[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]With
summer approaching, you may be looking forward to walking,
hiking and even setting up camp in the great outdoors. The key is to do so safely and enjoyably. To that end, it may help to be reminded about certain plants to watch out for in those pristine, natural settings. Assuming you are already on the alert for poison oak, what about poison ivy?
What is poison ivy?
Poison ivy grows throughout the United States, with a few exceptions, such as Alaska, Hawaii, and certain areas of the West Coast. Poison ivy grows as a vine, with three-leaf clusters. The point-shaped leaves are an intense shade of green the better part of the year, and only occasionally yellow or red. The plant may sometimes feature pale green flowers and pale yellow berries. The leaves are characteristically shiny, due to the urushiol oil they contain, which is a dense mixture of organic chemicals called catechols, found in the sap and other parts of certain plants.
According to the Brandywine Conservancy,
poison ivy can be difficult to identify because of its variable appearance. For example, it can be found as a vine climbing fences, posts and trees, growing low as a trail vine or established upright, as a shrub. The vine is the easiest form to identify because of its unique “hairy” appearance; the hairs are rootlets.
How does poison ivy differ from poison oak?
People often confuse poison oak and poison ivy, even though they are two different plants entirely. Only poison ivy grows consistently with three leaves, one on each side and one in the center, which are shiny with smooth or slightly notched edges. Poison oak looks similar, but the leaves are larger and more rounded, like an oak leaf. What the two plants have in common is the toxic oil they contain, urushiol, which is responsible for the troubling symptoms following exposure.
What are the some poison ivy symptoms?
If you have encountered poison ivy, it may take a day or two for symptoms to fully develop. When they do, they typically include an itchy skin rash with associated blisters, redness and swelling. However, not everyone is affected in the same manner; symptoms may vary greatly among sufferers. You might only develop a minor rash, whereas someone else might be afflicted with a blistering, full body rash.
How common is a poison ivy rash?
If you think it unlikely you will ever have to face this issue, you might be surprised to learn that up to 90 percent of people who are exposed to poison ivy develop an itchy, inflamed rash. You are typically susceptible to a poison ivy rash at any time in your life, even if you have never reacted to this plant in the past. Nor does it take much of the toxic urushiol oil to cause a reaction. Amazingly, as little as 50 micrograms—an amount smaller than a grain of salt—is enough to initiate troubling symptoms.
How to prevent poison ivy rashes
To reduce your risk of being afflicted by poison ivy, consider these prevention tips:
- Learn to spot poison ivy when you are outdoors walking, hiking, foraging, camping, rock climbing or Earthing. Earthing, also called electric nutrition, is the practice of walking barefoot in nature, allowing people to directly connect their bodies with the Earth and use its natural electric charges to stabilize them.
- Clean your garden tools and gloves regularly. This is important because even if poison ivy cannot be passed directly from person to person, you can still be exposed to urushiol oil through clothing, pets, garden tools, and other items that have been in contact with these plants. Amazingly, this toxic oil can linger for years on various surfaces.
- Most pets are not sensitive to poison ivy, but the oil can stick to their fur and cause a reaction in someone who pets them. You may want to bathe your dog after taking any long nature hikes together, as he or she may have run into poison ivy. As an extra precaution, wear dishwashing gloves while bathing your four-legged friend.
What should you do if you have been exposed to poison ivy?
If you have encountered poison ivy, wash your skin in
mild, natural soap and cool water as soon as possible. The sooner you cleanse the skin, the greater the chance that you can prevent further spread. If you develop blisters, take care not to scratch them. Not only will this slow their healing, but you could also end up with a bacterial infection under your fingernails. The rash, blisters, and itch normally disappear in several weeks.
Natural remedies for poison ivy
According to the Mayo Clinic, beyond over-the-counter products specific to the condition, safe home-based
natural remedies for poison ivy relief include a cool-water bath prepared with about a half cup (100 grams) of baking soda or an oatmeal-based bath product, such as
Aveeno. Additionally, you can place cool, wet compresses on the affected area for 15 to 30 minutes several times per day.
Safe, natural over-the-counter products can promote relief and help support healing, including:
What if you have an especially bad case of poison ivy?
Most cases of poison ivy heal on their own, but in certain instances, there may be complications. You might want to consult a physician if:
- You have a temperature reaching over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Your rash is widespread and severe.
- Your rash appears like an open would with pus and soft yellow scabs.
- You find your rash spreading to your eyes, mouth or genital area.
- Your rash expands to more than 25 percent of your skin.
- You have trouble breathing.
- Your rash fails to improve, even after two to three weeks.
When it comes to enjoying the natural world
without injuries or health issues, knowledge is power. Learning how to recognize poison ivy is an important case in point. This will allow you to scout it out early on when camping, hiking, picnicking, or otherwise enjoying being out in the great outdoors. Teach your children to do so too!
Many families who enjoy being out in nature take the clever precaution of preparing and maintaining a wellness kit to ensure they can address whatever may arise, at least until they can get back to the nearest city or doctor. Including poison ivy remedies among other first aid supplies is a wise move. Consider a
medicated soap and a
healing salve or balm for relief, at minimum, as these pack a wonderful double punch to support speedy recovery and minimize discomfort.
These precautions can help ensure you and your loved ones will be happy and healthy campers, hikers, foragers or general naturalists. Cheers to your safe, enjoyable outdoor exploration![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title="Featured Products" border_width="2"][vc_row_inner equal_height="yes" content_placement="middle" gap="15"][vc_column_inner width="1/5"][vc_single_image image="175485" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1717156317102{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/green-goo-poison-ivy-salve-large-tin"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/5"][vc_single_image image="175488" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1717156377640{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/earths-care-anti-itch-cream-2-4-oz"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/5"][vc_single_image image="175486" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1717156396780{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/marie-originals-poison-ivy-oak-sumac-soap"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/5"][vc_single_image image="175487" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1717156423298{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/neilmed-anti-itch-spray-hydrocortison-1"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/5"][vc_single_image image="175484" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1717156445433{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/boericke-tafel-oral-ivy-1-fl-oz"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]
