Poison Ivy and Poison Oak...?

We just discovered that my 7 year old daughter may have poison ivy or poison oak . Is it contagous to others ? Can she still go to school?

Poison Ivy and Poison Oak...?
Wow, some of these people are really wrong. No, Poison ivy and Oak rashes are NOT contagious to others. Other people in the family may get the rash if they have touched the clothes or upholstery that had the plant oils on it though.



If it is really from one of these plants, she will probably be too uncomfortable and itchy to go to school- don't just take her to the pediatrician, take her to a dermatologist if you can. They will decide whether her rash is from a plant or bug bites, also they will have the correct treatment, such as possibly a cortisone shot and some high-strength cortisone cream. I have seen regular doctors treat the rash with their best guess, which is often wrong. I'd go to the skin specialist before it gets worse. If she scratches at it, it could become infected also.

Soap and water will not work to remove the plant oils from items unless it is Fels-Naptha Laundry soap- this is in a bar-soap form and contains a solvent which breaks down the oils. Wash her things separately on hot in the wash machine with the Fels Naptha.

Dont worry, you can still hug her. Her weepy rash can't affect you. She has not suddenly become toxic.
Reply:Poison ivy(oak) isn't a disease but it CAN be transmitted to others. It is an oil that comes from the plant and causes the skin to react. If you don't clean off all of the oil then she can share the oil with others.

All you need to do to be safe is wash the area REALLY good with soap and water. We used dishsoap when I was dealing with poison oak.



After the oil is gone for sure, send her to school with a note explaining that her rash is poison oak or ivy.
Reply:Usually not contagious to others. She got it from the oil of the plant. The only way someone could possibly get it is if they got some of her rashy fluid on an open sore %26amp; then that is highly unlikely. Be sure it does not become infected. The doctor can give her something that will help a lot.

Believe me - I have had it several horrible times!
Reply:the oils from the plant may spread try not to rub it she should still go to school just cover it up.You can buy cream from your local store to help also