Poison Ivy Facts & How to Calm the Itch

I’ve been known to step into areas without looking while positioning myself for an outdoor photo-op. After researching this article, I think I’ll be more careful when rustling through the bush. Poison Ivy is certainly something to watch out for. It is estimated that over 50 million people have reactions to poison ivy, sumac and oak. And this includes people who aren’t allergic to anything else. Even if you have never had a reaction to the plant, people can become sensitized with repeated or more concentrated exposure to urushiol, the chemical that causes the reaction. Contact with any part of the plant or anything that has come in contact with the plant, like pets and clothing, can cause an itchy, oozing rash which takes about 24 hours to develop.

The plant can be found throughout the United States, except in the Southwest, Alaska, and Hawaii. Poison ivy typically grows in the form of a vine, often along riverbanks. So be extra careful when you are getting out of your kayak along the banks of unfamiliar streams. Poison ivy grows as a woody, ropelike vine that can grow along fences or up trees, a trailing shrub on the ground, or a freestanding shrub. It normally has three leaflets (groups of leaves all on the same small stem coming off the larger main stem), but may vary from groups of three to nine. The leaves are shiny green in the summer and red in the fall and have yellow or green flowers and white berries. The stem is usually red.

The best way to prevent getting the rash is to avoid the plant. When walking in the woods wear long pants, long sleeves and socks. Know what the plant looks like and if you do come in contact with a three-leafed plant be sure to wash all clothing and shoes as soon as possible with soap and hot water because the oil can remain active for long periods of time. The oil will bond with skin quite quickly so try to wash skin with soap and warm water within 30 minutes of contact and don’t forget to get under your fingernails with a brush to prevent the resin from spreading to other parts of your body.

There are also several ‘non-facts’ about Poison Ivy. Here are a few of those “myths” …
* Poison ivy is NOT harmless when the leaves have fallen off, as the toxic resin is very persistent. Every part of the plant contains urushiol, and can cause a rash with exposure at any time of the year.
* Ice, cold water, cooling lotions, or cold air do NOT help cure poison-ivy rashes, but cooling can soothe the itch. Calamine Lotion and hydrocortisone cream can be applied to reduce itching and blistering.
* The fluid from the resulting blisters does NOT spread poison ivy to others.
* Urine does NOT help ease the pain of blisters or itching.

So, watch where you walk on the riverbanks or lakeshores when you’re getting out of or launching your kayaks or inflatable fishing boats and keep this Summer “itch free”.

Calming Poison Ivy’s Itch

Poison ivy, sumac and oak are the most common causes of allergic rashes in this country. And some of the best places to come in contact with it are in the woods, by the beach and near the river. All places outdoor lovers like to frequent. The oil from these plants produce a rash in up to 85% of people whose skin absorbs it. Of course the best defense is to avoid the plants. However if exposure occurs, act quickly, within 30 minutes. Wash the area with soap and cold running water. Don’t scrub or use hot water. This may further open pores or cause more irritation. 

Here's some advice to reduce the itch and prevent further spreading: 

Ø      Try cool showers or compresses: massage the area with an ice cube to soothe itching.

Ø      The old standby, calamine lotion along with over the counter oral or topical antihistamines can help the itch.

Ø      Wash everything. Urushiol (yoo-ROO-shee-ol), the resin found in all tree plants, can stick around for five years. So launder clothes and shoes, and use rubbing alcohol to clean gardening tools that may have sap on them. Also, bathe your pets just in case. Pets don’t contract poison ivy, but they can carry the sap on their coats.

Ø      If the itch disrupts daily living, the rash covers the face, or particles from burning plants are inhaled, call your doctor. 

Ø      You can’t catch poison ivy from other people unless they touch you while the resin remains on their hands. 

Ø      Avoid scratching, because bacteria under your fingernails could cause infection. However, scratching won’t spread the rash to other body parts.