Description

This video by TV360 offers you expert advice on the effects of poison ivy and other poisonous plants on children.

Transcript

How Poison Ivy Affects Children Veronica: Hi, my name is Veronica. I’m from Belgium Bruges. My question is, my son went to summer camp and he came back scratched, could he have poison Ivy? Lisa Bernstein: Veronica, it is possible that your son has poison ivy however as you know kids at summer camp can get into anything and not all scratches are poison ivy. Poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac caused contact dermatitis which is inflammation of the skin caused by a histamine reaction relative to a plant that they come in contact with such as poison ivy. The plant actually will streak the skin and at the sight of the plant contact at about eight to 48 hours later they’ll end up with some little bumps called hives or fluid filled blisters which can actually erupt and have a warm very itchy feeling to them. So if your son has not had one of these eruptions and you’re out of that window of eight to 48 hours you’re probably safe. However, if he has common contact with poison ivy make sure that you wash the skin very well and you can treat him with just topical agents such calamine lotion or a topical antihistamine. If it spreads out of the site where it started and he ends up with any facial swelling or compromise of his airway you definitely want to seek medical attention.