re: Poison Ivy Contagious Period

In my best attempt to shed some light:

It is classified as an allergan - I've been in the woods, in the south, in Kansas, etc., with ivy, oak and sumac all over - I've only reacted once, to my knowledge - I got some on my hand, rubbed my face and had it alongside my nose under my left eye. However, I believe that everyone will react (there is no "allergy" to this, in my opinion, but rather sensitivity to it) if exposed to enough of it, or in a high enough concentration.

It is an oil, therefore, your golden retriever CAN go outside, roll around in it, come back inside, rub it on your legs and cause you to react. This is more likely, the more sensitive you are to the substance. This is where the myth of "contagion" comes from.

As far as "spreading" - once you get the oil on your skin, you will notice a reaction that appears to spread. This is because sweat and your other natural body oils distribute the toxin (again, it is also an oil - urushiol). However, there is no internal infection or spreading of that infection. The reaction is at the skin level - the skin is reddening/blistering in response to the substance.

Finally, the oil - urushiol - is the same for ivy, oak and sumac - now, just as with anything the strength can vary from variety to variety, but the substance is the same. Therefore, there is no "I'm allergic to poison ivy, but not poison oak or poison sumac" - that doesn't make sense.

Hope this helps.