Poison ivy?

Specialties School

Published

Specializes in Sub-Acute, School Nursing, Dialysis.

One of my own lovely children has poison ivy on her leg and went to see the school nurse for calamine lotion. She sent home a note that didn't make sense to me. She wrote, if the rash gets worse a visit to the MD is recommended. That part was fine, I usually recommend the same to my students at school. Then underneath it, she wrote, must have an MD note to return to school. This was two days ago and my daughter found the note in her folder and forgot to give it to me. She is fine. A little itchy but fine. Do other schools require a doctor note for poison ivy?

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

i've never heard of that. Reminds me of my dear nephew - so mad at me yesterday because i wouldn't send him home due to his poison ivy rash. I currently don't hold the title of favorite auntie.

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Our rash policy is so subjective - really doesn't say much except that a doctor's visit is encouraged. In the case of poison ivy - I would just tell a parent to have a doctor look at it if it doesn't clear up in a reasonable amount of time.

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

i suggest a dr visit if it looks like it is really getting swollen, swelling face, mucus membranes, those types of things. The patches on my little beloved's arms, legs and chest, while irritating, were addressed by a doctor and had steroids rx'd. He was tired was the bigger issue. Sorry kiddo - to class thyne booty may go.

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I've never heard of that. Poison Ivy is not contagious from one person to another. Sounds like that school nurse needs educated in that area.

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Specializes in school nurse.

Even in the field, there are some misinformed people that thinks it's contagious- is it possible that's why she asked for a note?

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Maybe she didn't know what Poison Ivy rash looks like????

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That seems odd to me. I will recommend a visit to Dr if the rash is on their face or is getting worse, but other than that, they'll be fine. I wonder if she does think it's contagious...

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Specializes in School Nursing.

Our rash policy also requires a doctor's note in order to return to school UNLESS the rash can be covered completely. Because I am not allowed to diagnose I can't just say oh it's poison ivy. Total pain in the butt but that's what we do. We do have some kids who get eczema and we'll tell them to bring in a doctor's note that we can stick in their health file so we don't send them home every time they have a flare up.

I wish there was a better way to address it because I know I'm not paying out of pocket for a doctor's visit just to be told it's poison ivy and my child can go back to school so I totally understand why parents get upset. At the same time one child that I did exclude for a rash ended up with scabies which is highly contagious. We knew it was scabies but I can't diagnose so...there ya go. My poor health aide ended up catching it from this kid so she's a little jumpy when it comes to rashes now. :(

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I am thinking that she meant, if it gets worse and IF you go to a doctor than provide a note authorizing a return to school. IF it stays the same than no note necessary.

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