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Q1. |
How
do I recognize the poison plants?
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A. |
The
saying "Leaves of three, let it be" is often used to describe the
poison plants. This is a handy way to recognize poison ivy and
poison oak, but it's better to memorize what these plants look like.
Not all three-leaved plants are toxic. And some that are toxic have
more than three leaves.
Poison Ivy. The Latin name for poison ivy is T. radicans.
This hardy plant may grow as a vine that climbs on trees and other
surfaces up to about 50 feet. It may also grow as a shrub about 4-5
feet high.
Poison ivy can grow in a variety of conditions. It especially likes
sandy, stony, or rocky shores of streams, rivers, and lakes. It also
sprouts in thickets, along the borders of woods, and in forest
openings. Birds feed on the plant's fruit and spread its seeds in
their droppings.
The
leaves of poison ivy are usually arranged in groups of three, but
they may also appear in fives or sevens. In each cluster, the middle
leaf grows on a stalk that is much longer than those on the sides.
The leaves in a cluster are usually fairly equal in size, from
one-half inch to two inches long. Their edges may be slightly
notched or smooth. They are shiny when young and turn a brilliant
red in fall. The flowers of poison ivy are yellowish to greenish
white, about one-quarter inch in diameter, and grow in clusters on a
slender stem. Small, berry-like, whitish or greenish fruit, about
one-sixth of an inch across, appears after the flowers have faded
and are glossy and dry when ripe.
Poison Oak. As its name suggests, the leaves of T.
diversilobum, or poison oak, are lobed like those of an oak tree.
Poison oak leaves are a little larger than poison ivy's and grow in
groups of three, five, or seven. The plant's flowers and fruit are
similar to those of poison ivy. Also like poison ivy, poison oak may
grow as a vine or a shrub up to 3 feet high. The leaves have short,
smooth hair on the undersides, and berries are fuzzy and white.
Poison oak loses its leaves in the winter, but the plant remains
toxic in all seasons.
Poison Sumac. T. vernix, or poison sumac, is less
widespread than poison ivy and poison oak. More common in the
Midwest, poison sumac grows as tall as a tree or shrub with clusters
of 7 to 13 leaves arranged in pairs with one leaf at the end. Its
small, yellowish flowers grow in clusters and mature into
whitish-green berries that hang in loose clusters up to 12 inches
long. There is also a species of sumac that is not poisonous and has
red berries. To be on the safe side, though, always assume that any
plant resembling poison sumac is probably toxic. |
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Q2. |
What
causes the rash? |
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A. |
Poison
ivy, oak, and sumac all contain an oil called urushiol. This oil is
not really a poison, but it is made up of chemicals that are
powerful allergens (substances that cause an allergic reaction). In
half to two-thirds of people, urushiol causes an allergic reaction
known as contact dermatitis. The resulting rash consists of swollen,
itchy, red bumps and blisters that appear wherever the oil has
touched the skin.
Urushiol is present in the stems, leaves, and roots of the poison
plants. The only parts of these plants that do not contain the oil
are certain parts of the flower (the anther), the pollen, the
outermost membrane of the stem and leaves (the epidermis), and a
particular kind of tissue found inside the stem (xylem). For all
practical purposes, though, it's best to consider all parts of these
plants as able to cause the rash.
Urushiol is released when the epidermis of the plant is broken. Even
the tiniest scrape or break in this membrane can release the oil.
These plants are poisonous at all times of the year but are even
more so in spring and summer, when the leaves are tender and bruise
easily.
You
don't have to touch these plants directly to get the rash. Urushiol
is a sticky, long-lasting substance that can easily remain on your
clothing and shoes. Dogs, cats, and horses can carry the oil on
their coats and transfer it to your skin long after you've left the
woods. Especially under dry conditions, the oil can retain its
effects for a very long time. In one case, museum workers handling a
100-year-old specimen developed a rash from the oil! Smoke from the
burning of these plants can also cause the rash and can affect the
nose, throat, eyes, and lungs. |
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Q3. |
How
and when does the rash appear? |
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A. |
The rash
from poison ivy, oak, and sumac usually appears within 24 to 48
hours after contact with the plant. In some cases, though, the rash
may not appear for a few days afterward. The worst stage of the rash
usually occurs within a week of exposure. Depending on how severe it
is, the rash may take 2 or 3 weeks to heal. The
rash from these plants occurs most often on parts of the body where
the skin is thinnest, like the wrists, ankles, neck, and face. At
first the area may appear reddish, and you may feel a mild stinging
or itching. Red bumps then appear, often in streaks or patches where
you rubbed against the plant. Itching can become severe before the
bumps turn into blisters. These may ooze a clear, yellowish fluid.
The blisters begin to crust over and dry up as the rash subsides. |
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Q4. |
Can
the rash spread? |
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A. |
The rash
from poison plants is not "contagious." Only the oil itself can be
spread to other parts of the body or to another person. Sometimes,
after the rash has developed in one place on your body, it may seem
to suddenly appear elsewhere. This fact leads many people to think
that the rash can be spread by scratching or bathing, or by touching
another person's rash. This is not true, however. The rash may take
days to appear after contact with the plant, and your skin varies in
thickness over different parts of your body. This is why all of the
affected areas may not show the rash at the same time. In
fact, keeping the area of the rash clean with soap and water is a
good way to help it heal faster. Neither the blisters themselves nor
the fluid they secrete contain urushiol. Touching them will not
spread the rash to a new location on either your own body or someone
else's, unless urushiol is present on the skin. Still, it is best to
avoid touching or scratching the rash. |
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Q5. |
How do I treat
the rash? |
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A. |
The best
way to treat the rash is to catch it early. At the very first sign
of a rash, or if you think that you have come in contact with one of
these plants, wash the affected area with plain soap and cool water
as soon as possible. Keep the area clean, cool, and dry as much as
possible. And above all, don't scratch! Most
cases of poison ivy, oak, and sumac may be extremely uncomfortable
but do not pose a serious health threat. Several types of
over-the-counter medications can provide relief. Creams and
ointments, such as Benadryl or hydrocortisone cream or Caladryl
lotion, can soothe the itching. If you do use a cream or ointment,
wash it off and dry the area before reapplying it. An oral
antihistamine, such as Benadryl, can lessen the allergic symptoms.
You can also soothe the itching by applying cool compresses or
soaking the area in cool water with baking soda.
If
the rash covers a large area of your body or is near your eyes, call
your doctor. He or she may prescribe an oral corticosteroid to
lessen the swelling and itching. There are also prescription creams
and ointments that may provide relief.
Some
persons may have a severe reaction to poison ivy, oak, or sumac, to
the point where hospitalization is needed. If the rash covers more
than one-quarter of your body, the allergens in the plant oil may
cause a systemic reaction. Go to the emergency room of a hospital if
you have any of the following symptoms along with a severe rash:
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Fever, headache, or nausea |
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Trouble breathing or shortness of breath |
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Extremely sore or painful rash that interferes with normal
activity |
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Swollen lymph nodes in your neck, under your arms, or in the groin |
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Blisters that continue to ooze after a few weeks |
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Q6. |
Preventing the poison plants' effects |
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A. |
Prevention is the best way to avoid the effects of the poison
plants. The first step is to learn what they look like at all
seasons of the year in the area where you live. Pay attention to the
plants around you when you are outside, especially in wooded or
overgrown areas. When
you come in from your walk in the woods, wash your clothing in warm
water. If you encountered the poison plants while outside, scrub off
your boots or shoes before bringing them into the house. Remember,
the oil from these plants can remain on surfaces for days or weeks.
If
you find one of these plants in your yard, remove it with care. Wear
long pants and sleeves, heavy work gloves, and closed shoes or
boots. Pull or dig out the entire plant, making sure to get as much
of the root as possible. Avoid touching any part of the plant, and
keep children and pets out of the area until you are finished. Never
burn the plants. Instead, place them in a heavy, tightly sealed
plastic lawn bag and dispose of them.
If
you think a pet has been near an area with poison ivy, oak, or
sumac, bathe the animal in warm, soapy water. Wear long sleeves and
rubber gloves to avoid getting the oil on your skin.
If
you live in a rural area, you may be able to control the growth of
poison ivy, oak, and sumac with livestock grazing. Goats and cows
will eat these plants with no ill effects, but grazing needs to
continue for several years to be effective. |
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Q7. |
What
can I do to relieve the itch?
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A. |
There is no cure for
the rash once it begins, only relief of the symptoms. Avoid further contact
with the plant oils if possible. Removal of any remaining oils in the early
stages of the rash (i.e., first 24-48 hours) can help reduce its severity
and duration.
Minor itching, pain, oozing, and swelling can be relieved with
over-the-counter anti-itch treatments that contain zinc acetate,
diphenhydramineHCI, menthol zinc oxide, or hydrocortisone. In sever cases a
physician can prescribe antihistamine creams, tablets, or shots.
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Q8. |
Do the blisters cause the
rash to spread?
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A. |
No. The blisters are the body's natural allergic reaction to poisonous
plants. If the blisters break and ooze, the fluid does not contain
the oils that cause spreading. Oils from the original contact with the plant
that have not bonded with skin cells continue spreading (unless removed) for
the first 1 or 2 days. If new areas of rash appear after 3 days, you are
getting re-exposed to the plant oils, most likely from contaminated
clothing, tools, or even your cat or dog. |
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Q9. |
How long will the rash last? |
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A. |
Mild cases
can last 5-12 days. More severe cases can last up to 30 days or longer,
due to re-exposure. |
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Q10. |
Can I get the rash from
someone else?
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A. |
Generally speaking, no. Once the rash appears (i.e. within 1-3 days),
the original oil has all bonded to the victim's skin, so it can't be
spread to others.
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Q11. |
How long do the urushiol oils last?
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A. |
OILS DO NOT EVAPORATE and can remain active for a year or longer
after being picked up on tools, clothing, animal fur, etc. |
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Q12. |
Should I break the blisters?
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A. |
Never break the blisters! An open blister can easily become infected and
lead to blood poisoning. If the blisters break, cover loosely with a sterile
bandage. |
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Q13. |
I've never
gotten the rash before. Can I get it now?
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A. |
Yes, you can begin getting the rash at any time during your life. Three
out of four people are sensitive to poison oak and ivy. Sensitivity is just
a matter of being exposed enough times until the body becomes allergic to
the poison oil. |
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Q14. |
Should I wrap or
cover the rash with bandages?
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A. |
Air is helpful to healing any wound. If you cover the rash with a sterile
bandage, cover lossely to allow healing oxygen to reach the surface of the
skin. It is important to keep the rash very clean; changing the sterile
bandage frequently reduces the risk of infection. Seek medical attention if
rash becomes red, feverish or shows other signs of infection. |
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Q15. |
Are dead plants safe to
touch? |
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A. |
No. The
poison oils remain toxic and do not evaporate. All parts of the living
or dead poison plants, including the roots, contain the urushiol oils.
Be especially careful of dead vines on firewood and leafless vines in
the winter. |
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Q16. |
Do I
need to clean urushiol oil from clothing and tools?
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A. |
Yes. The poison oil will remain active on these articles and can
cause a rash months, or even years later. Removal of the oil with a
thorough cleansing is important to avoid contaminating unsuspecting
victims in the future. |
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Q17. |
Can I get the rash from my
pets?
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A. |
Yes. Since the animals' fur protects their skin from the poison oil,
they won't get a rash. However, the oil will remain on their fur and
will contaminate you when you touch them. Removal of the poison oil from
your pet with a thorough, effective cleanser will help avoid
contaminating you and your family with an unwanted and unsuspected rash. |
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Q18. |
Is it possible to get a rash by breathing the smoke of burning poison
plants?
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A. |
Yes. The urushiols are carried in the smoke from burning leaves or brush.
If you think you have inhaled the oils, see your physician immediately; this
can be a very serious condition. In several states it is illegal to burn
poison plants. NEVER BURN IT! Avoid breathing the smoke. |
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Q19. |
Does bleach remove the urushiol oils or help heal the rash?
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A. |
No. Bleach may appear to be a quick fix to poison plant rash. However,
bleach removes the top layer(s) of your skin. Using it can irritate your
skin and in the process weaken it so that the rash may become worse, or it
could lead to an infection. Your skin may then become more sensitive to
getting the rash in the future. |
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