Poison ivy rash typically develops within 12 to 48 hours after exposure to the plant's oil, urushiol, and usually lasts about 1 to 3 weeks before clearing up on its own
. The rash goes through stages including itching, redness, raised bumps, blisters, and then crusting over as it heals
- For people who have had poison ivy rash before, the rash tends to last 1 to 14 days
- For first-time exposures, the rash can last up to 3 weeks or longer
- Severe cases may last longer and cover more of the body
The rash itself is not contagious, but urushiol oil can remain on skin, clothing, or pets and cause new rashes if not thoroughly washed off
. Scratching should be avoided to prevent infection and worsening symptoms
. In summary, poison ivy rash generally lasts from about 1 to 3 weeks, depending on prior sensitivity, amount of exposure, and care taken to remove urushiol and avoid scratching
