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Infection is almost immediate. Within hours victims swell, itch, and break out in weeping blisters. Less than an ounce could affect the entire planet. And it might already be in your backyard. It's not the next global epidemic, but urushiol, the allergen of Toxicodendrons poison ivy and poison oak. These vicious plants are common, even in urban areas, and difficult to kill. To make matters worse, they're hard to recognize. They have the tell-tale "leaves of three," but those leaves vary in size, shape, and color, and the plants can grow as vines, shrubs, or ground-cover. And then there's the infamous contact dermatitis and its many treatments and myths. Some think the rash is contagious or can be spread from one body part to another (definitely not true). Others think they can become immune by eating the leaves (in a word: no). Dubious home remedies and herbal treatments abound, but some "cures" are actually worse than the rash itself. The only sure way to spare yourself the pain and itching is to learn to identify and avoid the culprit.
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Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac, Prevention and Treatment Products, Botany |
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Archived under: Botany, Camping, Health, Hiking, Medicine, Outdoors, Poison Ivy |
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Comments
leaves of tree let it be
Posted by: pauls375 at June 17, 2006 6:21 PM
Poison ivy sucks!
Posted by: home_cat_tabby at June 17, 2006 6:25 PM
then how are u suppose to get rid of it if home remedies makes it worse?.....
Posted by: monkeylvr1223 at June 17, 2006 6:29 PM
Be warned that if you are allergic to Poison Ivy, you are probably allergic to Mangos. Both plants belong to the Anacardiaceae family and the skin of a Mango can cause a similar reaction as poison ivy. I've proven this by eating mangos too many times and breaking out all over my face - lips cracked, eyes puffy, itchy rash - be warned!
Posted by: schs92 at June 17, 2006 6:30 PM
I am so tired of hearing that Poison Ivy CANNOT be transmitted from person to person. That may be so for the majority of people, but if you are as allergic to poison ivy as I am, IT CAN BE TRANSMITTED TO ANOTHER PERSON VIA A PERSON!
And, while I am at this, poison ivy CAN BE spread to other parts of the body! It can also spread internally from one area to another WITHOUT breaking open the blisters.
You can also get poison ivy just walking through the smoke of a fire that has poison ivy in it. And please, I hope no one agrues this point either.
Posted by: blregan at June 17, 2006 6:34 PM
home remedies... duh they don´t work.... go to the farmacia Joder
Posted by: john_y_liz at June 17, 2006 6:35 PM
If you have poison ivy, try using a lotion called SARNA. You should be able to find it in your local drug store. I found it in Rite Aid a few years ago, and it cures my poison ivy in a few days. Works like a charm, it's the miracle lotion of poison ivy.
Posted by: pixiedust1393 at June 17, 2006 6:35 PM
I am highly sensitive to Poison Ivy. Yes, if you are sensitve to Poison you may also get the same reaction from both mangos and cashews, they are in the same family.
You can't get rid of it, you must prevent it. Bad cases (mine) are often treated with oral steroids, Prednisone to be specific. I allways keep some handy.. I also find that very very hot water helps in the shower, heat releases histamine from the cells, which is what causes the itch. So if you do this it will itch like crazy for a short while but then you get hours and hours of releaf. Avoidance, is number one. Try IvyBlock if you have to work near it.
Posted by: aspdavid at June 17, 2006 6:41 PM
Doctors will tell you that it cannot be spread, but it can be spread from person to person and from one part of the body to another. The best way of easing the pain from the itching is to use a hair dryer. Yes. heat usually makes it worse, but intense heat not only eases the uitching , but it dries it up quicker. One who knows. I have it three times in two years.
Posted by: davogelgesang at June 17, 2006 6:43 PM
"they're hard to recognize" Oh-boy. That's like super helpful. :)
Anyway...some people are immune to poison oak/ivy. Unfortunatly, those are the people that they will assign to go dig it up.
It doesn't spread!? I heard a story about someone not wearing gloves going to the bathromm after coming in contact. You go tell him it didn't spread. OMG, that must have hurt.
Should you come in contact with it, you want to get Tecnu. I think this is the one where the US ARMY studied and found a cure for it. This is the case from Lebanon, OR. I think the company is out of Albany.
Me, I've never had it, or never bothered to take care of the little spots I got if I did.
Posted by: c_c_snarski at June 17, 2006 6:46 PM
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