Poison ivy rash treatment at Urgent Care Center of Westmont in Westmont, IL for children and adults. Our team, led by board-certified physicians, calms itching and swelling and checks for infection.
Poison ivy grows across the continental United States, including Illinois. Its oil, urushiol, causes an itchy, red, blistering rash that usually appears 12 to 72 hours after contact and lasts one to three weeks. Urgent Care Center of Westmont, also known as Immediate Care Center of Westmont, treats poison ivy, oak and sumac rashes in Westmont, IL.
Come in if the rash is spreading, keeps you up at night, or affects your face or genitals. Go to the ER for trouble breathing or swallowing.
Key facts
Poison ivy grows throughout the U.S. except Alaska, Hawaii and parts of the West Coast, as a vine or a low shrub, per the FDA.
Each leaf has three leaflets, and the leaves change color with the seasons.
Wash skin with soap and cool water as soon as possible after touching the plant.
Over-the-counter options such as calamine, zinc oxide, colloidal oatmeal and 1% hydrocortisone can ease the itch of a mild rash.
Poison ivy symptoms and how the rash spreads
The CDC says an amount of urushiol smaller than a grain of salt causes a rash in 80 to 90 percent of adults. Signs include:
Severe itching
Red lines or patches where leaves brushed the skin
Bumps and blisters that may weep
Swelling
The rash is not contagious, and blister fluid does not spread it. New spots can appear if oil is still on your skin, clothing, gloves, garden tools or a pet's fur. Dead vines and roots still carry the oil, so exposure can happen in any season. Never burn poison ivy: smoke can carry the oil into your lungs.
How we treat poison ivy at our Westmont, IL clinic
Your provider examines the rash, asks about the exposure and your past reactions, and checks for infection. Care depends on how much skin is involved:
Mild rash: home care advice and options to ease the itch
Widespread or severe rash, or a rash on the face: topical or oral prescription medicine may be recommended to reduce inflammation
Infected skin from scratching: evaluation and treatment of the infection
Home care tips from dermatologists: wash skin right away with warm, soapy water or rubbing alcohol; wash clothes, tools and pets; use cool compresses, calamine lotion or cool oatmeal baths; and do not scratch or pop blisters.
We accept most major plans, including Blue Cross Blue Shield (PPO), BCBS Advocate Good Samaritan (HMO), BCBS Medicaid Community, Cigna, Humana, UnitedHealthcare, Medicare, Meridian, CountyCare, Multiplan/PHCS, ACPN, USAMCO and State of Illinois Benefit Plans. Coverage for lab work depends on your plan, so please call (630) 324-6825 to confirm before you come. Details are on our cost and insurance page.
No insurance, or prefer not to use it? We offer flat, upfront self-pay urgent care pricing, with a general visit from $125. Ask us about the cost of any lab test before it is ordered.
Both of our locations are open Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM, and Saturday and Sunday, 9 AM to 5 PM. The main clinic is at 29 N Cass Ave, Ste A, Westmont, IL 60559. Our second location, inside Jewel-Osco, is at 4 E Ogden Ave, Westmont, IL 60559. Walk in, or check in online to save your place.
Poison ivy vs. poison oak vs. poison sumac
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How to tell the plants apart, based on the FDA
Plant
Leaves
Where it grows
Poison ivy
Three leaflets per leaf; color changes by season
Most of the U.S., including Illinois, as a climbing vine or low shrub
Poison oak
Three fuzzy leaflets that are lobed or deeply toothed
Low shrubs in the East and South; tall clumps or vines on the Pacific Coast
Poison sumac
7 to 13 smooth-edged leaflets per stem
Tall shrubs or small trees in bogs and swamps of the Northeast, Midwest and parts of the Southeast
All three carry the same oil, urushiol, and cause the same rash. Around Westmont, IL, poison ivy often climbs fences, tree trunks and the edges of yards and trails. Read how to tell if it's a poison ivy rash and see our poison oak treatment page.
Poison ivy timeline: what happens and what helps
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A typical course for a mild to moderate rash
Time after contact
What usually happens
What helps
Right away
Oil is on your skin, clothes, tools or pet
Wash skin with soap and cool water; wash clothes, gloves, tools and pets
12 to 72 hours
Itchy, red rash appears, often in streaks
Cool compresses, calamine or 1% hydrocortisone
Days 4 to 7
Rash is often at its worst; blisters may weep
Cool soaks, aluminum acetate (Burow's) soaks, no scratching
1 to 3 weeks
Blisters dry and crust; rash fades
Keep skin clean; see a clinician if it is not improving
Home care that helps
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Cool, wet compresses or cool-water soaks several times a day.
Over-the-counter 1% hydrocortisone cream on small areas, following the label.
Skin protectants such as calamine, zinc oxide, baking soda or colloidal oatmeal baths.
Aluminum acetate soaks, an astringent the FDA lists for drying weeping blisters.
An oral antihistamine may help you sleep through the itch, as MedlinePlus notes. Follow the label, since some cause drowsiness.
Keep nails short. The FDA warns that bacteria under fingernails can infect scratched blisters.
Scratching does not spread the rash, but it can lead to infection. New spots usually come from oil still on skin, clothes or objects.
How long does poison ivy last?
Usually one to three weeks. Symptoms are often worst 4 to 7 days after exposure.
Can my dog give me poison ivy?
Yes, if the oil is on its fur. Bathe the pet while wearing rubber gloves.
Do I need an appointment?
No. Walk in, or check in online for poison ivy treatment .
Can poison ivy spread in bed or on sheets?
Only if urushiol oil is still on your skin, clothes or pet when you get into bed. Once you have showered and washed everything that touched the plant, the rash itself does not spread through sheets. Washing bedding is a reasonable precaution. Read more in will poison ivy spread on sheets?
Does hydrocortisone cream work on poison ivy?
Over-the-counter 1% hydrocortisone can ease itching and redness on small areas. For a widespread rash or one on the face, a clinician may recommend stronger topical or oral medicine. The FDA lists both over-the-counter and prescription corticosteroids among the options.
When should I go to urgent care for poison ivy?
The FDA suggests seeing a clinician if your temperature is over 100°F, the rash has pus or soft yellow scabs, itching keeps you awake, the rash reaches your eyes, mouth or genitals, it covers more than a quarter of your skin, or it is not improving after a few weeks. Walk in or check in online.
Should I pop poison ivy blisters?
No. Leave blisters alone and let them dry on their own. Popping them does not spread the rash, but it opens the skin to infection. Cool soaks and aluminum acetate solutions help weeping blisters dry.
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PJ S. · January 2025 · Google★★★★★
“Amazing ! Was called back way before my appt time & was in and out in less than 30 minutes ! Staff was super friendly & helpful. Made my son feel comfortable! Would 100% recommend !”
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“I was in and out and staff was very friendly. I love that for them.”
