Surviving poison ivy
Fall yard pickup also means increased exposure to poison ivy. According to a report published in Weed Science, poison ivy has grown much more aggressive since the 1950s, with leaf size and oil content measurably increased. This is bad news for the more than 350,000 people who are stricken by poison ivy annually. Poison ivy contains urushiol, an oily resin that binds to the skin on contact and may result in a hypersensitivity reaction characterized by itching, burning skin eruptions. About the plant Captain John Smith was the first to describe the plant, coining the name “Poison Ivy” in 1609. Poison ivy grows throughout much of North America, and is extremely common in New England, the mid-Atlantic, and southeastern U.S. It’s typically found in wooded areas as well as exposed rocky areas and open fields, and can be recognized by its group of three leaflets on small stems coming off larger main stems. For decades parents have taught their children the sing-song phrase “leaves of three, let it be.” Poison ivy also has inconspicuous greenish flowers with five petals, and berry-like fruits that are hard and whitish. There are two types of poison ivy, the climbing variety, toxicondendron radicans, and the non-climbing, toxicodendron rydbergil (from the Latin toxicum, “poison,” and the Greek dendron, “tree”). Because the varieties interbreed, they look similar and sometimes grow in the same places. They also create the same allergic rash, which may last from a week to three weeks. Contrary to popular belief, scratching or oozing blister fluid cannot spread the outbreak or transfer it to other people. New lesions that appear a few days after a breakout of primary lesions means that there was less oil deposited on that area of the skin, or that the skin was less sensitive to it. Winning the poison ivy battle Poison ivy’s urushiol oil is extremely potent, and only one billionth of a gram is needed to cause a rash. Ninety percent of the population develops an allergy to it. Prevention Avoiding contact with the plant is, of course, the best prevention. Go on an expedition wearing long pants, long sleeves, boots, and gloves. Tour your yard, the playground, the route your children walk to school, a campsite you’re visiting.When you spot poison ivy, show it to your kids and instruct them to stay away from it. If you have a large amount growing in your yard, consult with a professional landscaper for removal. Unless you are a professional, do not “weed whack” as it sprays the poison ivyand the oilright at you. Urushiol oil is extremely stable and will stay potent for years which means you can get a rash from clothing or tools that got oil on them many seasons ago. After exposure to poison ivy, put on gloves and wipe everything you had with you and on you with rubbing alcohol and water, including shoes, tools, and clothing. Then wash clothes at least twice before wearing (if possible using bleach), hose off garden tools well, and apply leather moisturizer on footwear to prevent them from drying out (again, put on gloves). Pets seem to be immune from getting poison ivy, but many people do get a rash from the residual urushiol oil on their fur. Therefore it’s a good idea to bathe your dog or cat wearing thick rubber gloves (not latex). After washing the pet, wash yourself using cold water to keep pores closed. Consult with your veterinarian if you have any questions. Treatment Urushiol binds to skin proteins and begins to penetrate within 15 minutes of contact. If treated before that time, a reaction may be prevented. First, wash exposed site with cold water (hot water will open your pores, allowing the oil in). Follow this by bathing it in milk, which helps to get between oil and skin. Wherever poison ivy grows, there is usually a plant known as jewelweed growing close byespecially in moister, shadier areas. Herbalists and Native Americans have used jewelweed for centuries to treat and speed the healing of poison ivy as it seems to be a natural remedy. When you are in the field and may have been exposed to poison ivy, pick jewelweed, slice the stem, and rub its juice on your skin to ease irritation and help prevent a breakout. Some companies and herbalists offer poison ivy treatment soaps that contain jewelweed and other soothing natural ingredients, such as pine tar.· For severe outbreaks, or if you have any concerns whatsoever, see your doctor right away.