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By: by Amino Science
If you have ever lived near a forest or explored wooded areas, you may be familiar with the rhyme, “leaves of three, let it be.” Referring to poison ivy, if you brush up against this plant, your body may react with a very irritating, itchy rash that takes weeks to heal. You can avoid a poison ivy rash by knowing how to spot it, but if you do brush up against this poison plant, then here's how you can treat your poison ivy symptoms and find relief.
Common to North America, poison ivy, botanically known as Toxicodendron radicans, is found throughout most of the United States, including all states except Hawaii, Alaska, and California, and in Canada. It is highly adaptable and can grow as a vine that climbs trees and walls, a bush, or along the ground. If you live in the Northern and Western United States, you most likely see western poison ivy in its shrub form, while residents of the South, Midwest, and East Coast encounter it as eastern poison ivy in the form of a vine. The poison ivy plant can be found in both high traffic areas and out on trails, where you’ll spot it in your yard, climbing up fence posts and trees, and growing in your flower beds and gardens.
To spot poison ivy, look for almond, oval-shaped leaves in a group of three. Some have smooth edges, while other varieties have notching. Poison ivy changes color throughout the seasons—it’s red in springtime, green during summer, and orange and yellow in autumn. You can also see green or white berries sometimes, which are consumed and then dropped by birds and other wildlife.
The first indication you’ve come into contact with poison ivy leaves is the persistent itching. Soon after, a red rash will appear that has blisters and raised bumps. The reason for these symptoms is the body’s allergic reaction to the urushiol, an oil within the leaves, roots, and stem of the plant. This sticky poison also lurks in the leaves, stems, and roots of poison oak and poison sumac.
Urushiol is odorless, colorless, and extremely viscous and can remain toxic for a long time after a plant has been pulled or cut. Direct contact with the plant isn’t always necessary to come in contact with urushiol oil. Tools, pets, and other outdoor equipment can pick up the oil and then transfer it to you.
Around 85% of the population has an allergic reaction after coming into contact with poison ivy and suffers from the itchy, painful skin rash that is the result. When urushiol gets on your skin, your body identifies it as an invader and triggers an immune response. This cascading effect involves swelling and redness of the skin, an itchy and irritating rash, followed by blistering.
It typically takes 24 hours or more before the signs of allergic contact dermatitis from poison ivy develop and can take at least a couple of weeks for healing to take place. Infection from excess itching or bacteria entering through an open wound may prolong healing. While you can spread the oil from your clothes and other items to someone else, the rash itself is not contagious and skin-to-skin contact should not be a concern.
The rash from poison ivy will heal on its own with time, but the other symptoms of itchiness and skin irritation can be quite bothersome. The following poison ivy remedies may provide some relief.
You're probably already familiar with these itchy-skin over-the-counter remedies, so let's dive in!
Poison ivy medicine can also be found right in your kitchen cabinet or pantry. Here are several natural home remedies to soothe itching, calm an inflamed rash, and speed healing.
Some people have a very dangerous reaction to poison ivy; the eyes and mouth can swell, swallowing and breathing can become difficult, and a fever can develop. If this ever happens to you, or the rash covers an extensive portion of your body, seek medical attention immediately. If you try over-the-counter medications or homemade remedies and cannot find relief after a week, see your doctor. If the rash is severe or begins to show signs of infection, stronger medications may be necessary.
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The best way to avoid brushing up against this poisonous plant is to bypass areas where it grows. If you do head out into the woods or an area where poison ivy is prolific, cover up with long pants, a sleeved shirt, boots, and tall socks. If you’re working in the garden or doing yard work, wear gloves and keep your eyes open.
Immediately upon returning home, remove all clothes and run them through the hot cycle of the wash. If you know you came in contact with poison ivy or want to prevent a rash just in case, get in the shower and wash your skin and nails with soap and warm water. Dish soap can also be useful in effectively removing any poisonous oil from your body. Many times if you are proactive about washing your skin within an hour of exposure, the risk of the rash developing or its severity can greatly be reduced. Also be sure to wash any outdoor items, gardening tools, and other equipment with water and soap.
If you are headed out for a hike or to the campsite, pack a poison ivy treatment kit that contains dish soap or poison ivy scrub, water, and rubbing alcohol. If you do become exposed to poison ivy, you will have a few tools to help combat a potential allergic reaction.
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