Poison ivy rash is classified under which type of dermatitis?

Poison ivy rash is classified as contact dermatitis because it occurs when the skin comes into direct contact with an irritant or allergen—in this case, the urushiol oil found in poison ivy plants. This type of dermatitis is characterized by an inflammatory response upon exposure to a foreign substance, leading to symptoms such as redness, itching, and blisters.

Contact dermatitis can be further divided into two categories: irritant contact dermatitis, which is caused by direct physical damage to the skin, and allergic contact dermatitis, which specifically involves an immune response to an allergen. Poison ivy reactions fall under the allergic type, but since the broader category of contact dermatitis encompasses both types, it is the more appropriate classification here.

Atopic dermatitis, which was another option, refers to a chronic inflammatory skin condition often associated with allergies, asthma, and environmental factors, whereas irritant dermatitis is specifically caused by exposure to harmful chemicals or physical agents that damage the skin without involving an immune response. Therefore, the classification as contact dermatitis accurately reflects the nature of the reaction to poison ivy exposure.