental Medicine, 17(2):
120–128.
