Urushiol

Urushiol, a chemical produced by plants poison ivy, oak and sumac causes skin allergy to a lot of individuals being exposed to these plants.
Exposures occur when you have direct contact with the plants. Even by touching a material that contains this chemical can cause allergic reactions. Burning these plants also produces airborne exposure that is very dangerous when inhaled by an individual.
A person who is infected by this chemical will suffer from symptoms such as itching, redness, swelling, and blistering. It should be carefully examined because an allergy like this could sometimes look like just a bug bite and other ordinary rashes.


Dr. Reynolds, from his article about the urushiol, enumarates pecautionary measures like avoiding the plants containing this chemical, and wearing long sleeves and protective clothings when having to go through a possibly infected area.
When exposed, it is necessary that the affected part of the skin be cleansed thoroughly.  Also, everything that have come in contact with the chemical must be removed, more preferrably, be thrown away to avoid spreading then reaction.
Rubbing or scratching the itchy part will not spread the chemical because it is bound to the skin. However, scratching may cause damage to your skin producing breakage that can possibly be an entrance for bacteria that may lead to infection.