Is this your symptom?
- A very itchy rash with blisters caused by contact with the poison ivy plant (or poison oak or sumac)
Symptoms of Poison Ivy
- Rash is shaped like streaks or lines.
- Red streaks with weeping blisters.
- Rash found on exposed body surfaces (such as the hands). Also, can be on areas touched by the hands. Areas that can be affected in this way are the face or genitals.
- Very itchy.
- Onset 1 or 2 days after exposure, such as you were in a forest or field.
Cause
- Caused by oil from poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac plants.
- The oil is found in the leaves, stems, berries and roots of the plant.
- Oil may be carried on pet's fur.
- The oil from the plant causes the skin to itch, turn red and blister.
When to Call for Poison Ivy - Oak - Sumac
Go to ER Now
Call Doctor or Seek Care Now
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Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours
Contact Doctor During Office Hours
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Self Care at Home
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Go to ER Now
- Trouble breathing or severe coughing after being near burning weeds
Call Doctor or Seek Care Now
- Fever and looks infected (spreading redness or pus)
- You feel weak or very sick
- You think you need to be seen, and the problem is urgent
Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours
- Looks infected (spreading redness or pus) and no fever
- Swelling is severe (such as eyes are swollen shut)
- Severe poison ivy reaction in the past
- Rash covers more than one fourth of the body
- Face, eyes, lips or genitals have a rash
- Severe itching keeps you from sleeping or working
- Big blisters or sores
- You think you need to be seen, but the problem is not urgent
Contact Doctor During Office Hours
- Rash lasts more than 3 weeks
- You have other questions or concerns
Self Care at Home
- Mild poison ivy, oak, or sumac rash
Care Advice for Stomach Pain
What You Should Know About Stomach Pain:
- Mild stomach pain can be caused by something simple. It could be from gas pains or eating too much.
- Sometimes, stomach pain signals the start of a viral infection. This will lead to vomiting or loose stools.
- Watching your child for 2 hours will help tell you the cause.
- Here is some care advice that should help.
Lie Down:
- Have your child lie down and rest until feeling better.
Clear Fluids:
- Offer clear fluids only (such as water, flat soft drinks or half-strength Gatorade).
- For mild pain, offer a regular diet.
Prepare for Vomiting:
- Keep a vomiting pan handy.
- Younger children often talk about stomach pain when they have nausea. Nausea is the sick stomach feeling that comes before they throw up.
Pass a Stool:
- Have your child sit on the toilet and try to pass a stool.
- This may help if the pain is from constipation or diarrhea.
- Note: for constipation, moving a warm wet cotton ball on the anus may help.
Do Not Give Medicines:
- Any drug (like ibuprofen) could upset the stomach and make the pain worse.
- Do not give any pain medicines or laxatives for stomach cramps.
- For fever higher than 102° F (39° C), acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) can be given.
What to Expect:
- With harmless causes, the pain is most often better or gone in 2 hours.
- With stomach flu, belly cramps may happen before each bout of vomiting or diarrhea. These cramps may come and go for a few days.
- With serious causes (such as appendicitis), the pain worsens and becomes constant.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Pain becomes severe
- Constant pain lasts more than 2 hours
- Mild pain that comes and goes lasts more than 24 hours
- You think your child needs to be seen
- Your child becomes worse
Extra Help - Worried Stomach:
- Help your child talk about events that trigger the stomach pain. Talk to your child about how to cope with these the next time around.
- Help your child worry less about things she can't control.
- To treat the pain, help your child get very relaxed. Lying down in a quiet place and taking slow deep breaths may help. Make the belly go up and down with each breath. Then try to relax all the muscles in the body. Think about something pleasant. Listening to audios that teach how to relax might also help.
- Make sure your child gets enough sleep.
- Make sure that your child doesn't miss any school because of stomach pains. Stressed children tend to want to stay home when the going gets rough.
- Caution: your child should see her doctor for an exam. Do this before concluding frequent stomach pains are from worrying too much.
