Poison ivy/oak contagion

I was just diagnosed with poison ivy/oak. It started a few days ago, and I went to the doctor today and got medicine. How contagious is this to others and to other parts of my body? The blisters are not bleeding. Do I need to worry about spreading it when I shower or dry off?

Thanks.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Rash from poison ivy is due to contact dermatitis and is not contagious. Treatment is directed at controlling the itching. You may take oral antihistaminics like benadryl or zyrtec.Also apply calamine lotion as it has a soothing effect on the skin. You can apply OTC steroid cream but it is only helpful if applied right away, before blisters appear, or much later, when the blisters have dried up. Compresses with cool water or Burrow’s solution (available without prescription) can help dry the ooze faster.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.