Prevention:
If are going to be in poison sumac in the near future, the most powerful defense you have is knowing what to look for, and avoid.

Poison Sumac appears primarily in the Eastern United States in wet swampy conditions. It often grows in standing water and bogs of peat moss. It is characterized by branches with about 10 leaflets each, arranged in pairs with one lone leaf at the tip. It appears green in the spring and summer but turns red later in the season.


How to dress:
Use common sense when dressing for possible contact with poison sumac. Wear long pants and a long shirt that covers forearms, lower legs and ankles (these are the most commonly affected areas). Also, don't ever wear open toed shoes, or sandals, etc. when being near poisonous plants.

Protective Lotion:

There are also products available that can be put on skin to act as a barrier to the harmful urushiol secreted from poisonous plants. Ivy block, made by EnviroDerm Pharmaceuticals works well.

What NOT to do...
Remember not to shower or wash your skin BEFORE going into areas that may have poison sumac. The natural oils in your skin act as a barrier to poison sumac; if they are removed, the urushiol will be quickly absorbed by your skin and the resulting rash will be much worse.