Outdoor Itch Resource Center
Welcome to the outdoor itch resource center! Our goal is to help you stay itch and pain-free. We offer guides and how-to's to help you understand and avoid poison ivy and oak.
- Common Misconceptions About Treating Poison Ivy Rash
- How Does Poison Ivy Spread?
- How Does Poison Ivy Work?
- How old is my Tecnu
- How to Identify Poison Ivy
- How to Identify Poison Oak
- How to Identify Poison Sumac
- How to Use Tecnu Original Outdoor Skin Cleanser on Pets, Clothing, Tools, Equipment and More
- Tecnu Original versus Tecnu Extreme
- What is Contact Dermatitis?
- Where Do I Find Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac Plants?
- Which Tecnu Do I Use?
- Am I Immune To Poison Ivy?
- Are Dead Poison Ivy Plants Safe To Touch?
- Can I Get A Rash From Burning Poison Ivy?
- Can I Get Poison Ivy From My Dog?
- Can I Get Poison Ivy Rash From Someone Else?
- Do Blisters Cause Poison Ivy Rash To Spread?
- Does Bleach Help Poison Ivy Rash?
- How Do I Stop Itching From Poison Ivy And Oak?
- How Do You Cure Poison Ivy Fast?
- How Long Will Poison Ivy Rash Last?
- Should I Break The Blisters From Poison Ivy Rash?
- Should I Clean Poison Ivy From Clothing And Tools?
- Should I Wrap Or Cover Poison Ivy Rash?
- What Causes Poison Ivy Rash?
- What Does A Poison Ivy Rash Look Like?
- How to use Calagel
- How to use Tecnu Extreme
- How to use Tecnu Original
- How to use Tecnu Original Cleanser to Remove Poison Ivy and Oak Oil from Your Clothing
- How to use Tecnu Original Cleanser to Remove Poison Ivy and Oak Oil from Your Pet’s Fur
- How to use Tecnu Original Cleanser to Remove Poison Ivy and Oak Oil from your Skin
- How to use Tecnu Original Cleanser to Remove Poison Ivy and Oak Oil from your Tools
- How to use Tecnu Original Cleanser to Remove Skunk Oil from Your Pet's Fur
How Do You Cure Poison Ivy Fast?
Unfortunately, there is no “cure” for poison ivy or oak rash, and the healing process can be slow and frustrating. Your skin’s reaction to poison ivy plants (or, poison oak, poison sumac) is called contact dermatitis. This condition can cause itching, redness, swelling, and even blisters. Because there isn’t a cure for poison ivy rash, it’s a matter of treating the symptoms and letting the rash run its course.
First Signs of a Rash
After exposure to the rash-causing resin (urushiol) found in poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac plants, a rash can start to form within 24-48 hours. For those who are extremely sensitive to the resin, a rash can start within just a few hours. Aside from the symptoms listed above, in some instances, a poison ivy sufferer will notice what appear to be small scratches at the start of a breakout. These are often confused with a simple “trail scrape” from a non-poisonous brush but are actually the start of a poison ivy rash.
How to Treat
First, and most importantly, the urushiol needs to be removed from the skin as soon as possible using a cleanser such as Tecnu Original Outdoor Skin Cleanser. If a rash begins to develop, use an anti-itch treatment such as Tecnu Rash Relief Spray. If you experience little to no improvement after 10-14 days, contact your doctor for appropriate treatment. Cases that last 2 weeks or longer can occasionally require injectable or topical steroids prescribed by a healthcare professional.
How to Prevent
The best defense against poison ivy rash is to familiarize yourself with the plants and what they look like, that way you’ll be able to avoid contact with them. Additionally, wearing long pants and sleeves whenever possible is best, as covering exposed skin can reduce your risk of a breakout. Last, using a cleanser specifically designed to remove urushiol such as Tecnu Detox Wipes or Tecnu Extreme, can help remove the resin before it bonds with the skin to form a rash; time is of the essence, wash within 8 hours for best results.
Updated on 12 Feb 2025
- Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
- Opens in a new window.