What Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac Rashes Look Like in Pictures — and How to Treat Them

A trip outdoors — hiking, camping, or just gardening — can take a turn if you unknowingly brush up against poison ivy, oak, or sumac. These plants don’t need to be deep in the forest to cause trouble. In fact, they often lurk in plain sight.

Each one contains urushiol, an oily substance that triggers an allergic skin reaction in most people. Just a brief touch is enough to cause a red, itchy rash that may not appear until days later. So, what does poison ivy rash look like — and how can you tell it apart from other irritating rashes?

Here’s how to spot the early signs of a rash from poison ivy, oak, or sumac — with photos to help you identify it. And we’ll also cover how to treat the rash if it shows up.

What does a poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac rash look like?

It’s not always easy to recognize a rash from poison ivy, oak, or sumac. And it’s even harder — because the rash doesn’t show up right away. After contact with one of these plants, it usually takes at least 4 hours for a rash to appear. But in some cases, it can take 2 to 3 days before symptoms develop.

When the rash does show up, it may start as mild redness or itching. Then it can progress to swelling, streaks, or even fluid-filled blisters. The severity often depends on how much urushiol oil you were exposed to and how sensitive your skin is.

Poison ivy rash pictures 

So, what does a poison ivy rash look like? Rashes from poison ivy, oak, and sumac all look similar. And whichever plant causes them, the rash can range from mild streaks to widespread blistering rashes.

These photos show some of the most common appearances of a poison ivy rash.

An early poison ivy rash on the face with a faint pink linear rash.

Rash from poison ivy, oak, or sumac on the face can form violet streaks and patches.

Full-blown poison ivy, oak, or sumac rash with fluid-filled blisters.

A widespread poison ivy, oak, or sumac rash with red streaks and blisters.

Symptoms and stages of a poison ivy, oak, or sumac rash

A rash from poison ivy, oak, or sumac can be mildly irritating or downright miserable. It depends on how much urushiol your skin was exposed to and how your body reacts. But no matter the plant, the symptoms tend to follow the same pattern.

Stage 1: Itching begins 

Before you see anything, you’ll likely feel it. Intense itching is often the first sign and can start hours before the rash appears.

Stage 2: Rash takes shape 

Raised bumps or blisters filled with clear fluid begin to form. These are typically red, violet, or brown, depending on your skin tone. 

The rash often shows up in streaks or lines. It marks the path where the plant brushed your skin, commonly on exposed areas like arms and legs. 

In some cases, tiny black dots may appear. These come from urushiol reacting with oxygen on the skin's surface.

Stage 3: Crusting and healing 

As the rash begins to dry out, blisters may ooze, scab over, and form a crust. This is a sign it’s starting to heal, though itching may still linger.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Itching like crazy? From calamine to oatmeal baths, here are the fastest ways to soothe poison ivy — and feel human again.

• How long does poison ivy last? Still seeing new bumps? Here's what each stage of a poison ivy rash looks like — and how long it really takes to go away.

• Is it poison ivy? Maybe not. Discover other common itchy skin rashes (with photos) and how to tell the difference.

How poison ivy, oak, or sumac spreads

You don’t have to touch the plant itself to get the rash. The urushiol oil that causes the rash is found on every part of the plant, even dead branches. And it sticks to clothes, pet fur, and everyday objects, so it can be transferred from any of those surfaces to your body.

That means you can get a rash:

• From indirect contact (like brushing against contaminated clothing or gear)

• After touching a pet that rolled in the plants

• If urushiol remains on your skin and spreads to others

Read more like this

Explore these related articles, suggested for readers like you.

6 Ways to Get Rid of Poison Ivy Rash Symptoms Fast

Can Poison Oak or Poison Ivy Go Through Your Clothes?

How Long Does Poison Ivy Last?

Why Is My Skin So Itchy?

View more

So, the rash isn’t contagious. But urushiol oil spreads so easily. And that makes it seem like you can “catch” the rash from someone else (even though that’s not exactly what’s going on).

How can you prevent exposure to poison ivy, oak, or sumac?

There are measures you can take to decrease your risk of exposure to poison ivy, oak, or sumac: 

• Know these plants. Learn to recognize what each of these plants looks like and where it’s commonly found. 

• Keep your skin covered. Wear long sleeves, long pants, boots, and even gloves if you think you may be around poison ivy, oak, or sumac.

• Clean up. Wash any tools or clothing you think may have come into contact with poison ivy, oak, or sumac. Make sure to use soap and wear dishwashing gloves.

How to recognize poison ivy, oak, and sumac

Knowing what these plants look like can help you avoid them in the first place. As the saying goes, “leaves of three, let it be.” That means all of these plants usually have leaves in groups of three.

Poison ivy

Poison ivy leaves almost always come in groups of three, with the middle leaflet being bigger than the other two. This makes it different from other vines and shrubs. The leaves themselves are shiny and green. White flowers turn to cream-colored berries in the spring and summer, and leaves turn reddish in the fall. The shape of the individual leaflets can vary. 

Poison oak

Poison oak also grows in leaf clusters of three but with wider, more rounded edges. The leaves look like oak tree leaves. But they can vary in shape and color throughout the seasons. 

Poison ivy usually has three leaflets. It can grow as a climbing vine or spread low through grass.

Poison oak can have three or more leaves per group that are more rounded.

Poison sumac

Poison sumac is a shrub or small tree with 7 to 13 dark green leaves on each reddish stem. The leaves turn a bright orange-red in the fall. Hanging from the branches are light green-yellow flowers that turn into yellow berries. 

Treatment for poison ivy, oak, and sumac rash

Even with your best efforts, it’s not always possible to avoid these plants. If you think you’ve been exposed, acting quickly can reduce your chances of developing a rash — or at least make it milder.

What to do right away

• Remove and isolate clothing or items that may have touched the plant.

• Wash your skin immediately with soap and water. You can use products marketed for poison ivy, but regular soap works just as well. 

• Clean any contaminated objects, like tools or shoes, using gloves to avoid re-exposure.

• Once the urushiol oil is washed off, the rash won’t spread — not to other parts of your body and not to other people. Even fluid from blisters isn’t contagious.

How to treat the rash

The main goal of treatment is to relieve itching and prevent skin infection from scratching. 

Most rashes go away on their own within a few weeks. But these at-home and over-the-counter (OTC) treatments can help:

• Cool compresses

• Hydrocortisone cream (1%) or other topical steroids

• Calamine lotion

• Baths with baking soda

• Oatmeal baths (make your own or buy an OTC colloidal oatmeal product) 

• Oral antihistamines, like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and cetirizine (Zyrtec)

You may have heard about home remedies like aloe vera, apple cider vinegar, or banana peels. However, these aren’t supported by strong research. And so they’re unlikely to provide relief.

When to see a healthcare professional

A poison ivy rash should improve in a few weeks, even without treatment. But there are times when you should seek medical care.

See a medical professional if:

• The rash is severe, widespread, or on sensitive areas like the face or genitals

• You’re not improving with OTC treatments

You may need prescription-strength steroid creams or oral steroids, like prednisone. 

You should also seek medical attention right away if you notice a skin infection or breathing problems.

Signs of skin infection

Skin can become vulnerable to bacteria and infection when there are breaks in the skin from blisters or scratching. Signs of a skin infection include: 

• Fever

• Pus

• Worsening redness

• Pain

Other infection signs are swelling around the rash (concerning for cellulitis), or a yellowish crust over the rash (called impetigo). 

Breathing problems 

When poison ivy, oak, or sumac are burned, they release urushiol oil in the smoke. This can trigger serious allergic reactions in the lungs and difficulty breathing. 

If you’re having trouble breathing or had a past severe allergic reaction to poison ivy, call 911 or go to the ER immediately.

Frequently asked questions

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Fonda Jiang, MD

Dr. Fonda Jiang is a practicing allergist in Long Beach, California. At her current practice, Dr. Jiang is committed to working as a team with her adult and pediatric patients to diagnose and treat a wide range of allergic conditions.

Edited by:

Sophie Vergnaud, MD

Sophie Vergnaud, MD, is the Senior Medical Director for GoodRx Health. An experienced and dedicated pulmonologist and hospitalist, she spent a decade practicing and teaching clinical medicine at academic hospitals throughout London before transitioning to a career in health education and health technology.

Reviewed by:

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA, is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist who has practiced dermatology and dermatopathology for over 10 years across private practice, academic, and telehealth settings. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatopathology.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts

Images used with permission from VisualDx (www.visualdx.com).