With the temperatures outside still quite nice, you will likely be spending time outside. Whether you take the children out for weekend hikes or you have a huge backyard to explore, there are chances that your child will come into contact with poison ivy at some point.

If you have a child who may come into contact with poison ivy, there are a few things your child's pediatrician wants you to know.

1. Identify Poison Ivy Plants and Rashes

The sooner you teach your child what poison ivy looks like, the better. Pediatric health professionals can provide you with more information about this plant and the consequences of touching it. Poison ivy is a plant that has leaves growing in groups of three. Sometimes the leaves are red, but in the hottest months, they are green.

It's wise to contact a pediatrician when your child has already exhibited a rash. But you can also anticipate a rash by being aware of the signs. In most cases, a rash will form in the affected area. Sometimes the rash looks like hives, which sparks many parents to request a doctor's appointment. Other times, the rash looks like clusters of blisters. They may form one large blister.

2. Understand the Complications of Poison Ivy

One of the biggest reasons why pediatricians see patients with poison ivy is because the rash has spread to the eyes. Your child's eyelids may have become inflamed, swollen, and itchy. This can be alarming.

3. Addressing Poison Ivy Exposure

The first thing you need to do upon exposure is to wash the area with warm water and soap. Rinse and dry the area. Make sure to wash clothing and toys that touched the plan too. Apply calamine lotion and hydrocortisone cream to the area. Then, call your child's pediatrician to learn more about soothing your child's rash.

You should call a pediatrician right away if your child's rash does not respond to treatment, the rash has spread to the face, or your child has a fever or shows signs of infection.

4. Contact Your Child's Pediatrician

Pediatric health care services can help your child relieve some of the serious symptoms of poison ivy. If the symptoms are serious, then there is always a chance that the issue could be something else. A professional can help your child get the right treatment. Call your child's pediatrician for more information.