Hi Jacky -
Nope you may not have to visit the doctor each and every time. There is this concept of T-cell memory and with frequent sensitizations you could end up with worse rashes. BUT with infrequent sensitizations (meaning not having contact often) it may turn out that your next incident with urushiol oil / poison ivy contact may be only a minor rash or none at all. That's one of the reasons I say that the rash varies from person to person, time to time, and season to season.
The most important things you can do are 1) be diligent in understanding how to identify the poisonous plants and 2) be diligent in cleanup from contact. It is not unusual for people to recontaminate themselves - so make sure everything has been cleaned well which may have come in contact with the urushiol oil either through direct contact with the plant or indirect contact. |
