How do I identify poison sumac?

Poison sumac has clusters of white or light-green berries that sag downward on its branches, while the red berries of harmless sumac sit upright. Also, each stem on the poison sumac plant has a cluster of leaflets with smooth edges, while harmless sumac leaves have jagged edges.

What does poison sumac look like on the skin?

The poison sumac rash looks like streaky patches of red blisters. The rash itself is not contagious but, if the urushiol oil is still on your clothes, dog or backpack, it can still give you a rash. Once you get the rash, you can have it for up to three weeks.

Does poison sumac always have red stems?

Poison sumac has red stems.

A primary characteristic that distinguishes poison sumac from other woody plants is the red to reddish-brown stems that hold its leaves. They are often bold against the spring and summer leaves of the plant. Non-poisonous relatives of poison sumac do not have red stems.

What looks like poison sumac But isn t?

Staghorn sumac has similar leaf arrangement to poison sumac but it has fuzzy fruit and stems. The fruits are generally red. Smooth sumac has smooth stems, like poison sumac. However, its berries grow in dense clustered spikes rather than the looser arrangement found in poison sumac.

How can you tell if a sumac is poisonous or staghorn sumac?

The leaflets of poison sumac have smooth margins; those of staghorn sumac are toothed. A staghorn sumac leaf will have at least 9 leaflets on it (up to 31). A poison sumac leaf will have at most around 13 leaflets (usually fewer). The twigs on poison sumac are smooth; those on staghorn sumac are covered in tiny hairs.

How to Identify Poison Sumac

Can you touch poison sumac?

Poison ivy, oak, and sumac rash is not contagious. It can't be spread from person to person by touching the blisters, or from the fluid inside the blisters. But oil that remains on skin, clothes, or shoes can be spread to another person and cause a rash.

Can poison sumac spread by scratching?

Poison Plant Rashes Aren't Contagious

The rash will occur only where the plant oil has touched the skin, so a person with poison ivy can't spread it on the body by scratching. It may seem like the rash is spreading if it appears over time instead of all at once.

What should you do if you touch poison sumac?

Topic Overview. If you have contact with poison ivy, oak, or sumac, immediately wash areas of the skin that may have touched the plant. Sometimes the resulting rash (contact dermatitis) can be completely avoided by washing the affected areas with plenty of water and soap (such as dishwashing soap) or rubbing alcohol.

What does poison sumac look like when it first starts?

Poison sumac rash looks different on every person, but there are some commonalities. It usually begins with small, red bumps that become blisters filled with fluid. The rash and blistering can spread. Poison sumac rash should be treated as soon as possible because it can last for weeks without treatment.

Is poison sumac rash worse than poison ivy?

Poison sumac is considered the “most toxic plant in the country.” However, on a positive note, it's also much rarer than the others. It only grows in super wet areas, like bogs or swamps. Just like poison ivy, sumac also contains urushiol. That means it causes the same reaction as poison ivy — an itchy rash.

How long after touching poison sumac does it appear?

It takes time for the rash to appear. A rash can develop in a few hours if you've had a rash from one of these plants before. If you've never had a rash from poison ivy, oak, or sumac, it can take 2 to 3 weeks before you see a rash.

How long does it take to get poison sumac after exposure?

Previous rash from poison ivy, oak, or sumac: A rash usually appears within 4 to 48 hours. Never had a rash from poison ivy, oak, or sumac: It typically takes 2 to 3 weeks.

What is the fastest way to cure poison sumac?

Conventional Treatments for Poison Sumac Reactions

Doctors will sometimes prescribe antihistamine medications or even steroids to patients with severe skin rashes in order to control their immune system's reaction. Certain medications can help control swelling and itching and might make the rash go away a bit quicker.

Should I pop my poison sumac blisters?

Never pop poison ivy blisters! Although they may be painful, an open blister can easily become infected and lead to blood poisoning.

What does poison sumac allergic reaction look like?

The allergic reaction to poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac is usually contact dermatitis. This may happen 24 to 72 hours after exposure. The dermatitis is characterized by bumps and blisters that itch. Sometimes, swelling happens in the area of contact.

Should I go to urgent care for poison sumac?

If blisters burst, gently remove dead skin with clean hands and apply antibiotic ointment 3 times a day (Bacitracin, or something similar over the counter). If symptoms and rash do not get better within 4 to 5 days, seek medical care with your PCP or at GoHealth Urgent Care.

How long does it take poison sumac to stop itching?

Even though your rash can go away on its own in 1 to 3 weeks, your skin will feel better if you take some steps at home. To help with oozing problems, try over-the-counter creams or lotions that you put on the rash, such as those that contain: Aluminum acetate (Burow's solution) Aluminum sulfate.

What kills poison sumac on skin?

Can you put a bandaid on poison sumac?

Keep the rash clean with soap and water. Cover it with a bandage if it's oozing to help prevent bacteria from getting into the wound.

What kills sumac permanently?

Applying a chemical or herbicide can help eliminate invasive sumac. Fire: Burning is another method for getting rid of sumac. Fire will kill the buds along the stem and the growing shoots that are above ground.

Is Benadryl good for poison sumac?

If you have trouble sleeping because of the itching, taking diphenhydramine (Benadryl) may help. Some home care medicines applied to the skin can make the rash worse, rather than help. These include topical antihistamines like Benadryl cream, topical antibiotics like Neosporin, and topical anesthetics like Lanacane.

What kills poison sumac naturally?

Keep cutting back the poison sumac plants every two weeks during the growing season as you notice it resprouting. Although this can be time-consuming, taking up to two years to completely eradicate the plants, they will eventually die back and not reappear. You can get rid of the plants quicker if you remove the roots.

How do you stop sumac from spreading?

Sumac should be cut twice, once in July and once in August. Cutting at the appropriate time is crucial for effective control. Double-cutting (once in July and once in August) may need to be repeated for several consecutive years to achieve effective control in dense populations.

What happens if you breathe in poison sumac?

Any person working outdoors is at risk of exposure to poisonous plants, such as poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. When in contact with skin, the sap oil (urushiol) of these plants can cause an allergic reaction. Burning these poisonous plants produces smoke that, when inhaled, can cause lung irritation.

Where does poison sumac grow?

Poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix) is a native plant that grows exclusively in very wet or flooded soils, usually in swamps and peat bogs.