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Urushiol oil penetrates the top layer of skin and binds to cells deep in the epidermis. Bonding takes place in as little as 3 minutes or as long as 30 minutes. According to the American Academy of
Dermatology, 85 percent of the population will react to poison ivy. The severity varies from person to person. Some people don’t break out in a rash the first few times they’re exposed to it, but begin to after repeated exposures. If you know you’ve been in poison ivy, wash well with soap and water to wash the oil off prior to it bonding to your skin.
Once a rash and blisters have developed, treat a mild case with cold water compresses, cold showers, baking soda or oatmeal baths to dry the blisters. Over-the-counter remedies include calamine lotion, cortisone
cremes, Benadryl, Zanfel, Tech Nu and Anti-Itch Gel. Home or folk remedies include the unproven acorn paste or crushed crayfish poultice and the downright dangerous household bleach drench.
If you are caring for a person with the rash, don’t treat them like they have a contagious disease. Poison ivy cannot be spread from person to person by touching the rash on another person or from the fluid inside the rash’s blisters. It would be a good guess that this old wives’ tale got started because the rash can be spread to an unsuspecting person administering aid if the poison ivy oils remain on the skin, clothes, or shoes of an affected person.
A person should seek medical attention if the rash is on the face, genitals or over large parts of the body. About 15 percent of the 120 million Americans who are allergic to poison ivy are so highly sensitive that they break out in a rash and begin to swell in 4 to 12 hours instead of the normal 24 to 48. Their eyes may swell shut and blisters may erupt on their skin. Get such people to a hospital as soon as possible. A physician can also prescribe an antibiotic if an infection results from scratching the rash.
Poison ivy is often confused with the harmless Virginia creeper vine. For your safety, the safety of others and the safety of the poor Virginia creeper, learn the difference. Poison ivy can be identified by its three leaves on each stem and a vine with hairy-looking, aerial roots on the stem. Poison ivy produces small, white, inconspicuous flowers, and its fruit looks like clusters of miniature grapes that mature to a waxy green.
The best way to rid an area of poison ivy is with an application of a glyphosate or triclopyr product where no physical contact between you and the plant is made. Applications of the herbicide of choice are most effective in early fall when the plant is developing fruit, as this will sterilize the seeds and maximize herbicide movement into the root where the plant is storing nutrients for winter. Mature vines can be several inches in diameter and climb further into treetops than any home sprayer can reach. In this case, spray and kill lower leaves now, then when those leaves shrivel or fall off in a few weeks use an axe or hand saw to sever the vine as close to ground level as you can. Remember afterwards to clean your tools thoroughly. If new growth develops from the stump, it can then be easily sprayed with a hand sprayer in the fall. If you decide to pull the dead poison ivy vine down to burn it, keep in mind that the oil and subsequent rash can be transmitted in the smoke. |
