English Transcript
Allergist Marcella Aquino, MD: Not everyone is allergic, but I will say that most people are allergic. So, it’s estimated that about 75% to 85% of people are allergic to poison ivy. And it will present usually with a blistering type rash. You get it through contact with the oil of the plant and it can come from direct contact with the plant oil itself or indirect from some indirect exposure through clothing, tools, pet dander if your animal has been in the wooded areas and also it can aerosolize if the leaves are burnt.
The way we treat poison ivy can depend on how widespread it is. You can treat with topical steroids to the area and antihistamines for itch. However, if it’s very widespread, sometimes a patient may need to take an oral steroid by mouth like a prednisone.
See other videos
Resource Type: Video | Allergy, Skin Allergies
