Poison ivy rash is a contact dermatitis caused by a direct contact with the
oils from the plant.  If the mother got oil on her hands, clothes, the
family dog, etc., then she could very well have inadvertently spread the oil
to her breasts.  That's important to note - poison ivy "spreads" from the
*oil* not the *rash.*  The rash does not spread from contact points to
non-contact points and poison ivy can't be spread to another person via the
rash.  *But* if the *oil* is still on the mother's skin then it could rub
off onto another's skin, e.g. baby's mouth.  And the oil is extremely
persistent and hard to clean off.

She needs to wash really well.  Plain ol' soap & water is OK.  There is also
a fabulous product called Tecnu that neutralizes the oil of poison ivy and
helps minimize the skin eruptions.  It's non-toxic although sorry, I don't
remember what it's made of.  It's available in drug stores.  The rash may
very well make it too uncomfortable for mother to nurse.

She might also consider cortisone cream for this one.  Poison ivy is the pits.

Mary Renard
who is, regretfully, an expert on poison ivy

Mary Riley Renard, RN, BSN, IBCLC
CERP/Recertification Coordinator
International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners
P O Box 2348
Falls Church VA  22042-0348  USA
Tele 703-560-7330
Fax  703-560-7332
email <[log in to unmask]>