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is poison ivy contagious?

is it?

5 Answers

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  • 9 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    The rash itself, including the fluid that oozes from blisters, is not contagious. The only way you can give it to another person is if you still have the plant oil on your skin. Once it's washed off there shouldn't be any concerns. Take a shower using a grease-dissolving soap such as Dawn dish soap. Don't take a bath because the oil will float on top of the water and get all over you when you get out of the tub. Another very important thing is wash anything that may have come into contact with the plants such as clothing, shoes or pets. The interesting thing is almost no one reacts to urushiol (the chemical in poison ivy/oak/sumac that causes the allergic reaction) the first time they're exposed. The person has to be sensitized to it and it may take two or more exposures for the immune system to react to it. So even if you transferred some of the oil onto your baby it's very unlikely that he/she will have a reaction

    Source(s): in short, yes
  • Anonymous
    4 years ago

    Is Poison Ivy Contageous

  • 9 years ago

    In a way, yes. The chemicals from the plant can be transferred by touch e.g. if you have it on your clothes and then someone else puts on the clothes, they too will be affected. So everything has to be very carefully washed. But it's not bacteria.

  • 9 years ago

    yes poison ivy is contagious.... you can give others this rash or even if u have it on your wrist and you touch your leg, it can get on your leg. HOPE I HELPED! you can get over the counter cream or gel for the poison ivy, but if it gets outrageous, see your doctor!

    Source(s): i've had poison ivy MANY times
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  • Anonymous
    9 years ago

    Definetely. Make sure to get a cream to stop the itching and heal the rash.

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