Posion Ivy

Can you catch posion ivy from swimming in a lake with someone who has it.

[Bridget A. Hewitt, RN]

HI and thanks for using the forum

You can get poison Ivy from touching it and from touching something that has touched it(like your pet or your clothes).  It would be highly unlikely that you would catch poison ivy from swimming in a lake with somone who has it.  IF the person you swam with already had the poison ivy rash, then the oil has already been absorbed  into the skin and it is not contagious.  If the person came in contact with the poison ivy at the lake, then it is possible that you could have come in contact with it at the lake as well.  Hope that answers your question and I hope you didn't get poison ivy!

Bridget