Black spot poison ivy: A report of 5 cases and a review of the literature

Abstract

Black-spot poison ivy dermatitis is a rare manifestation of a common condition. It occurs on exposure to the resins of the plants of the Rhus family also known as Toxicodendron. We describe 5 patients with black deposits on their skin and clothing after contact with poison ivy and review the literature reflecting different aspects of this phenomenon including clinical presentation, histologic findings, and historical background. (J Am Acad Dermatol 2001;45:246-9.)