Are poison ivy and poison oak contageous?

My son has either poison ivy or poison oak ( i can't tell the difference.) Anyway I've been to 500 web sites that tell me neither is contageous, however my son was sent home from school and may not be able to attend his grade 8 graduation ceremony and dance! I will take him to the clinic later but was curious now.

Are poison ivy and poison oak contageous?
No.





Once he has washed off the oils, it is not contageous. Even if it is oozing. That is not oil from the plant, it is his body reacting to the poison.





It does not spread from scratching either...when more sores appear it is the body reacting to the initial contact.





Still, tell him not to scratch so he doesn't scar or get infected.





Get him on a steriod and it will feel and look a lot better fast.





(I just had it recently, very bad, and the steriods helped within 24 hours amazingly - Prednisone)
Reply:When you first get exposed to it, it *could* be contagious because the oil that causes the reaction is still on your skin and/or clothes and it might get rubbed off on someone else who touches you. After you have bathed and changed your clothes, it is no longer contagious. (It's a common myth that the rash itself is contagious.)
Reply:It is the oozing of the blisters that is contagious. He may need a shot or some pills from the Dr. if it is that bad that they sent him home.
Reply:No:





Once you touch the plant and get stung, nobody else can get it.
Reply:I had poison ivy it is contagious to a point when its still wet and weeping once it dries its not contagious anymore.
Reply:YES if you touch a person with it you will get it.
Reply:The only way to pass poison ivy from one person to another is if that person still has oil from the plant on their skin and rubs against another person. The word contagious usually refers to infection and the rash from poison ivy is due to allergy-not infection
Reply:well I always thought that Poison Ivy was "contagious" too but according to this website...it's not at all contagious. There are other myths and facts about poison ivy, oak, sumac and others...also try the second website. I found it to be very helpful.
Reply:A person gets poison ivy because they are allergic to it. If someone else is allergic to it he could spread it.
Reply:it is. just keep the oil dry and it will be fine.