 Being exposed to poison ivy, poison oak or poison sumac is, unfortunately, one of the pitfalls of camping trips or other outdoor events. All three plants can cause allergic reactions, so if you're allergic to one, it's very likely you will be allergic to the others.
Scores of outdoor enthusiasts have had to restrict their activities after coming into contact with one of them. In fact, they are the most common causes of allergic reactions, affecting some 10-50 million individuals in the United States yearly.
In this article, I'll discuss 15 ways that you can prevent getting a rash from one of these plants.
Poison ivy is caused when specific white blood cells called T-cells react to oil in the plant called urushiol. If you are exposed to one of these plants by cutting or crushing them, this oil is released. Just touching a plant may not cause a rash to develop; it is only when the integrity of the stems or leaves has been broken, causing the oil to ooze out.
Once the oil is on the skin, it will penetrate and a rash will form within 48 hours after the initial contact. The rash will first start out as small bumps, and later becomes enlarged itchy blisters.
It can affect any part of the body, but the areas most often irritated are the face, hands and arms, legs and genital areas. Just how sensitive you are to poison ivy may change over time. You may be quite sensitive to it when you were a child, but unaffected by it as an adult. Usually, sensitivity declines as you age.
No matter what your level of sensitivity is, the itching can drive you crazy, as you scratch the areas attempting to get relief. Fortunately, scratching wont cause the rash to spread, but it may damage the skin, putting you at risk for developing an infection, so avoid scratching them whenever possible.
How sensitive you are determines how bad a reaction you will have. After the oil touches the skin, it will begin to penetrate in minutes. During the first 12 to 48 hours, a red rash will form, followed by blisters that can weep and later become crusty. It usually takes about 10 days for the rash to heal.
Poison ivy plants have serrated, pointed leaves that are grouped in three leaflets. The leaves have a green color during the summer, but may have a reddish color during the spring and fall.
Here are some tips that you can use that will help you avoid catching this uncomfortable rash.
1. Cover up - Make sure you wear long-sleeved shirts, avoid wearing short pants, and wear boots when venturing outdoors. Adequate clothing provides a barrier between you and the oil of the plant.
2. Don't let your pet run in wooded areas - If your pet comes into contact with poison ivy, and the oil gets on his fur, if you pet him, the oil will rub off on you.
3. Wash your hands - If you suspect that you have poison ivy, quickly wash your hands. You may be able to wash the oil from your skin, before it soaks in. Don't forget to wash any affected clothing that may have been exposed to the oil.
4. Carry a bottle of rubbing alcohol with you - As the oil is not absorbed immediately, and sinks in fairly gradually, you may be able to use rubbing alcohol to wash the oil from your skin. Dermatologists at the University of California in San Francisco have found that this remedy can be effective up to four hours after exposure to poison ivy.
5. Take a cold bath - If the itch has already started, taking a cold shower or bath may help ease the itch.
6. Apply baking soda - Try making a paste of baking soda and water and applying it to the affected area. Apply this mixture 3 times a day; this should help with the itching.
7 Take an oatmeal bath - Taking a bath in lukewarm water with some oatmeal mixed in may help dry up any oozing blisters while providing relief for skin irritations.
8. Vinegar - Itches of all kinds are relieved by vinegar. First, wash the affected area with lukewarm soapy water, then rinse. Rub vinegar into the areas with a cotton ball and then rinse.
9. Apply heat - A terrific remedy for poison ivy is any kind of heat, whether it's from a blow dryer or hot water. This will help to dry up the skin and accelerate the healing process.
10. Aloe vera juice - Aloe vera juice can be used to stop any itching and blistering, while speeding up the healing process. It may be applied as frequently as every two hours.
11. Catnip - Take some fresh catnip leaves and squeeze the juice from them, applying it to the rash. Catip has anti-inflammatory properties and will help to heal the affected areas.
12. Jewelweed - Rub any affected areas with the leaves from this plant. Researchers have found that this is effective as applying cortisone cream to irritated skin.
13. Rinse your clothes outside - If you suspect you've had contact with poison ivy, after entering your house you may spread the oil to the furniture or rugs.
14. Coffee - If you have any cold coffee, pouring it on the rash may help heal the rash. Coffee beans contain chlorogenic acid, an anti-inflammatory.
15. Alum - Make a poultice of alum mixed with petroleum jelly and apply to the affected areas.
During the summertime, an allergic reaction from these troublesome plants can ruin many a vacation outing. Your best bet is to know what these plants look like and then avoid them.
However, should you develop a rash, I hope that the above-mentioned tips can help to ease your pain.
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