Are some people immune to poison ivy/oak/sumac rashes?

Not everyone is. Up to 85% of Americans are allergic to poison ivy, leaving at least 15% resistant to any reaction. read more

This is the same thing that happens with some metal jewelry, penicillin, some cleaning products, etc. It’s only on subsequent exposure that a reaction occurs. So a lot of the people who claim to have immunity to poison ivy, oak, and sumac (all of which contain urushiol) simply haven’t had their immune reaction yet. read more

Yes, there are some people who have less severe allergic reactions than others, but true “immunity” is NOT a myth. There are, indeed, a small number of people in the world who are completely and permanently immune to poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. read more

Poison ivy, oak, and sumac are generally diagnosed by their common symptoms of a rash, blisters, and itching following activity outside in a forest or field, but if you have any doubt, ask your doctor. read more