Is poison ivy contagious

Answer 1

Poison Ivy is not contagious. It cannot be spread from person to person. It spreads by the oils from the plant. If you do not clean your skin well after contact or if you come into contact with clothes, garden tools, etc. that still have the oil on them, you can break out in other places. Even a weeping rash will not spread the rash to other places of your body, as long as you have cleaned your skin thoroughly after contact with the plant's oils.

Sometimes the poison ivy appears to be spreading, because it first appears in a small area then appears in more areas over time. But it is not actually spreading, it just takes awhile for your entire body to react. The first time you get it, it takes longest for your body to react. Each time after that will take less and less time between exposure and reaction.

The oil can stay active on clothes, garden tools, dead plants, etc. for up to five years.