POISON IVY: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) is a shrub and vine. It contains a chemical that causes skin irritation and allergic reactions for many people.

Poison ivy is part of the cashew family, not the ivy family. It's used in homeopathic medicine, meaning it's given in extremely dilute doses, often so dilute that they contain little or no poison ivy. But it's not clear how it might work.

Homeopathic preparations of poison ivy are used to treat pain, rheumatoid arthritis, sprains, and itchy skin disorders, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

We currently have no information for POISON IVY overview.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Poison ivy is likely unsafe. Chemicals in poison ivy can cause allergic reactions with widespread symptoms, including severe irritation of the mouth and throat, vomiting, fever, and coma.

When applied to the skin: Poison ivy is likely unsafe. Skin contact with poison ivy can cause redness, swelling, and other reactions. Wash exposed areas with soap and water within 5-10 minutes of contact to limit skin irritation.

Special Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Poison ivy is likely unsafe to take by mouth or apply to the skin while pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Allergies: People with allergies to other substances, such as cashew, mango, and ginkgo, might also be allergic to poison ivy.

Interactions ?

We currently have no information for POISON IVY overview.

Dosing

Poison ivy is used in homeopathic products. This means that the poison ivy in these products is often so dilute that there's little or no active ingredient remaining. Taking products containing larger, detectable amounts of poison ivy by mouth or applying them to the skin is unsafe and should be avoided. Consult a healthcare provider before use.

View References

REFERENCES:

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Epstein, W. L. Occupational poison ivy and oak dermatitis. Dermatol.Clin. 1994;12(3):511-516. View abstract.

Gladman, A. C. Toxicodendron dermatitis: poison ivy, oak, and sumac. Wilderness.Environ.Med 2006;17(2):120-128. View abstract.

Griffiths, C. E. and Nickoloff, B. J. Keratinocyte intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression precedes dermal T lymphocytic infiltration in allergic contact dermatitis (Rhus dermatitis). Am J Pathol. 1989;135(6):1045-1053. View abstract.

Griffiths, C. E., Barker, J. N., Kunkel, S., and Nickoloff, B. J. Modulation of leucocyte adhesion molecules, a T-cell chemotaxin (IL-8) and a regulatory cytokine (TNF-alpha) in allergic contact dermatitis (rhus dermatitis). Br.J Dermatol. 1991;124(6):519-526. View abstract.

Guin, J. D. Poison ivy dermatitis in winter with an example of filial contact dermatitis. J.Indiana State Med.Assoc. 1983;76(3):184. View abstract.

Hurwitz, R. M., Rivera, H. P., and Guin, J. D. Black-spot poison ivy dermatitis. An acute irritant contact dermatitis superimposed upon an allergic contact dermatitis. Am.J.Dermatopathol. 1984;6(4):319-322. View abstract.

Johnson, R. A., Haer, H., Kirkpatrick, C. H., Dawson, C. R., and Khurana, R. G. Comparison of the contact allergenicity of the four pentadecylcatechols derived from poison ivy urushiol in human subjects. J.Allergy Clin.Immunol. 1972;49(1):27-35. View abstract.

Kalish, R. S. The use of human T-lymphocyte clones to study T-cell function in allergic contact dermatitis to urushiol. J Invest Dermatol. 1990;94(6 Suppl):108S-111S. View abstract.

Kollef, M. H. Adult respiratory distress syndrome after smoke inhalation from burning poison ivy. JAMA 7-26-1995;274(4):358-359. View abstract.

Kurlan, J. G. and Lucky, A. W. Black spot poison ivy: A report of 5 cases and a review of the literature. J.Am.Acad.Dermatol. 2001;45(2):246-249. View abstract.

Lee, N. P. and Arriola, E. R. Poison ivy, oak, and sumac dermatitis. West J.Med. 1999;171(5-6):354-355. View abstract.

Lejman, E., Stoudemayer, T., Grove, G., and Kligman, A. M. Age differences in poison ivy dermatitis. Contact Dermatitis 1984;11(3):163-167. View abstract.

Mallory, S. B., Miller, O. F., III, and Tyler, W. B. Toxicodendron radicans dermatitis with black lacquer deposit on the skin. J.Am.Acad.Dermatol. 1982;6(3):363-368. View abstract.

Marks, J. G., Jr., DeMelfi, T., McCarthy, M. A., Witte, E. J., Castagnoli, N., Epstein, W. L., and Aber, R. C. Dermatitis from cashew nuts. J.Am.Acad.Dermatol. 1984;10(4):627-631. View abstract.

Nickoloff, B. J., Fivenson, D. P., Kunkel, S. L., Strieter, R. M., and Turka, L. A. Keratinocyte interleukin-10 expression is upregulated in tape-stripped skin, poison ivy dermatitis, and Sezary syndrome, but not in psoriatic plaques. Clin.Immunol.Immunopathol. 1994;73(1):63-68. View abstract.

Resnick, S. D. Poison-ivy and poison-oak dermatitis. Clin.Dermatol. 1986;4(2):208-212. View abstract.

Sasseville, D. and Nguyen, K. H. Allergic contact dermatitis from Rhus toxicodendron in a phytotherapeutic preparation. Contact Dermatitis 1995;32(3):182-183. View abstract.

Schram, S. E., Willey, A., Lee, P. K., Bohjanen, K. A., and Warshaw, E. M. Black-spot poison ivy. Dermatitis 2008;19(1):48-51. View abstract.

Schwartz, R. S. and Downham, T. F. Erythema multiforme associated with Rhus contact dermatitis. Cutis 1981;27(1):85-86. View abstract.

Werchniak, A. E. and Schwarzenberger, K. Poison ivy: an underreported cause of erythema multiforme. J Am Acad.Dermatol. 2004;51(5 Suppl):S159-S160. View abstract.

Berk DR, Hurt MA, Reese LT, Wagner L, Bayliss SJ. Milia after allergic contact dermatitis from poison ivy: two cases. Dermatitis 2010;21(3):E16-8. View abstract.

Cohen LM, Cohen JL. Erythema multiforme associated with contact dermatitis to poison ivy: three cases and a review of the literature. Cutis 1998;62:139-42. View abstract.

EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA), Turck D, et al. Safety of dried fruits of Synsepalum dulcificum as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. EFSA J 2021;19(6):e06600. View abstract.

Hershko, K., Weinberg, I., and Ingber, A. Exploring the mango-poison ivy connection: the riddle of discriminative plant dermatitis. Contact Dermatitis 2005;52(1):3-5. View abstract.

Lampe KF. Dermatitis-producing Anacardiaceae of the Caribbean area. Clinics in Dermatol 1986; 4(2):171-82. View abstract.

Oka, K., Saito, F., Yasuhara, T., and Sugimoto, A. A study of cross-reactions between mango contact allergens and urushiol. Contact Dermatitis 2004;51(5-6):292-296. View abstract.

Rabinovich EP, Barquin JN, Abernathy RE, Koester RJ. Black-Spot Toxicodendron Dermatitis With Varied Presentation. Wilderness Environ Med 2022;33(3):351-354. View abstract.

Smith HD, Williams B, Beck LA, De Benedetto A. Erythema Multiforme Secondary to Poison Ivy Contact Dermatitis. Dermatitis 2023. View abstract.

Sowers WF, Weary PE, Collins OD, Cawley EP. Ginkgo-tree dermatitis. Arch Dermatol 1965;91(5):452-6. View abstract.

Stam, C., Bonnet, M. S., and van Haselen, R. A. The efficacy and safety of a homeopathic gel in the treatment of acute low back pain: a multi-centre, randomised, double-blind comparative clinical trial. Br Homeopath J 2001;90(1):21-28. View abstract.

Sugiura K, Sagiura M. Contact dermatitis caused by ginkgo. Global J Allergy 2016;2:001-2. DOI: 10.17352/2455-8141.000011

van Haselen, R. A. and Fisher, P. A. A randomized controlled trial comparing topical piroxicam gel with a homeopathic gel in osteoarthritis of the knee. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2000;39(7):714-719. View abstract.

Woolery S, Willner J, Prahlow JA, Douglas E. Death After Poison Ivy Smoke Inhalation. Am J Forensic Med Pathol 2022;43(4):359-362. View abstract.

Baer, R. L. Poison ivy dermatitis. Cutis 1986;37(6):434-436. View abstract.

Cardinali, C., Francalanci, S., Giomi, B., Caproni, M., Sertoli, A., and Fabbri, P. Contact dermatitis from Rhus toxicodendron in a homeopathic remedy. J Am Acad.Dermatol. 2004;50(1):150-151. View abstract.

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
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POISON IVY - Uses, Side Effects, and More