Poison Ivy and Other Summer Skin Irritants

During the summer, warm weather often means more time outside. But along with the fresh air might come some unwanted outdoor encounters. Heat and sun, as well as some types of plants and bugs, can take a toll on your skin. Learn about common summer skin irritants and find out how to soothe them.

Poison ivy

Poison ivy grows as a low shrub or on vines. Each leaf on a poison ivy plant has three smaller leaflets. Touching any part of the plant can cause red, swollen skin, blisters and severe itching. This skin reaction sometimes happens within just a few hours of coming into contact with poison ivy.

A poison ivy rash usually goes away within 1 to 2 weeks. While it’s healing, soothe the irritated skin with a cream that eases itching, such as calamine lotion. Many of these creams are available without a prescription.

Keep reading this article on Mayo Clinic.