Treat and Prevent Poison Ivy and Poison Oak

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. - A
bothersome rash and intense itching following a day of gardening is
likely an allergic reaction to poison ivy, oak or sumac. Disturbing
these leafy plants while putting in a vegetable garden or flowerbed can
result in direct contact with the urushiol oil inside the stems, roots
or leaves.

"Ninety percent of the country is allergic to these plants,
with a reaction occurring when the urushiol oil inside the plant
touches the skin," says Stephen Pennisi, Ph.D., skin toxicologist and
director of the Lanacane Itch Information Center. "This occurs when the
stems or leaves are broken, which is easy to do this time of year,
since the younger, new plants are more delicate and susceptible to
breakage."

What to look for: Poison ivy consists of
three smooth or toothed leaflets, with the middle one having a longer
stalk. They are reddish when they emerge in the spring, but turn green
during the summer. Poison oak also has three leaflets, while poison
sumac consists of two rows of seven to 13 leaflets.

Preparing for the outdoors: Be aware of
what the leaflets look like and dress appropriately for being outdoors.
Wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants will help prevent the reaction to
the poisonous plants, but avoidance of the leaves altogether is the
best bet.

Quickly wash yourself: If you can wash skin
with soap and warm water within 15 minutes of contact with urushiol
oil, you may actually be able to prevent a skin reaction or, at least,
minimize the reaction.

Sanitize tools and clothing: Urushiol oil
from these plants, if kept dry and cool, can remain potent for up to
five years on contaminated garden tools and clothing, so it is very
important to wash all items immediately after use to avoid having an
allergic reaction whenever direct contact is made with the oil on the
clothes and tools. Touching a contaminated tool -- even one not used
since last summer -- can be the reason you get a "surprise" case of
poison ivy without actually going out into the garden.

Within one to two days after exposure, the itchy rash will
develop. Treatments will help relieve the symptoms, eliminate the
itchiness, soothe the inflamed skin and help avoid infection.

Relief from the refrigerator/freezer:
Carefully place an ice compress directly on the skin to temporarily
soothe itching and related swelling.

Source:
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