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Poison ivy

Conveniently located to serve Omaha, NE

Overview

That hike in the woods or gardening clean-up can hold hidden dangers in the underbrush. Poison ivy and other toxic plants can rub against your skin or tag along on your clothing and cause a red, itchy rash if you touch the oils left behind.

Some people are more sensitive than others to the toxic oil these plants produce. The resulting itchy rash and blisters can be uncomfortable. Scratching the areas may lead to infection or worsening of the condition if the poison ivy is under your fingernails or still on your body.

It’s important you seek care if you’ve been exposed and are feeling uncomfortable symptoms not helped by home care.

Dr. Joel Schlessinger, a board-certified dermatologist at Schlessinger MD in Omaha, can assess your skincare concerns and provide treatment options for all types of poison ivy and other irritants from plants. He has the medical background to look at all aspects of this condition and work for solutions that will result in quick improvement.

Patient reviews

★★★★★

When I had my bout with poison ivy, you worked me in that day! I realty needed some relief from that, and I got it–thanks!

– Barbara D.

Q&A with Dr. Schlessinger

Your commonly asked questions answered.

If you’ve had a brush with the poisonous saps produced by Mother Nature in poison ivy and other toxic plants, you may see a red blistery rash within 12 to 48 hours. These rashes can last weeks depending on how severe they are.

Most people are allergic to the toxic oil these plants produce. The oil called urushiol also lingers on shoes, garden gloves, and clothing, so it’s important to carefully wash these items so you don’t infect others or reinfect yourself.

A rash caused by poison ivy can vary in severity from person to person, but with the right treatment, you can ease the inflammation and soothe the skin. Treatment can help you control your poison ivy rash, and Schlessinger MD has many options. Dr. Schlessinger will suggest the best medications for your condition. Sometimes prescription steroids are used to lessen the inflammation and itching. Antibiotics are sometimes prescribed for infection resulting from excessive scratching, but this is usually days or weeks into the episode. Various other products on LovelySkin.com, including Dr. Schlessinger’s exclusive, patented formulation of FixMySkin for treatment of this condition, can be used in conjunction with the medications he may prescribe at the time of your visit.

“Poison ivy is treatable, but it is best to get in early to make sure it is poison ivy and not something else. This could make the difference from being irritated instead of miserable!”

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Contact us to learn more about our dermatology services.

At Schlessinger MD our skin experts specialize in various treatments because we believe that everyone can have healthy skin. Joel Schlessinger, MD is a highly skilled and experienced board-certified dermatologist, recognized as the Best Dermatologist and Cosmetic Surgeon in Omaha since 2000. Our team is dedicated to providing you with the best results and experience possible. Contact Schlessinger MD today or book your acne appointment online now using our booking tool.