Poison ivy - oak - sumac rash: when to get help

1. 1

   Is any of this happening now?

   Call 911

   Call emergency services if you develop trouble breathing, throat tightness, faintness, or major swelling of the tongue or face, especially after breathing smoke from burning plants.

   Move away from the smoke if you can do so safely.

   And for anyone, someone who:

   • has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
   • you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
   Other emergency signs, for anyone

   • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
   • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
   • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
   • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
   • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
   • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
2. 2

   Is any of this happening?

   Be seen today

   Seek urgent medical care if:

   • The eyes are affected or swollen shut
   • The rash involves the mouth or genitals
   • Swelling is severe or rapidly increasing
   • The rash covers a large part of the body
   • You develop fever, pus, increasing pain, or spreading warmth and redness
   • Itching is severe enough to prevent sleep despite self-care
   • You may have inhaled plant smoke

   And for anyone, someone who:

   • has a fever with a stiff neck, a rash that does not fade under pressure, or severe headache
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
3. 3

   Does any of this apply?

   Book an appointment

   Arrange routine medical follow-up if you are unsure what caused the rash, it is not beginning to improve after about a week, or it remains active beyond roughly three weeks.

   Earlier review may be appropriate if you have a condition or treatment that weakens your immune system.

   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Poison ivy - oak - sumac rash. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.