Plants That Cause Rashes: Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, and Others
Skin ConditionsPoison Ivy

Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, and 7 Other Plants That Cause Rashes

Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, and 7 Other Plants That Cause Rashes
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Updated on February 20, 2026
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Do you know which plants can give you a skin rash? It’s not just poison ivy.

Being out in nature is good for body, mind, and spirit, but when you come home from your nature walk with an itchy rash — or develop one soon afterward — that innocent outdoor stroll can seem more stress-inducing than relaxing.

Chances are, that rash was caused by brushing against a common plant, such as poison ivy. But there are many other plants that can cause contact dermatitis — skin inflammation caused by an irritant or a substance that produces an allergic reaction — or shorter-lived burning or itching.

9 Plants That Cause Rashes

Here are nine plants that can cause rashes. Learn what these irritating plants look like and where you might encounter them so you can avoid them on your next outdoor adventure.

1. Poison Ivy

Poison Ivy
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Poison ivy is found across the United States (except for Alaska and Hawaii). While you could come into contact with it while hiking in the woods, poison ivy grows virtually everywhere — along roadsides, on fences, in backyards.

Poison ivy leaves grow in clusters of three on vines that can grow up into trees or trail along the ground. The oily compound called urushiol is what causes poison ivy’s notorious rash, and this is found in every part of the plant: the vine, the roots, the leaves, the flowers, and the berries.

 The compound is also found in other plants that cause rashes (more on those plants below).
Up to 90 percent of people who come into contact with the poison ivy oil end up with irritation.

A poison ivy rash typically appears a few days after exposure. If this is your first time in contact with the plant, it may take a week or two. When it does, you’ll know it: You may see red skin, swelling and blisters could develop, and you’ll feel a serious itch.

Depending on your skin tone and sensitivity, redness is common, alongside continued, severe itching and swelling in the first few days, followed by blisters breaking and leaking fluid. Blisters will crust over, and the rash will eventually dissipate with two to three weeks.

You might notice the rash in different parts of your body after exposure. Because the rash is caused by the oil of the plant, it is likely that you touched an exposed area and then another body part, spreading the oil. This can also occur if you touched another person who had been exposed or handled a tool that had touched the plant.

You cannot get the rash from touching another person’s rash or from an expressed poison ivy blister, unless there is still oil from the plant left behind.

To treat a poison ivy rash at home, Viktoryia Kazlouskaya, MD, PhD, a dermatologist at Dermatology Circle in New York City, says to immediately wash the area with soap and water. Keep the water cool to avoid further opening pores.

Use a soap designed to address poison ivy oils, dish soap, or even laundry detergent. Whichever you choose, be gentle, as rubbing the oil into your skin leads to the reaction.

A strong corticosteroid skin cream or ointment can help with the inflammation. Your doctor may prescribe other medication if the inflammation is severe, to either suppress your immune system or to help further reduce the reaction. Anti-itch topical creams, such as calamine lotion, may also help.

2. Poison Oak

Poison Oak
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While poison oak’s mature leaves somewhat resemble those of an English oak, the two are not related. Poison oak is similar to poison ivy in that the plant is found throughout the United States. It grows in forests as well as in dry spots, like sandy fields. Throughout the eastern and southern parts of the United States, poison oak often grows as a shrub, while it typically shows up as a vine in the western part of the country.

Poison oak has deep green leaves with rounded ends that grow in clusters of three on a firm stem. The underside of the leaf is lighter in color and fuzzy alongside its yellow flowers and berries.

Also like poison ivy, every part of a poison oak plant contains urushiol in all of its sections, meaning that any part of the plant can cause a rash if you come into contact. “Exposure is easy because urushiol can be transmitted through contaminated clothing, tools, or pets,” says Dr. Kazlouskaya.

A poison oak rash looks and progresses similarly to a poison ivy rash and should be treated the same way.

3. Poison Sumac

Poison Sumac
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Poison sumac is another plant found throughout the United States that contains urushiol. It grows as a shrub or small tree in swampy or wet environments, such as near stream banks and ponds and in wetlands, often in parts of the Southeast, as well as the Northeast and Midwest.

You can recognize poison sumac by its stems that branch off the main trunk and its compound leaves, each with seven to 13 green, smooth-edged leaflets. Poison sumac berries are pale cream, green, or yellow. Sumacs that aren’t poisonous have red berries.

Similar to poison ivy and poison oak, every part of the poison sumac plant can cause a rash if you come in contact with it. The rash also looks similar and should be treated the same way.

4. Wood Nettle

Wood Nettle
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Wood nettle is an herbaceous plant typically found in moist areas of woodlands. It tends to grow in large, dense patches, which can provide cover for wildlife.

It stands about 2 to 4 feet tall and has light to medium green stems covered with stiff white hairs that sting if you rub against them. The leaves of the wood nettle plant are medium to dark green, roughly oval shaped, and serrated, with a zigzag stem.

Young leaves are densely covered with stinging hairs, while older leaves tend to have fewer of them, often located on the underside of the leaf. In summer the wood nettle blooms, with lacy strands of white flowers.

The sting from wood nettle usually subsides within an hour

 but may result in a swollen, risen, or red patch of hives.

 You may also be able to reduce the irritation by pouring water over the irritated area when you notice the stinging, then washing the area with soap and water. Kazlouskaya recommends using a cool compress after washing.

5. Stinging Nettle

Stinging Nettle
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Stinging nettle is the best-known member of the nettle family. It grows throughout the United States as well as in Europe, Asia, and North Africa.

 The plant tends to grow in dense patches near streams, along hiking trails, in ditches, and around farmland, often where the earth has been disturbed.

Stinging nettle and wood nettle are often confused, as both have hairs on their leaves that cause stings. A way to tell the difference is that wood nettle has alternating leaves, while stinging nettle’s leaves are opposite from each other.

The thin and square stems of stinging nettle are singular, with few branches, and can grow 6 to 8 feet tall. The stems may be green or purple and may or may not have stinging hairs. The petioles (stem parts of the leaf) and undersides of the leaves also have stinging hairs.

The leaves of stinging nettle are longer than they are wide, and dark green, two to four inches long, with a tapered tip. Clusters of whitish flowers grow at the base of each pair of leaves along the stem.

The touch of a stinging hair causes irritation due to the microscopic injection of histamine, acetylcholine, serotonin, and formic acid.

Coming into contact with stinging nettle causes an immediate sharp, painful sting, followed by a burning sensation and sometimes itching. The irritation can linger for several hours and cause hives near the site of contact which can last up to 24 hours.

As after contact with stinging nettle, washing with soap and water followed by a cool compress is the recommended at-home treatment.

6. Baby’s Breath

Baby’s Breath
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If you’ve ever gotten a flower arrangement from a florist, chances are it included clusters of the tiny white or pink flowers known as baby’s breath. You might also see baby’s breath in cultivated perennial gardens.

Baby’s breath flowers are very small, with five petals across each of the branch tips. These fragrant flowers come at the top of thin branches and can grow in a bush naturally.

Baby’s breath generally isn't an irritant while it’s still alive, but when it’s dried, it can irritate the eyes and nose. Baby’s breath can also cause asthma in people who touch it frequently.

 Though mild, baby’s breath irritation on the skin can also lead to contact dermatitis.
Symptoms of contact dermatitis can include the following:

  • Flaking or scaling
  • Itching
  • Darkening of surrounding skin
  • A hivelike appearance or swelling of the affected area
  • A risen collection of bumps
  • Oozing or pus
Contact dermatitis caused by baby’s breath is usually minor and temporary, but people who have become sensitized to baby’s breath and have asthma reactions should stop handling it.

7. Leadwort

Leadwort
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Leadwort, also known as plumbago, is a mainly tropical shrub, but it can also be grown in the southern half of the United States. It is sometimes used by gardeners as a ground cover because of its tendency to spread underground and form a mat of plants.

Leadwort usually grows to between 6 and 10 inches tall, with thin and straight stems and shiny green leaves that turn red in autumn. Leadwort’s flowers are five petaled and medium blue; they bloom in late spring or early summer, and last until the first frost.

Direct contact with the plant is discouraged, as it can cause skin irritation that can lead to blistering. All parts of the plant, from its roots to its flowers, have the potential to cause a reaction, so use gloves if you’re handling it or planting it in your garden.

If your bare hands come in contact with the plant, wash your hands and consider using an over-the-counter corticosteroid if needed.

8. Ragweed

Ragweed
Daniel Radicevic/Alamy
Common ragweed has delicate, deeply lobed leaflets that are medium-green in color. The flowers — and sources of pollen — grow in “spikes” from the top of the plant and elongate over the summer.

Another type of ragweed, called Giant Ragweed, has similar flower spikes but very different leaves. The leaves at the bottom of the stalk have three or sometimes five lobes, while the leaves at the top of the plant are elliptical.

“Ragweed more commonly causes respiratory allergy (hay fever), but contact with skin may result in redness, itching, or hives,” Kazlouskaya says.

Ragweed is best known for causing hay fever, or seasonal allergic rhinitis, in the fall. But it can also cause a rash in people who are allergic to ragweed pollen. Depending on your skin tone, the rash may appear as itchy red streaks on the skin or swollen eyelids.

The irritation caused by ragweed comes from its pollen, which is very light and, with the help of the wind, has the potential to drift as much as a couple miles above the plant. The ragweed plant is a soft-stemmed weed, often flowering in August or September. It grows in every state except Alaska, and allergies tend to be worse in the Midwest and on the East Coast.

A ragweed rash can develop after a person directly touches the plant pollen or is exposed to airborne pollen, making it difficult to avoid. Those with eczema, asthma, or a family history of allergies, and those who are more susceptible to ragweed reactions, can take precautions, like being mindful of the pollen count or drying your clothes indoors. But preventive measures such as taking antihistamines on a regular basis may aid in your reaction. Over-the-counter and prescription medications are available for treating all of your symptoms, including corticosteroids in the event of a rash. Other treatments include nasal corticosteroid sprays like fluticasone and decongestants like pseudoephedrine for respiratory symptoms.

9. Giant Hogweed

Giant Hogweed
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Giant hogweed is an invasive plant in Europe and North America. The plant is listed as a noxious weed in the United States.

 This means it has the potential to cause harm, either directly or indirectly, to agriculture, livestock, the environment, or public health at large.

You can recognize giant hogweed in part by its size: It can grow to 14 feet or higher and has hollow, rigid stems two to four inches in diameter. Its deeply lobed, compound leaves can grow up to 5 feet across, and its white, umbrella-shaped flower heads, can be up to 2.5 feet across. The stems of giant hogweed are green with purple splotches and coarse, white hairs.

Contact with the sap of giant hogweed can cause serious skin and eye irritation, blistering, and scarring. Kazlouskaya says that giant hogweed sap causes a rash only after sun exposure. “This is called phytophotodermatitis, a rash that happens when plant chemicals on the skin are activated by UV light. The rash is typically painful, but not very itchy; is often in sun-exposed areas; and may resemble poison ivy,” she says. ”Blisters can also form, sometimes leaving scars or dark pigmentation.”

If you touch giant hogweed — or think you might have — keep the exposed area away from sunlight for 48 hours and wash it with soap and cold water as soon as possible. The skin rash may look like a second-degree burn and can leave you with long-lasting scars and sensitivity to sunlight. Topical steroids like hydrocortisone can reduce severity and discomfort, especially when applied early. Blindness can occur if sap gets into your eyes, so if this happens, rinse them quickly with water and wear sunglasses. If you have a reaction, be sure to see a physician.

Treating Plant Rash Symptoms at Home

The severity of reactions to plants like poison ivy, oak, and sumac can depend on your previous exposure, but they generally resolve themselves within a couple of weeks. At-home remedies such as warm baths, cool compresses, anti-itch creams, and antihistamines are often enough to manage symptoms until the reaction subsides.

Because wood nettle, stinging nettle, baby's breath, leadwort, and ragweed can cause contact dermatitis, stopping any additional exposure and washing with soap and water as soon as possible is the immediate recommendation.

If you need a topical treatment, you can opt for these over-the-counter topical treatments:

When to Seek Medical Care for a Plant Rash

“You should see a board-certified dermatologist when the rash is worsening, spreading, or covering large areas; or if you have severe blistering, open skin lesions, or involvement of the face, eyes, or genitals,” Kazlouskaya says.

She says that most of the reactions to these plants are considered mild and can be managed at home, but you should consider seeking medical support if you are experiencing the following:

  • Pain or itching that is not improving after seven days
  • Rash or burns that cover a large section of skin
  • Rash in sensitive areas, like the eyes or genitals
  • Signs of infection, such as red streaks, fever, or worsened swelling
  • Swelling of the face or throat, trouble breathing, or other signs of possible anaphylaxis

The Takeaway

  • Poison ivy, poison oak, and giant hogweed are just a few plants that cause contact dermatitis or serious skin reactions.
  • Washing affected areas with soap and water as soon as contact is made can help minimize the reaction to plants like poison ivy and stinging nettle.
  • Proper identification of these plants can prevent exposure, while wearing protective clothing during potential contact can reduce risks.
  • Topical corticosteroid creams and oral antihistamines can help manage inflammation and itching. Seek medical attention for severe exposure and long-lasting or severe symptoms.

FAQ

What is a common cause of an itchy rash after being outdoors?
Brushing against plants like poison ivy, poison oak, and other plants is a common cause of contact dermatitis (skin inflammation) or a burning or itching skin sensation.
Urushiol, which can be found in every part of the poison ivy plant.
A strong corticosteroid cream or ointment can help with inflammation, and doctors may prescribe other medication for severe reactions. Anti-itch creams may also provide relief.
Poison oak causes similar symptoms and reactions as poison ivy: red, itchy skin, blisters, and a serious itch. Treatment for poison oak is also the same as it is for poison ivy: a topical corticosteroid cream or ointment and other medication if the inflammation is severe. Topical anti-itch creams may also provide relief.
Be aware that contact with the sap of giant hogweed can cause serious skin and eye irritation. Avoid touching it, but if an area is exposed, keep it out of sunlight for 48 hours and wash it with soap and cold water. If sap gets in your eyes, rinse them with water and wear sunglasses. Seek medical attention if a reaction occurs.
With additional reporting by Zuri White-Gibson.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Recognizing Poison Ivy, Oak and Sumac. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. May 16, 2025.
  2. Poison Ivy Rash. Mayo Clinic. May 15, 2024.
  3. Poison Ivy, Poison Oak and Poison Sumac. Cleveland Clinic. May 5, 2023.
  4. Poison ivy, oak, and sumac: When does the rash appear? American Academy of Dermatology Association.
  5. Poison ivy, oak, and sumac: What should I do if I touch a plant? American Academy of Dermatology Association.
  6. Wood Nettle (Stinging Nettle). Missouri Department of Conservation.
  7. Wood Nettle. National Park Service. March 7, 2018.
  8. Baumgardner DJ. Stinging Nettle: the Bad, the Good, the Unknown. Journal of Patient Centered Research and Reviews. January 25, 2016.
  9. Bhusal KK et al. Nutritional and pharmacological importance of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.): A review. Heliyon. June 22, 2022.
  10. Stinging Nettle. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
  11. Baby's breath (Gypsophila paniculata). Midwest Invasive Species Information Network.
  12. Gypsophila paniculata. NC State Extension.
  13. Contact Dermatitis. Cleveland Clinic. March 30, 2023.
  14. Perennial Leadwort. Clemson University. November 2, 2023.
  15. Plumbago. NC State Extension.
  16. Common Ragweed. Cornell University.
  17. Giant Ragweed: A Weed of Extremes. Ohio State University. September 27, 2019.
  18. Ragweed Allergy. Cleveland Clinic. October 20, 2023.
  19. Giant Hogweed. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
  20. Federal Noxious Weeds. U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. July 30, 2025.
  21. Poisonous Plants and Work. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. August 28, 2024.
Meet Our Experts
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Ross Radusky, MD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Ross Radusky, MD, is a practicing board-certified dermatologist at the Dermatology Treatment and Research Center in Dallas. Originally from New York City, he graduated summa cum laude from the City University of New York and then received his MD from the New York University School of Medicine. There, he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and served as chapter president for two years. He completed his residency in dermatology at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and Weill Cornell Medical Center, and at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Dr. Radusky practices general and cosmetic dermatology with a focus on the early detection of skin cancer, and provides patients with a personalized approach to looking their best at any age. He has authored articles and textbook chapters on the clues that our finger- and toenails may provide us about internal disease, as well as on comprehensive therapies for cosmetic dermatology and reversing the signs of skin aging.

Complementing his medical practice, Radusky has a strong passion for the cultural arts, particularly in expanding access to youths and seniors. He previously served as an artist instructor for the Rockaway Artists Alliance, a New York City nonprofit arts and education organization, and then served as both a board director and treasurer of the organization throughout his medical school training.

Radusky enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife Robyn, son Oliver, and poodle Lucy, where he can usually be found preventing photoaging and reducing the risk of skin cancer beneath an umbrella in a wide-brimmed hat. He is also the proud inventor of Sunshotz, the world’s only sunscreen measuring cup, designed to help patients of all ages apply the proper amount of sunscreen needed to enjoy all the sun without the burn.

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Ingrid Strauch

Author

Ingrid Strauch joined the Everyday Health editorial team in May 2015 and oversees the coverage of multiple sclerosis, migraine, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, other neurological and ophthalmological diseases, and inflammatory arthritis. She is inspired by Everyday Health’s commitment to telling not just the facts about medical conditions, but also the personal stories of people living with them. She was previously the editor of Diabetes Self-Management and Arthritis Self-Management magazines.

Strauch has a bachelor’s degree in English composition and French from Beloit College in Wisconsin. In her free time, she is a literal trailblazer for Harriman State Park and leads small group hikes in the New York area.

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