The poison ivy plant, which almost always consists of branches with three leaflets, is a member of the cashew family.
Nothing spoils a weekend outing like a brush with poison ivy or poison oak. Blisters, bumps and annoying itching are just the beginning of your misery. The best way to avoid those discomforts is to learn to identify the poisonous plants and safely remove them if they grow near your home.
Here are some other tips:
What to do:
Wash clothes, shoes and any other items/gear that came in contact with the plants. Resin can linger on these surfaces for days.
Thoroughly wash the skin with soap and warm water as soon as possible following exposure. (The resin enters the skin quickly; it must be washed off within 30 minutes to prevent a reaction).
Thoroughly scrub under the fingernails with a brush to prevent spreading the resin to other parts of the body by touching or scratching.
Bathe pets that may have been exposed and can carry the resin on their fur.
Keep the victim cool and apply compresses. Body heat and sweating aggravate itching.
Calamine lotion, topical hydrocortisone cream and antihistamines, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine), help relieve itching and blistering.
Bathing in tepid water with one cup of Aveeno oatmeal per tub, or aluminum acetate (Domeboro solution) soaks can help dry out the rash and soothe itching.
In cases of severe or extensive rash, especially around the face or genitals, contact a physician.
Get immediate assistance if:
The victim is suffering a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling and/or difficulty breathing, or has had a severe reaction to a past exposure.
The victim has been exposed to the smoke of a burning plant.
The rash covers more than one quarter of the body.
Itching is severe and cannot be controlled.
The rash affects the face, lips, eyes, or genitals.
The rash shows signs of infection, such as pus, yellow fluid leaking from blisters, odor, or increased tenderness.
- Source: University of Maryland Medicine Web site: www.umm.edu
