Ask a Doctor: Is bleach helpful for poison ivy rash?

Medical doctor  with a stethoscope around his neck  holding
Medical doctor with a stethoscope around his neck holding
photo Kate Shuster, M.D.

Q: I get poison ivy pretty frequently. Several people told me to put bleach on the blisters to dry them out. Will this help?

A: Bleach is not a helpful treatment for poison ivy and may actually be harmful. Applying bleach to the skin may cause skin burns or an allergic reaction. Although your skin doesn't absorb chlorine, it's still possible for some to pass through. Too much chlorine in your bloodstream can be toxic.

Poison ivy does not spread from touching the rash or blisters. If you find new areas of rash, it is a delayed reaction to touching the plant. It can take up to 72 hours for the rash to appear. The rashes and blisters from poison ivy are an allergic reaction to an oil in the plant called urushiol.

If you believe you've come into contact with poison ivy, wash your skin with lukewarm soapy water. Also wash any clothing or surfaces that may have come into contact with the plant.

Hydrocortisone cream and calamine lotion can soothe the itching. Antihistamine pills can help quell the allergic reaction to the urushiol. Applying cool compresses to the affected areas can also alleviate the itching and discomfort.

If your symptoms are severe or the rash involves sensitive areas of skin, including the face and groin, you may need to visit your doctor for prescription treatment. If any additional symptoms develop, such as trouble breathing or swallowing, report immediately to the emergency room.

- Kate Shuster, M.D., Galen Dermatology; member, Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society

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