Surprising to many, the liquid that oozes from the blisters of a poison ivy rash does not spread the oil. Typically, urushiol is absorbed within the first 8 hours after exposure, although this can vary. If the oil is not properly removed, urushiol can continue to spread to other areas of the body.
WHY IS MY POISON IVY RASH SPREADING SKIN
Urushiol can be absorbed at a slower rate than areas of the body where the skin is thinner. Because some areas of the body have thicker skin than others, rashes in areas with thicker skin may not appear right away. This leads many to believe that the rash is "spreading." But, this may be due to absorption. Often, after coming into contact with urushiol oil, new spots will appear a day or two (or, more) later. The next time you come into contact with one of these items, you could develop a rash. Urushiol can last on inanimate objects for a period of months, even years, as it does not evaporate. The second way to come into contact with urushiol is through secondary contamination, or indirect contact. Often times, a person comes into contact with them, and doesn't even know it. These noxious plants grow as bushes, ground cover, and creeping vines. Poison ivy plants and poison oak plants can be hard to identify as they can grow in several forms. The first, direct contact with any part of the plant. That is less than one grain of table salt! Contact with urushiolĬontact with urushiol can happen in two ways. According to the National Institute of Occupational Health & Safety, 50 micrograms of urushiol is enough to cause a rash in 80-90% of adults. It exists in all parts of poison ivy, oak, and sumac plants.Īpproximately 85% of the population experiences an allergic reaction to these noxious plants. So what causes poison ivy, oak and sumac rash? A highly concentrated, invisible oil called, urushiol.