Poison ivy — like poison oak and poison sumac — is a plant that produces an oily, sticky resin that gets on your skin if you touch the plant or brush against it. Once the oil is on your hands, it can easily spread to any other part of the body you touch, including your eyes.
Most people — about 85% of the population — are allergic to the resin produced by poison ivy (called urushiol). After contact with the plant, they may get an itchy, red, blistery rash.
It’s also possible to get poison ivy through indirect contact. For example, if your dog or cat brushes against the plant, they may not get a rash. But they can carry the oil on their fur, and you can then get it on your skin when playing with your pet.
Every year, between 10 million and 50 million Americans see their doctors for a poison ivy rash.
What are the symptoms of poison ivy in the eye?
A poison ivy rash in or around the eyes can be painful. Symptoms may include:
A bumpy, itchy red rash around the eyes
A rash that turns into oozing blisters
Small bumps on the insides of the eyelids
Very watery, red itchy eyes
Swelling of the soft tissue around the eyes
The eyes may even swell shut in severe cases
If your eyes swell shut, it is important to see your eye doctor right away.
What should I do if I get poison ivy in my eyes?
As soon as you realize you have a poison ivy rash, it is recommended to shower. That can help to wash off any oil that might still be on your skin, especially if you cleanse with soap and water three times to try to completely remove the poison ivy oil.
Wipes made with alcohol can also help remove the oil. It is recommended to launder your clothes, and clean anything you may have touched with your hands. Your hands could spread the plant’s oil to your cell phone, or other personal items.
How long does poison ivy in the eyes last?
A poison ivy rash can show up as soon as a few hours after your skin is exposed to the oil. It can also take as long as a few days to develop.
The rash may appear wherever the oil made contact with the skin. If you get blisters, it is recommended to try not to scratch them, no matter how much they itch.
The red rash and blisters often clear up in several weeks, regardless of where they’re located on your body.
How do I treat poison ivy in the eye?
If you develop a rash around your eyes after coming into contact with poison ivy, you can:
Use cool wet compresses to soothe the area around your inflamed, itchy eyes for 15 to 30 minutes a few times a day.
Take oral antihistamines as directed, such as loratadine and diphenhydramine. This can be helpful if your itchy rash is keeping you awake at night. (Keep in mind that diphenhydramine can cause drowsiness.)
When sleeping, elevate your head above your heart to help reduce swelling. You can do this by resting your head on multiple pillows.
Leave your rash alone. It may resolve on its own, but scratching the itch can make it worse.
While it may be OK to apply over-the-counter cortisone or calamine lotion to other areas of your body, it is important to consult your eye doctor before using similarly medicated creams near your eyes. Your eye doctor can provide guidance and treatment — such as topical steroids or topical antihistamines — that are safe to use in your eye area.
When to see an eye doctor
It is recommended to see a doctor or eye doctor, depending on the specific symptoms, if:
You have a fever of over 100 degrees Fahrenheit
The itchy rash on your eyes is oozing pus
The itchy rash is keeping you awake at night
The rash does not go away on its own in a few weeks
Your eyes are swollen (especially if they are swollen shut)
Your rash became infected
Swelling of the eye tissue may mean you’re having a serious reaction that needs to be assessed by a doctor. From there, your doctor may prescribe a steroid cream that is stronger than the one you can buy in the drugstore. They may also prescribe oral steroids if necessary, or an antibacterial cream if your rash is infected. Anti-inflammatory eye drops from your doctor can help as well.
All these treatments can help clear up the inflammation and itchy rash.
It’s possible you may not have to see a doctor, because a poison ivy rash may clear up on its own in one to three weeks. The blisters may dry up and the rash may fade away.
How can I avoid getting poison ivy in my eyes?
There are a number of ways you may be able to avoid poison ivy in your eyes, including:
Knowing the appearance of poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac. All these plants have three leaves. One of the most popular sayings to help you remember is: Leaves of three, let them be.
If you find poison ivy on your lawn or in your garden, wearing long sleeves, pants and gloves when near the plant and cleaning your gardening tools and gloves before putting them away.
After walking, gardening or hiking in an area with poison ivy, washing your clothes and shoes and taking a shower. It’s important not to avoid touching your eyes until you know your hands are clean.
If you’re worried that your pets have come into contact with poison ivy, giving them a bath so the oil doesn’t spread to you.
Remembering that the rash itself is not contagious. But the oil can spread easily to other people if they touch the oil on you, your clothing or any objects you have touched.
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