Poison Ivy News

Poison Ivy is a very toxic plant that belongs to the plant family called Rhus. The Poison Ivy Plant can be identified by its three leaves which contains an oily substance called urushiol that is colorless or slightly yellow that oozes from the plant.

The Poison Ivy leaves have 3 parts to them. They are shiny and range from 2 inches to a half inch in size. The Poison Ivy leaves produces flowers that are kind of a greenish white and they found in clusters on a long stem. The berries are also glossy and white in color.

The Poison Ivy leaves usually change color in the fall; they change to more of an reddish orange color and it usually a vine. Poison ivy is most known to be in the Midwest, East and in the South. It is also known to be found as a shrub in northern and Western US, Canada and the Great Lakes region.

The Poison Ivy leaves can grown up to ten feet tall and can vine its way up trees, fences, walls and trails on the ground.

The urushiol oil causes severe allergic reactions to many people.

The Poison Ivy Rash is not a pleasant experience; however you really don’t have to worry about it imposing any health issues or worry about it being contagious to your family and friends.  The Poison Ivy Rash usually includes intense itching; therefore worrying about a secondary bacterial infection should be a concern.

The Poison Ivy Rash is usually raised with inflammation and most of the time there is oozing from the blisters.  It is a common misconception that if you pop the blisters, then the rash spreads.  This is not true and it is recommended that the blisters are popped if you are treating your Poison Ivy Rash with an antimicrobial or some type of Poison Ivy Cream or Gel that treats or prevents infection too along with reducing the itch.

The Poison Ivy Rash almost always includes oozing blisters along with redness, inflammation and swelling that becomes painful.  Swelling usually is more predominant on the face than any other place on your body.
The rash usually takes approximately 12 to 48 hours to appear after you’ve been in contact with the urushiol oil.  The rash may not appear all at once and it could appear days later.  This doesn’t mean that the rash is spreading, it only means that the skin has absorbed it differently.  The rash can take up to three weeks before it will go away.

You should always treat your Poison Ivy Rash with an antimicrobial to make sure your rash does not develop into a secondary bacterial infection. Relieving the poison ivy itch is always your upmost important goal, but never forget about potential infection.

Preventing a Poison Ivy Outbreak is critical going forward to reduce your chances of developing the Poison Ivy Rash.  See my next posts on preventing Poison Ivy Rash.

Poison ivy causes a Poison Ivy Rash which is a common cause of urushiol induced contact dermatitis.  It is an allergic reaction,  when the urushiol oil from the poison ivy plant comes in contact with the skin.  The Poison Ivy Rash is very unpleasant, however it does not pose any serious health risks that are known.  Preventing the Poison Ivy Rash is the best thing you can do when dealing with poison ivy.

Symptoms of the Poison Ivy Rash include intense itching, inflammation, oozing and in severe cases it produces blisters and it has a burning sensation. Spreading blister fluid from scratching doesn’t spread the rash, but germs under your fingernails may cause a secondary infection.

The poison ivy plant produces a resin called urushiol.  Urushiol is an oil that seeps from the leaves of the plant and does not vaporate; leaving the plant active year round.  Urushiol is a yellow liquid and is nearly insoluble in water.

The Poison Ivy Rash has a linear appearance when it is at it’s peak because of the way the plant leaves brush up against your skin. If you become somehow in contact with clothing or any type pet fur that already has urushiol on it, the rash will probably be more evenly distributed and spread out.

The Poison Ivy Rash reaction usually becomes apparent and develops into a Poison Ivy Rash in 12 to 48 hours after you’ve been in contact with the urushiol oil and the Poison Ivy Rash can last up to three weeks in some cases. In more severe cases, your Poison Ivy Rash can streak and form breakouts in other areas.

This often leads people to think that the Poison Ivy Rash is spreading or that it is contagious; however its more likely to act this way due to the rate at which your skin absorbed the urushiol. Remember that different parts of your body absorb differently.

See the absorption rates of the different skin types.
•    Forearm absorbs 1%
•    Armpit absorbs 4%
•    Face absorbs 7%
•    Eyelids and genitals absorb 30%
•    Palm absorbs 0.1%
•    Sole absorbs 0.05%

If you like fishing, boating, hunting or hiking or just enjoy gardening but don’t enjoy Poison Ivy Rashes, please take a look at this useful information.

Swine Flu Facts-V2

The best way to prevent poison ivy and eliminate the itching, burning, and blisters associated with poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac is to avoid the plants altogether. Learn what poison ivy looks like and where it thrives. If you think you may have been exposed, shower and wash skin and hair immediately.

When going outdoors, wear long pants, long sleeves, socks and high boots to protect skin from contact. There are also protective barrier lotions and sprays available at many outdoor stores. If you are out camping or backpacking, wash clothes and shoes (including laces) in soap and water as soon as possible. If you can handle the items with rubber gloves (the tall kitchen kind are even better) that is great. It will keep your hands from coming in contact with contaminated surfaces, as urushiol can remain on items for years without drying out or losing potency.

Most animals, such as dogs are not susceptible to poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac, but they can carry the urushiol on their skin and fur, and transmit it to you. So if you think your pet has gotten into a patch of poisonous nuisance plants, bathe them in cold water and the harshest soap you can as soon as possible.

WARNING: If you come in contact with poison ivy, and within 6 hours develop a severe rash that swells and blisters, or you have difficulty seeing, breathing or swallowing, head to the Emergency Room immediately! This can be a very serious, and possibly life threatening reaction called Anaphylaxis.

As a note, this guide is meant to be informative only. It is not meant to take the place of qualified medical attention. It is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.

If the financial crisis isn’t enough to make you itch, now there’s even more to worry about. Scientist claim there is a distinct possibility of rampant outbreaks of poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac packing more itch power than ever before because of global warming.

The greenhouse gas Carbon Dioxide or CO2 is considered a major player in global warming. Increased CO2 emissions are actively facilitating the flourishing of invasive nuisance plants like poison ivy. According to research, toxic strains of poison ivy are growing faster and bigger. Climate shifts are also affecting the spread of poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac.

Research shows climate shifts could also change the growth patterns of certain plants. This is definitely not a good thing when those plants are irritants or allergens. Poison ivy grows almost everywhere in the United States and approximately 80% of all people are allergic to poison ivy and experience a red, bumpy, itchy and sometimes blistering poison ivy  skin rash when they come into contact the plant’s carbon-based active compound.

Studies claim that with the more poisonous strains the resulting rashes and itching will certainly be worse. One such study at Duke University found that urushiol oil exposed to higher levels of carbon dioxide is 30% more potent than oil exposed to common CO2 levels. In fact, some experts believe the toxicity of poison in plants like poison ivy has reached all time highs, much elevated from decades ago. Urushiol is present in all poison ivy plants at all times of the year, but the majority of reactions occur in the spring or early summer when poison ivy leaves are tender and easily bruised. The noxious substance is found on the plant’s leaves, stems, fruit, flowers and roots and can be picked up from contact with pets, tools and clothing, etc.

Poison Ivy is an invasive, poisonous plant that can cause Poison Ivy Rash that is painful itchy rashes, blisters, redness, and swelling on skin when people come into contact with it.

The Urushiol oil on the plant’s leaves, stems, and roots penetrates the skin and causes the painful allergic reactions. Many people who spend their time outdoors such as hikers, campers, hunters, fishermen, landscapers, and even gardeners and golfers can attest to the pain and irritation that accompanies this nuisance.

Many of us enjoy going out for the occasional hike through the forest and other outdoor places. We don’t, however, enjoy getting a poison ivy rash.

Well, here are some ways that I believe could help you have less to worry about when your trying to enjoy your outdoor time, be it with family, friends or alone.

First, I suggest wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts, weather permitting of course. If it is far too hot/humid outside and you just have to wear a bit less clothing, I strongly urge putting on some protection; talking about topical ointments here people. Actually, All Stop Poison Ivy, Oak & Sumac Healing gel applied before going out to your exposed skin is an incredible preventative measure. You can simply apply it like you would sunscreen. If, however, you aren’t planning on shielding yourself from the poison ivy, there are a couple more tips I think you may find useful.

If you generally carry moist towelettes or other disinfecting wipes, it is important to wipe the area of contact if you feel that you may have had a poison ivt brush with poison ivy or the like.

If you feel you or someone in your party has been exposed to poison ivy, you’ll want to wash off the exposed skin as soon as possible, using soap and warm water. If you think that any of your clothing or any items you were carrying may have come into contact with the urushiol found in poison ivy, then try and touch these articles as little as possible. As soon as you can, clean/wash them thoroughly, Again, making sure to touch them as little as possible with your skin. If you have pets, also be wary, for they can also contract the urushiol and spread that to anyone unsuspecting that may touch the pet.

I hope you find this information helpful, and remember the best form of prevention…is protection.