Poison Ivy, Oak, or Sumac (cont.) IN THIS ARTICLE What Increases
Your Risk People in certain jobs or with outdoor hobbies have an
increased risk for contact with poison ivy, oak, or sumac and
the resulting rash (allergic contact dermatitis). These people
include: Your risk of having a reaction to poison ivy, oak, or
sumac and the severity of your allergic reaction depend mainly
on your age and on the extent of the first contact or first few
contacts with the plant. Other influences include physical
activity and immune system function. Some studies show that how
allergic you are to the plants may be inherited.1 When To Call a
Doctor Call a doctor if: Watchful waiting is a wait-and-see
approach. If the rash is not severe, watchful waiting may be
appropriate. Home treatment may be used to relieve symptoms.
Dark spots may develop, but this is not serious. Watchful
waiting is not appropriate if the rash develops over your entire
body, becomes infected, or reappears or gets worse after using
medicine. See your doct