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Plants (Poison Ivy, Poisonous Plants & Plant Allergies)

Plants can cause trouble in four main ways: an allergic rash from poison ivy, oak or sumac; stings and sun-triggered burns from plants such as nettle and giant hogweed; poisoning when a plant, berry or mushroom is swallowed; and pollen allergy. Trouble breathing or swelling of the face or throat is a 911 emergency, and Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) is free, around the clock and the right call for anything swallowed.

Call 911 right away if, after touching, breathing in or swallowing a plant, a person has trouble breathing, wheezing, a tight throat or trouble swallowing, or swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue, face or throat. These are signs of a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis); an epinephrine auto-injector, if available, should be given right away (MedlinePlus, NHS). For poison ivy, oak and sumac, NIOSH likewise says to call 911 or go to an emergency room for swelling or trouble breathing (CDC/NIOSH). Breathing trouble after inhaling smoke from burning poison ivy, oak or sumac is also an emergency (Poison Control).

Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 if anyone has swallowed a plant, berry or any wild mushroom, or you are not sure what was eaten (MedlinePlus). Help by phone or online is free, confidential and available 24 hours a day (Poison Control). Do not wait for symptoms: those from poisonous mushrooms can be delayed for many hours (Poison Control).

See a doctor promptly for a plant rash that reaches the eyes, mouth or genital area; covers more than about a quarter of the skin or is widespread and severe; comes with a temperature over 100°F; has pus, soft yellow scabs or growing tenderness; keeps you up at night with itching; or has not improved after a few weeks (FDA, Poison Control). Burning pain or blisters after touching giant hogweed and then being in sunlight also need a doctor (NY DEC). If a pet has chewed a plant, call your veterinarian right away; not all human poison centers take pet calls (Poison Control).

What “plant problems” means here

“Plants” is a broad topic, so this guide covers four separate things:

  • Skin reactions: the itchy, blistering rash of poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac, plus stinging nettle and burns that appear when plant sap meets sunlight, as with giant hogweed.
  • Swallowing a poisonous plant, berry or mushroom, a particular worry for young children and pets.
  • Plant pollen allergy (hay fever), covered briefly, with a link to our Allergies guide.
  • Herbal (medicinal-plant) safety. “Natural” is not the same as harmless; see the Herbal medicine tab and our Medication Safety guide.

This page can help you decide what to do next and what to ask, but it cannot diagnose a rash or tell you whether a plant is safe. When in doubt, Poison Control is free and can help you sort it out.

Poison ivy, oak and sumac at a glance

Most people are sensitive to the oily sap of these plants, which is in the root, stems, leaves and fruit. On the skin it causes a blistering rash that ranges from mild to severe depending on how much sap you touched and how sensitive you are (MedlinePlus). The oil is called urushiol (FDA). Estimates of how many people react differ: NIOSH says less than a grain of salt of urushiol causes a rash in 80% to 90% of adults (CDC/NIOSH); Poison Control estimates 50% to 75% (Poison Control).

The rash is an allergic contact dermatitis, a delayed reaction that a medical review says appears 12 to 72 hours after exposure as intensely itchy red bumps and blisters, often in lines or streaks where the plant brushed the skin (Lofgran et al.). Other sources give different windows: a few hours to several days (FDA), or as late as two weeks for someone who has never reacted before (Poison Control). The rash usually fades on its own over a number of weeks (FDA). Diagnosis is usually based on how it looks and a history of likely exposure (Poison Control). On the Pacific Coast, the relevant plant is poison oak: Poison Control says it is typically encountered in the Western states (Poison Control), and the FDA describes it there as tall clumps or long vines with fuzzy green leaves in clusters of three (FDA).

Other plant skin problems at a glance

Related guides: Hives, Eczema, Insect Bites & Stings, Burns, Cellulitis (if a rash gets infected) and Eye Problems. See our Skin Problems guide.

First minute checklist: (1) If breathing or swallowing is affected, call 911. (2) If anything was swallowed, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. (3) If plant oil or sap is on the skin, rinse it off with soap and plenty of water as soon as you can (FDA, Poison Control). (4) If it might have been poison ivy, oak or sumac, set the clothes aside to be washed separately, since the oil can stay on them (Poison Control). (5) If it might have been giant hogweed, cover the skin and stay out of the sun (NY DEC).

Side by side

Six approaches compared

For every condition we look at the same six approaches: what each involves, what it typically costs, and what a patient can realistically expect.

ApproachWhat it involves Estimated costWhat to expect
Conventional medicine (AMA) Wash off the plant oil or sap, then treat symptoms: cool compresses, soothing products, over-the-counter anti-itch steps and, for severe or widespread rashes, prescription steroids by mouth or on the skin. Emergency care for allergic reactions or swallowed plants; Poison Control for anything swallowed. Poison Control advice by phone or online is free. Costs of clinic or urgent care visits and prescriptions: being researched. Most poison ivy rashes fade on their own over a number of weeks; steroids can help when started early or when the rash is severe. Contact a doctor for rashes near the eyes, mouth or genitals, widespread rashes, fever or pus.
Chiropractic No role in treating plant rashes, plant poisoning or pollen allergy. About $55 to $100 per follow-up visit paying cash, per The Pricer. Medicare covers only spinal adjustments for a subluxation. We found little research on chiropractic care for these problems. Tell your chiropractor about any skin reaction before a visit.
Acupuncture No established role for plant rashes or poisoning; we found little research. About $90 to $185 per follow-up visit paying cash, per The Pricer. Medicare covers acupuncture only for chronic low back pain. Needles should not go through a blistered, broken or infected rash. Never a substitute for washing off the oil, medical care for a severe reaction, or Poison Control.
Herbal medicine Mostly a question of safety: swallowing the wrong plant, mistaking a wild plant for a medicinal one, and herbs that interact with medicines. Folk remedies such as jewelweed have been studied for poison ivy with mixed results. Cost estimate being researched. One small study found a jewelweed extract did no better than water on poison ivy patch tests; another found jewelweed mash helped prevent a rash but plain soap worked better. Tell your doctor and pharmacist about every herb you take.
Massage therapy No role in treating plant rashes or poisoning. Gentle massage may be possible for stress or muscle tension once skin has healed. One national chain: about $70 to $90 a month on a 12-month membership, per The Pricer. Not for skin that is rashy, blistered or weeping. Plant oil can linger on clothing and objects, so tell a therapist about any recent plant exposure.
MBHA Wellness Coach Prevention habits: learn the plants where you live and play, dress and wash up after outdoor work, keep plants out of reach of children and pets, save the Poison Control number, manage pollen at home, and keep a list of herbs and supplements. Cost estimate being researched. Supports — never replaces — medical care. Small routines, like a wash-up after gardening, prevent many problems.

Approach 1 of 6

Conventional medicine (AMA)

Conventional care depends on the type of problem; the sections below give detail. For poison ivy, oak and sumac, the steps are rinsing off the oil, washing clothing and tools, soothing the rash, and seeing a clinician for a severe, widespread or facial rash. The FDA lists topical steroids and prescription oral steroids among treatment options (FDA). A medical review says localized rashes are usually managed with topical steroids and supportive care, while extensive or severe disease needs steroids by mouth with an adequate taper so the rash does not rebound (Lofgran et al.). Poison Control adds that prescription-strength steroids can help if started early, and that over-the-counter steroid products are not strong enough for poison ivy (Poison Control).

For sun-triggered plant burns, wash the area, keep it out of the sun, and see a doctor; early topical steroids can reduce the reaction (NY DEC). For swallowed plants and mushrooms, Poison Control guides what to do and works with the emergency room when needed (Poison Control). For pollen allergy, a pharmacist can suggest antihistamines or steroid nasal sprays, with allergy treatment for those who need more (NHS). The NHS notes that a doctor may refer you to a skin specialist if the cause of a contact rash can’t be found or treatment isn’t working (NHS). We don’t list doses.

What it costs

Poison Control’s advice, by phone or online, is free (Poison Control). Cost estimate for clinic visits and prescriptions being researched.

Find a medical doctor in our directory

Approach 2 of 6

Chiropractic

Chiropractic care has no role in treating a plant rash, plant poisoning or pollen allergy, and we found little research linking it to any of these problems. If you have a plant rash, MBHA suggests telling the office before your visit, since plant oil can stay on clothing and objects until washed off (FDA). Swelling of the face or throat, trouble breathing or a swallowed plant should go to emergency care or Poison Control first.

Safety

NCCIH reports that mild soreness, stiffness or headache often follow spinal manipulation and usually pass within about a day, serious problems are very rare, and neck-focused manipulation has been linked to rare tears in neck arteries that can lead to stroke (NCCIH).

What it costs

The Pricer lists about $55 to $100 for a self-pay follow-up visit and $90 to $200 for a first appointment (The Pricer). Medicare covers only adjustments of the spine by a chiropractor to correct a subluxation (Medicare.gov).

Find a chiropractor in our directory

Approach 3 of 6

Acupuncture

Acupuncture has no established role in treating poison ivy, plant burns or poisoning, and in our searches we found little research on it for plant-caused skin reactions. A 2025 review of complementary treatments in dermatology found that most of the approaches it covered had statistically insignificant results, and that studies reporting benefits often had flawed designs (Ufomadu et al., 2025). That review does not single out poison ivy, so we simply say the evidence is thin.

Safety

NCCIH says relatively few complications have been reported, but nonsterile needles and improper technique have caused infections, punctured organs and nervous-system injury; the FDA requires acupuncture needles to be sterile and single-use (NCCIH). MBHA suggests that needles should not go through a blistered, weeping, broken or infected rash.

What it costs

The Pricer lists about $90 to $185 per follow-up visit and up to about $230 for a first private appointment, with community acupuncture around $50 to $90 (The Pricer). Medicare covers acupuncture only for chronic low back pain (Medicare.gov).

Find an acupuncturist in our directory

Approach 4 of 6

Herbal medicine

Plants are the cause of the trouble in this guide, so herbal care here is mostly about safety: folk remedies for poison ivy, mistaking one plant for another, and how herbs interact with medicines. Our Medication Safety guide has more on checking interactions.

Jewelweed for poison ivy

Jewelweed (Impatiens) is the best-known folk remedy. The research is small and mixed.

  • A 1997 pilot study of 10 adults used urushiol patch tests. A jewelweed stem extract did no better than distilled water, and the authors concluded it was not effective for treating the dermatitis (Long et al., 1997).
  • A 2012 study brushed poison ivy on volunteers’ forearms. Jewelweed mash reduced dermatitis and extracts did not; soaps made from the extracts worked, but no better than jewelweed-free soaps. The authors concluded jewelweed helps prevent the rash but soap is more effective (Abrams Motz et al., 2012).
  • A 2015 follow-up with 23 volunteers found that saponin-containing extracts and all soaps tested reduced the rash, suggesting the soapy component may be what helps (Motz et al., 2015).

These studies point back to the basic step: wash the oil off with soap. A 2022 systematic review of nine clinical trials with 450 participants found almost all showed herbal products helped contact dermatitis in general, but the authors said the trials were too few, too different in method and quality, and too limited on safety to draw firm conclusions (Rastegar et al., 2022).

Wild plants are not always what they seem

Poison Control describes adults who ate pokeweed roots, mistaking them for medicinal plants, and then developed serious symptoms, including bloody vomiting and diarrhea and low blood pressure (Poison Control). It also warns that people have died after mistaking hemlock for wild carrots (Poison Control). MBHA suggests that foraging for medicinal plants is best done with an expert on the ground, never from a picture alone.

Herbs, supplements and your medicines

  • MedlinePlus says “natural” does not necessarily mean safe: herbal medicines do not have to go through the testing drugs do, some herbs such as comfrey and ephedra can cause serious harm, and some interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines (MedlinePlus).
  • NCCIH adds that the FDA generally cannot review supplements for safety before they are sold, that a label may not match what is in the product, that St. John’s wort makes many medicines less effective, and that kava supplements can cause liver disease (NCCIH).
  • A review summarized by Poison Control found 1,491 documented interactions between medicines and herbs or other supplements, and urged people to tell every provider and pharmacist about everything they take (Poison Control).
  • Plant allergies can cross over: chamomile cross-reacts with other members of the chrysanthemum family, and Poison Control advises checking with a child’s provider before giving any herbal tea or supplement (Poison Control).

What it costs

Cost estimate being researched.

Approach 5 of 6

Massage therapy

Massage has no role in treating a plant rash, plant poisoning or pollen allergy, and we found little research on the topic. It may help with stress or muscle tension once skin has healed. NCCIH says the risk of harm from massage appears low, though rare serious problems such as a blood clot, nerve injury or fracture have been reported, mostly with vigorous massage or in people at higher risk of injury (NCCIH). Because urushiol can stay on clothing and objects until washed off (FDA), MBHA suggests telling a therapist about any recent exposure and waiting until a rash has healed and contaminated clothing is washed.

What it costs

One national chain, Massage Envy, lists memberships of about $70 to $90 a month on a 12-month term, per The Pricer (The Pricer).

Find a massage therapist in our directory

Approach 6 of 6

MBHA Wellness Coach

A wellness coach does not treat a rash or poisoning. A coach can help you build the habits that prevent plant problems and a safety plan you will actually use.

What it costs

Cost estimate being researched.

Another approach

Poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac: what to do

Right after contact

  1. Wash the skin. The FDA says to wash with soap and cool water as soon as possible; the sooner the skin is cleansed, the better the chance of removing the oil (FDA). Poison Control suggests lukewarm, soapy water and says common dish-washing liquid may work as well as special “poison ivy soaps” (Poison Control). NIOSH suggests rubbing alcohol, a poison plant wash or dish soap with plenty of water, rinsing often so wash solutions don’t dry on the skin, and scrubbing under the fingernails (CDC/NIOSH).
  2. Deal with the clothes. Poison Control suggests setting clothing aside where no one will touch it, moving it with tongs into the washing machine, and running a full cycle with detergent (Poison Control). NIOSH says to wash exposed clothing separately in hot water with detergent (CDC/NIOSH).
  3. Clean tools and gear. The oil can stick to tools, gloves and backpacks and cause a new rash (Poison Control). NIOSH says to clean tools with rubbing alcohol or soap and plenty of water, wearing disposable gloves (CDC/NIOSH). The FDA says the oil can linger on surfaces for years until washed off (FDA); NIOSH says up to five years (CDC/NIOSH).
  4. Wash the pet. Pets are usually not sensitive, but fur can carry the oil to people. The FDA suggests pet shampoo and water while wearing rubber gloves (FDA).

Caring for the rash at home

  • Don’t scratch; bacteria under the fingernails can cause infection (FDA). Leave blisters alone and don’t remove the loose skin of open blisters (Poison Control).
  • Cool it down. Wet compresses or cool-water soaks relieve itching (FDA). Short lukewarm baths or cool showers help; hot water can worsen the itch (Poison Control).
  • Over-the-counter options by class (follow the label; ask a pharmacist if you take other medicines or are pregnant). The FDA lists zinc-based or calamine skin protectants, which dry weeping skin; baking soda and colloidal oatmeal for minor itching; the astringent aluminum acetate; and over-the-counter topical steroids (FDA). NIOSH says hydrocortisone cream can reduce itching and blistering, but not on broken skin (CDC/NIOSH).
  • Antihistamines: the sources disagree. NIOSH says diphenhydramine can help with itching but may cause drowsiness (CDC/NIOSH). One Poison Control article says antihistamine tablets can reduce itching (Poison Control); another says the reaction does not involve histamine, so antihistamines are ineffective (Poison Control). Both advise against antihistamine creams or lotions, which can worsen the rash. A pharmacist can help you sort this out.

Prescription steroids

For rashes that are severe, widespread, on the face or genitals, or not controlled by home care, a clinician may prescribe a stronger steroid. By class: steroid creams or ointments for localized areas, and steroids by mouth (such as prednisone) for severe or extensive rashes (Lofgran et al., Poison Control). Poison Control says they work best when started early (Poison Control), and a review says oral steroids should be tapered adequately to prevent rebound (Lofgran et al.). In a study of more than 100,000 insurance claims, shorter oral steroid courses were linked to more return visits, and the authors suggested clinicians consider a longer course when there is no reason not to (Butt et al., 2022). Poison Control describes a gardener whose rash worsened despite lotions, special washes and ice; oral steroids from an urgent care clinic helped her improve within days (Poison Control). We don’t list doses.

Prevention

Desensitizing treatment?

A 2026 systematic review of six studies with 410 participants looked at giving very small oral amounts of urushiol to build tolerance. Most studies reported promising results with minimal side effects, but the review said more research is needed to establish efficacy and safety (Barton et al., 2026). It is not something to try on your own with plant material.

What it costs

Cost estimate being researched.

Another approach

Myths and plant identification: what to believe

  • Myth: scratching or blister fluid spreads the rash. The FDA says the rash appears only where the oil touched the skin and blister fluid cannot spread it; a rash that seems to spread may reflect oil absorbing at different rates, repeated contact with contaminated objects, or oil trapped under fingernails (FDA). NIOSH and Poison Control agree about blister fluid (CDC/NIOSH, Poison Control).
  • Myth: you can catch it from someone with a rash. The FDA says the rash is not contagious (FDA). The catch is leftover oil on skin, clothes or pet fur, which Poison Control says can reach another person until washed off (Poison Control).
  • Myth: “leaves of three, let it be” covers everything. NIOSH says it helps with poison ivy and oak but not poison sumac, which has seven to 13 leaves on a stem, and that lookalike plants grow in the same areas (CDC/NIOSH).
  • Myth: dead plants are harmless. Dried leaves and stems still contain urushiol (Poison Control).
  • Myth: you can spot a safe wild mushroom. Poison Control says unless you are very experienced you can’t tell, cooking doesn’t make a poisonous mushroom safe, and it is never safe to eat a wild mushroom unless an identification expert says so (Poison Control).

Identifying plants carefully

New York State’s DEC lists several lookalikes of giant hogweed, including cow parsnip, wild parsnip, poison hemlock and pokeweed, some of which can also burn or poison (NY DEC). For a swallowed plant, Poison Control says to find out its name, since expert help depends on accurate identification (Poison Control). MBHA suggests saving a sample or clear photo for the call.

Another approach

Nettle, giant hogweed and other skin-irritating plants

Stinging nettle

Nettle exposure causes an immediate stinging and burning sensation. In a laboratory study on mouse skin, nettle spines pierced the skin, leading researchers to conclude the effect is both mechanical and biochemical (Cummings and Olsen, 2011). We did not find a government health page devoted to nettle-sting first aid. For plant injuries in general, Poison Control suggests washing thoroughly with plenty of running water and soap, using over-the-counter steroid cream for itching if needed (antihistamines may help too), and contacting a provider if symptoms worsen or signs of infection appear, such as red streaks, swelling or pus. It also says to check with your provider if your tetanus shot is more than five years old (Poison Control).

Giant hogweed and sun-triggered burns

New York State’s DEC says giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) is a plant not to touch. Brushing or breaking it releases sap; with sunlight and moisture a severe burn can develop within 24 to 48 hours, a reaction can start as soon as 15 minutes after contact, and painful blisters can become dark. Scars typically last a few months but may last up to six years. All parts of the plant, including the seeds, can burn (NY DEC). Poison Control says reactions peak around three days and can last weeks to months in severe cases (Poison Control). A review of plant burns says the diagnosis is straightforward with a detailed history and matters so treatment is appropriate and the injury is not mistaken for non-accidental injury (Baker et al., 2017); tell your clinician about any recent plant contact.

DEC says giant hogweed is established in New England, the Mid-Atlantic and the Northwest (NY DEC); Poison Control describes a woman farming in Sonoma County, California whose blisters were likely due to it (Poison Control). Related plants such as cow parsnip and wild parsnip can burn too (NY DEC), as in a case of an 11-year-old whose arms blistered after clearing cow parsnip weeds and stayed darker for months (Poison Control). See our Burns guide for general burn care. Poison Control also lists English ivy, which can cause an allergic reaction in gardeners who trim it (Poison Control).

What it costs

Cost estimate being researched.

Another approach

If a plant, berry or mushroom is swallowed

  1. Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or use its online tool. MedlinePlus lists indoor and outdoor plants among poisons (MedlinePlus); Poison Control says help is free, confidential and available 24 hours a day (Poison Control).
  2. Call 911 instead for trouble breathing or swallowing or swelling of the face, mouth or throat (MedlinePlus), or heavy drooling and severe mouth swelling after chewing a houseplant such as dumbcane (Poison Control).
  3. Have the plant name ready if you can, since expert help depends on accurate identification. Poison Control’s website has an illustrated list of selected plants; for one not on the list, use its online tool or call (Poison Control).

Not every plant is dangerous, and even non-poisonous plants can cause choking (Poison Control); let the poison specialist tell you which situation you are in.

Prevention for families

Poison Control advises keeping indoor plants where children can’t reach them, watching young children outdoors, teaching children to ask an adult before eating or drinking anything, and eating wild plants only if you know for certain what they are (Poison Control). Its illustrated list of poisonous plants includes azalea and rhododendron, daffodil, foxglove, holly, iris, lily-of-the-valley, oleander, mistletoe, pothos, philodendron and yew, among others (Poison Control). See also our Drug Overdose guide for general poisoning information; see our Children guide.

Common houseplants

  • Dumbcane (Dieffenbachia) and philodendron contain calcium oxalate crystals. Chewing causes immediate mouth pain and swelling; sap on skin can cause rash, and sap in the eye can cause irritation and, rarely, permanent damage. For a swallowed piece, Poison Control suggests rinsing the mouth and spitting, ice chips for pain and not forcing fluids; for skin contact, washing with soap and water for 15 minutes; and for eye contact, irrigating with water for at least 15 minutes (Poison Control).
  • Poinsettia is not deadly despite old stories: it may cause mild nausea, vomiting or diarrhea if swallowed and a rash if touched, and is a choking hazard (Poison Control). Pets chewing it can have mouth irritation and stomach upset (Poison Control).
  • Holly leaves are prickly and its berries can be poisonous (Poison Control).
  • Easter lily and cats. Small amounts of any part can cause dangerous symptoms and death from kidney failure in cats, with no specific antidote; vet treatment must begin within about 18 hours. The plant is not poisonous to children, though pieces can cause choking (Poison Control). Call your vet immediately if your cat chews any lily.

If a pet seems ill after getting into a plant, food or decoration, call your veterinarian right away (Poison Control). Our Animals & Pets guide covers comfort care for pets.

Wild mushrooms and berries

Never eat a wild mushroom unless an identification expert says it is safe. Symptoms range from vomiting and diarrhea to hallucinations and, with a few types, liver damage that may require a transplant, and they can be delayed for many hours. If you think someone has eaten one, call a poison center right away; the specialists work with mushroom experts and the emergency room (Poison Control). Berries can fool children: Poison Control describes a toddler with purple juice on his hands and mouth near what looked like pokeberries; his mother called a poison center, was advised to give him something to drink and eat, wash his skin and watch him at home, and he was fine (Poison Control).

What it costs

Poison Control’s help is free (Poison Control). Emergency room costs: being researched.

Another approach

Plant pollen allergy (hay fever), briefly

Each spring, summer and fall, trees, weeds and grasses release pollen into the air, and some ends up in the nose and throat, triggering hay fever (MedlinePlus). The NHS describes it as an allergic reaction to the fine powder plants produce. Symptoms include sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, itchy red or watery eyes, an itchy throat, cough and tiredness (NHS).

  • Self-care: the NHS suggests petroleum jelly around the nostrils, wraparound sunglasses or a hat, showering and changing clothes after being outside, keeping windows shut, and damp dusting. It suggests not cutting grass, not drying clothes outside and not keeping fresh flowers in the house, and notes pets can carry pollen indoors. There is no cure, but symptoms can be eased (NHS).
  • Medicines by class: a pharmacist can suggest antihistamines (non-drowsy ones are available) or steroid nasal sprays; a doctor may prescribe a steroid treatment and, if others fail, refer you for immunotherapy (NHS). MedlinePlus notes nasal rinses should use distilled or sterilized water with saline, and allergy shots can make you less sensitive to pollen (MedlinePlus).

See our Allergies guide, and for wheezing triggered by pollen, our Asthma guide.

What it costs

Cost estimate being researched.

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