My WebMD Sign In

Please enter email address

Enter your password

Keep me signed in on this computer

Show more Information

If you select "Keep me signed in on this computer", you can stay signed in to WebMD.com on this computer for up to 2 weeks or until you sign out. This means that a cookie will stay on your computer even when you exit or close your browser which may reduce your levels of privacy and security. You should never select this option if you're using a publicly accessible computer, or if you're sharing a computer with others. Even if you select this option there are some features of our site that still require you to log in for privacy reasons.

Forget your password? Having trouble signing in?

Why should I
sign up for WebMD?

With a WebMD Account you can:

Track your way to weight loss success
Manage your family's vaccinations
Join the conversation

See more benefits Sign Up

Why WebMD?

My WebMD

Show Menu

Facebook Twitter Pinterest

WebMD Home

Skin Problems & Treatments Community

Announcements

Last Reply:

Includes Expert Content

Poison Ivy rash or bug bites?

mlee27 posted:

My mom has all these oozing, itchy, large blisters on her arms. They started out as really small, red bumps a day after she did yard work in the backyard. She said she was working near the bushes of the woods behind our house. Then day by day, the red bumps developed into watery blisters that kept getting larger and larger until they burst and oozed out liquid. It's been almost a week now since she did the yard work. Her blisters haven't gotten any better, and they're starting to spread even more up her arms. We're not sure if she got in contact with poison ivy, poison oak, or an insect that bit her and injected poison. My mom isn't going to see a doctor until Monday, but her itchy blisters are driving her crazy. We've been putting alcohol, salt water, and oatmeal on them. However, we stopped putting the oatmeal because it made it worse. So what's the culprit of these blisters and what can we do until we see the doctor?

1 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Poison Ivy rash or bug bites?My mom has all these oozing, itchy, large blisters on her arms. They started out as really small, red bumps a day after she did yard work in the backyard. She said she was working near the bushes of the woods behind our house. Then day by day, the red bumps developed into watery blisters that kept getting larger and larger until they burst and oozed out liquid. It's been almost a week now since she did the yard work. Her blisters haven't gotten any better, and they're starting to spread even more up her arms. We're not sure if she got in contact with poison ivy, poison oak, or an insect that bit her and injected poison. My mom isn't going to see a doctor until Monday, but her itchy blisters are driving her crazy. We've been putting alcohol, salt water, and oatmeal on them. However, we stopped putting the oatmeal because it made it worse. So what's the culprit of these blisters and what can we do until we see the doctor?

Mary Ruth Buchness, MD responded:

mlee27,
It really sounds like poison ivy or oak. Poison oak is most common in the south-east. Hopefully, your Mom has seen the doctor by now and gotten treatment. She needs to familiarize herself with the appearance of the plant (check out poison_ivy.com) so that she avoids it in the future. She shouldn't garden without gloves, and should put her clothes directly into the washing machine when she finishes gardening, and shower at once. In the future, there is a product called Super Ivy Dry that will help with the itching and to dry out the blisters. There are also products to put on the skin before potential exposure, one called Technu, to prevent the poison ivy rash.

Report This| Share this:Poison Ivy rash or bug bites?mlee27,<br />It really sounds like poison ivy or oak. Poison oak is most common in the south-east. Hopefully, your Mom has seen the doctor by now and gotten treatment. She needs to familiarize herself with the appearance of the plant (check out poison_ivy.com) so that she avoids it in the future. She shouldn't garden without gloves, and should put her clothes directly into the washing machine when she finishes gardening, and shower at once. In the future, there is a product called Super Ivy Dry that will help with the itching and to dry out the blisters. There are also products to put on the skin before potential exposure, one called Technu, to prevent the poison ivy rash.

See Related Women's Health Communities

See All Communities

Visit the Skin Problems & Treatments Health Center

Women's Health Newsletter

Find out what women really need.

Featuring Experts

Mohiba K Tareen, MD

Mohiba K Tareen, MD is a board certified dermatologist who has an innovative practice in Roseville, Minnesota. Tareen Dermatology ( www.TareenDermato...More