"LEAF" IT ALONE: PLANTS TO KEEP AWAY FROM
Most people are allergic to poison ivy and other poisonous plants. In fact, around 90% of the U.S. population is! The best way to keep from getting this itchy and bumpy rash is to know what these plants look like and avoid contact with them, since they won't fly up and bite you like a bug will.
Sometimes contact with a poisonous plant may be unavoidable - even if you don't actually touch the plant.
Say what? That's right - because it's the oil inside of the plant, called urushiol, not necessarily touching the leaf itself, that causes the rash. If your dog runs through the yard or woods and comes in contact with poison ivy, poison oak or poison sumac, the leaf or the stem can break off, spreading the oil inside of it onto your dog's fur. Then, when you pet your dog, the oil gets on your skin, which causes the reaction. The result is an uncomfortable and blistering skin rash that may itch like crazy!
Once the oil comes out of the plant, it gradually takes on the appearance of a black substance. If you should come into contact with the actual plant or a "mysterious" black substance, immediately wash the skin with soap and warm water to remove any oil. If you do this within 20 minutes from when you first touched the urushiol, you have a good chance of avoiding a totally itchy outbreak. Urushiol can remain active for up to 2 months or even longer if it remains in dry, cool conditions, such as in the basement or garage. So you can touch contaminated gardening equipment, clothing, shoes or even pets for some time after they have had initial contact with the plant oil, and still get a reaction on your skin. It seems like the rash just popped out of nowhere, but the source may be right under your nose! This may
be the case if you keep getting poison ivy, poison oak or poison sumac throughout the summer, yet you just can't figure out why.
If a reaction* occurs, which is identified as an itchy, blistering rash that is normally in a line pattern, rinse off the area thoroughly then apply a topical anesthetic creme or spray, such as Lanacane® Maximum Strength First Aid Spray, to help stop the itch without having to touch the sensitive skin.
*IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR PARENTS!!
If an outbreak occurs around the eyes or in the groin area, or if it persists more than 7 days, a physician should be consulted.
Despite the common myth, liquid from the blisters will not spread the rash, as long as all of the urushiol oil has been washed from the skin. Yet, even though it is safe to touch the area without fear of spreading the rash, it is best to leave it alone and not scratch for proper healing.
Leaves of Three, Let Them Be...
While a good measure of poison ivy and oak is that they are made up of leaves of three (see photographs), poison sumac has 7-13 leaves, so it is important that you know what all of these plants look like. Besides knowing how to identify these plants in the outdoors, try the following:
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Avoid plant contact by wearing protective clothing (lightweight long pants, socks, long sleeves) when hiking in heavy growth areas. Wash clothes and sneakers that were worn in areas where poison ivy is abundant, just in case any urushiol is left on them. If your dog goes outdoors, especially in wooded areas, make sure to bathe him/her regularly, even if you simply hose the animal off every so often. Teach young children what these plants look like and tell them never to put any type of leaf into their mouths. Rinse gardening equipment under the hose for five minutes, which should get rid of any urushiol that may be present from digging or trimming (urushiol can also be found in the roots of poison ivy, which are underground). Never burn poisonous plants, since their toxic oils will become airborne and can be breathed in, causing a serious reaction in sensitive people. |
