Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac

Google 'poison ivy'at Google Images. There's a range of photos. One of the helpful sites is the following: http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.ppws.vt.edu/scott/weed_id/poisonivy8-11b.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.ppws.vt.edu/scott/weed_id/toxra.htm&usg=__jUa4F7yTgbQ_3JbnBmu7VuQTHq8=&h=386&w=400&sz=98&hl=en&start=2&tbnid=7dSgwddxRxvcfM:&tbnh=120&tbnw=124&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpoison%2Bivy%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den. The site gives information through text and photos of the plant in different stages and situations.

: When you talk Poison-ivy, you're talking Urushiol poisoning. Urushiol is very sophisticated oil-based, hydrophobic toxin. When it comes in contact with skin, you have about 15 minutes to wash it off, with a strong surfactant/soap. After that, it bonds at the cellular level (and after that point is no longer "contagious"). It seems to modify skin cells and others, so that your immune system cannot identify them as part of your body, and a T-cell mediated immune reaction commences. In other words -- this is a toxin that induces an allergic reaction. And after 15 minutes, all we can do is treat the effects and wait for it to go away. There are a few vaccines out there, but they aren't generally available, and only work if applied before the contact. : Note that, once the reaction appears, it doesn't really "spread", even though it appears to. What's happening is that areas that got the biggest dose of urushiol manifest first. Lighter doses show up later. While you can re-infect from cloths and such that picked this up, you can't infect from the lesions. : People generally get urushiol poisoning with by direct contact with the plant, or from clothing that contacted the plant. Urushiol is super-persistant, so you have to wash the heck out of everything that might have come in contact with it. Dry cleaning works too, in that anything that breaks down oils will do the job. : About 20%-30% (roughly) of all people don't react to urushiol on first contact, but most seem to develop a sensitivity over multiple exposures. Native Americans seem to be highly resistant to this toxin, likely from evolutionary pressure, as this appears mostly on the North American continent. You pretty much can't go through your life without meeting up with urushiol at least once. In fact, this accounts for about 10% of the US Forest Services medical leave. : The symptoms are typically a rash with blisters that weep a transparant liquid -- clear or yellowish. Note that this liquid doesn't carry the toxin at all. The rash is extremely itchy. Normally, the rash doesn't appear until 24-48 hours after exposure (and sometimes as much as a few days), and lasts up to 14 days (but more usually 4 or 5 days). Blisters that seep pus instead of a clear liquid are showing indications of a secondary infection -- more on this in a second. : As this is an immune reaction, it's safe to treat it as one. First, DON'T scratch it -- it'll just make things worse. Epsom salt baths in cool water have been known to be effective -- a little. Also, consider a cortizone ointment on the surface. : One systemic that works is diphenhydramine -- for this I like a big dose that both puts you to sleep and stops the histaminic reaction. So read the max dosage on the box and go there -- make sure you have nothing else to do that day :} : I've tried topical painkillers like lidocaine. For me, it does a great job for about 20 minutes and then it's back to normal. It wouldn't hurt to try but I doubt that'll help much. : If you can't control it with diphenhydramine, baths and cortisone ointment, your doctor can prescribe prednisone -- a powerful anti-inflamatory, and this Does work. Your doctor will tell you this, but be Very careful with the dosage --- you starting with a large loading dose and gradually ease off -- the doctor and the package will explain this in detail. : Most of the time, your doc will administer prednisone orally. Injectable prednisone works very well indeed too. : However... : Scratching and general cellular destruction opens the door to a secondary infection -- often staph or strep -- and these are bad news. To avoid this, keep the affected area super-clean (but dont scratch!). If you start seeing pus, treat that area first with antiseptics. If that doesn't work, talk to your doc about antibiotics. : Now -- here's the rub: : Prednisone reduces your immune system response (which is why its used against urushiol toxin), which means that it's easier for you to pick up that secondary infection. So you really have to keep on top of this. : The advise above is excellent but if you aren't really sure what the rash is then I would suggest going to a doctor for a diagnosis. I have gotten poison ivy every year of my life and I always treat it myself except one time I had it so bad that I had to seek medical treatment. Another Add on: Calamine Lotion is also good for something that will prevent itching as well. It is a topical cream.

When you talk poison ivy, you're talking urushiol poisoning. Urushiol is a very sophisticated oil-based, hydrophobic toxin. When it comes into contact with skin, you have about 15 minutes to wash it off with a strong surfactant/soap. After that, it bonds at the cellular level (and after that point is no longer "contagious"). It seems to modify skin cells and others, so that your immune system cannot identify them as part of your body, and a T-cell mediated immune reaction commences. In other words -- this is a toxin that induces an allergic reaction.

And after 15 minutes, all we can do is treat the effects and wait for it to go away. There are a few vaccines out there, but they aren't generally available, and only work if applied before the contact.

Note that, once the reaction appears, it doesn't really "spread," even though it appears to. What is happening is that the areas that got the biggest dose of urushiol manifest first. Lighter doses show up later. While you can re-infect from cloths and such that picked this up, you can't infect from the lesions. People generally get urushiol poisoning from direct contact with the plant, or from clothing that came into contact with the plant.

Urushiol is super-persistent, so you have to wash the heck out of everything that might have come into contact with it. Dry-cleaning works too, in that anything that breaks down oils will do the job.

About 20%-30% (roughly) of people don't react to urushiol on first contact, but most seem to develop a sensitivity over multiple exposures. Native Americans seem to be highly resistant to this toxin, likely from evolutionary pressure, as this appears mostly on the North American continent. You pretty much can't go through your life without meeting up with urushiol at least once. In fact, this accounts for about 10% of the US Forest Services' medical leave.

The symptoms are typically a rash with blisters that weep a transparent liquid -- clear or yellowish. Note that this liquid doesn't carry the toxin at all. The rash is extremely itchy. Normally, the rash doesn't appear until 24-48 hours after exposure (and sometimes after a few days, even), and lasts up to 14 days (but more usually 4-5 days). Blisters that seep pus instead of a clear liquid are showing indications of a secondary infection -- more on this later.

As this is an immune reaction, it's safe to treat it as one. First, DON'T scratch it -- it'll just make things worse. Epsom salt baths in cool water have been known to be effective -- a little. Also, consider a cortisone ointment on the surface.

One systemic that works is diphenhydramine -- for this, I like a big dose that both puts you to sleep and stops the histaminic reaction. So read the maximum dosage on the box and go there -- but make sure you have nothing else to do that day...

I've tried topical painkillers like Lidocaine. For me, it does a great job for about 20 minutes and then it's back to normal. It wouldn't hurt to try, but I doubt that it'll help much.

If you can't control it with diphenhydramine, baths and cortisone ointment, your doctor can prescribe Prednisone -- a powerful anti-inflammatory -- and this DOES work. Please be VERY careful with the dosage: You start off with a large loading dose and gradually ease off -- the doctor and the package will explain this in detail.

Most of the time, your doctor will administer Prednisone orally, but injectable Prednisone also works very well indeed.

However...

Scratching and general cellular destruction open the door to a secondary infection -- often staph or strep -- and these are bad news. To avoid this, keep the affected area super-clean (but don't scratch!). If you start seeing pus, treat that area first with antiseptics. If that doesn't work, talk to your doc about antibiotics. Now -- here's the rub:

Prednisone reduces your immune-system response (which is why it's used against urushiol toxin), which means that it's easier for you to pick up that secondary infection. So you really have to keep on top of this.

Did I mention no scratching?

Yes, poison ivy produces white, waxy berries that contain seeds. The seeds are spread by birds and other animals that eat the berries and then disperse them through their droppings, aiding in the plant's reproduction.

Poison sumac has smooth, hairless red stems and white/gray berries compared to harmless sumac species that have red, hairy stems and red berries. Poison sumac also has leaves with 7-13 leaflets arranged in pairs along the stem, and it typically grows in wet or damp areas. Avoid touching or coming into contact with any plant that you suspect to be poison sumac.

Itchy, irritated bumps on the hands that resemble poison ivy could be a result of contact dermatitis from exposure to an irritant or allergen. This condition can come and go depending on the exposure. It is advisable to see a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and management.

Poison sumac is a shrub or small tree with smooth, hairless leaves that typically cluster in groups of 7-13, forming a leaflet at the end of a stem. The leaves are oval-shaped and have a waxy appearance, with a shiny green color that turns red or orange in the fall. It produces small, greenish-white flowers in loose clusters that develop into white berries.

If you have a severe allergy to poison ivy, you will most likely also be allergic to cashews. Cashews are from the poison ivy family, and can contain similar allergens. The reason you never see cashews with a shell on them is because the shell has the same irritating oils that poison ivy leaves have on them.

Most people that have minor skin breakouts from poison ivy (not a severe allergy) should not have an issue with consuming cashews.

Poison Ivy can be spread to multiple locations while shingles will follow limited individual nerve paths on one side of the body. Additionally, shingles is very painful. Poison Ivy rash can sometimes be dotted trails along the leg if one walked through it. Inspect your entire body for multiple rashes from cross contamination to distinguish the two.

Everywhere in the US and southern Canada except the far west, deserts and at high altitude. In the west they have poison oak, which is very similar. Both love roadsides and edges of fields. Anybody know how far into Canada and Mexico it goes?

You can, if you have placed the leaves in contact with your tongue, or with something that had the plant's toxins (Urushiol) on it.

There's no topical treatment for poison ivy in your mouth except perhaps sucking on ice chips to numb the area. In this unusual case, your doctor might consider a course of prednisone (which I'd recommend he start with an injection).

If this in any way comes even a little close to impairing your breathing, off you go to the Emergency room. Poison Ivy works as an allergy works, with all the incumbant dangers allergies present.

You can also get it in your mouth or tongue by burning it. The toxins travel in the smoke as well.

Zanfel is specifically designed to treat poison ivy, oak, and sumac reactions by removing the toxin that causes the rash. It is not intended for treating acne. For acne, it is recommended to use products specifically formulated to address acne-causing factors such as excess oil production, bacteria, and inflammation.

My wife and I planted 6 Junipers a couple of days ago. Her arms are covered with a rash where mine are fine, both having wore short sleeve shirts. I'm not familiar with what poison ivy rash looks like, so I couldn't say if this is similar. Both of us are fair-skin with freckles. She's definitely a redhead, where you can see a tinge of red in my beard. I don't know if this makes her more sensitive, or not. I do recall installing fiberglass with a group of guys and them asking why I wasn't itching like they were. It never bothered me, I guess. Related??

The movie you are referring to is "A League of Their Own" (1992), directed by Penny Marshall. The film is about the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League during World War II and features the scene where the song "Poison Ivy" by The Coasters is played at the end of the game.

Yes, Poison Ivy is a confirmed Character. She will definitly be in the game. Just go to Google and type in LEGO Batman then click wikipedia then scroll down she is going to be in the confirmed characters.

Mixing cocaine with steroids can increase the risk of cardiovascular issues like heart attack or stroke. It can also exacerbate the negative side effects of both substances, such as increased blood pressure and heart rate. Additionally, combining these substances can lead to unpredictable interactions and potential overdose risks.

Poisen ivy is a very annoying rash that you can get very easy. And i am going to tell you guys a couple of methods you could use. 1.) one method that i usally use is put bleach on the area of the rash it dries out tue poisen ivy (you can also use rubbing alchaole). 2.belive it or not you could use a bannana peel just rub in on the infected area. 3. You can also use spray deodrant containing aluminiam. 4.try vinegar a little faster working but it stings for a couple of seconds. 5. Taking a warm shower and or bath could releive the itching for a period of time. 6. Taking a bath in oatmeal could help....I hope that kind of helped you guys out good luck with getting rid of your rash

Yes, in the early stages it can. When the oil of the plant, urushiol, remains on the skin, skin to skin contact with the affected area may spread the rash from person to person. It can also be spread through unwashed clothing that was in contact with urushiol from the plant or the skin. Once the oils are washed from or fully absorbed into the skin, it can no longer be passed from person to person.

An old saying serves to differentiate between the similar poison ivy and Virginia creeper. For the five-leaved Virginia creeper tends not to be noxious to humans. But with poison ivy, it's well to remember 'leaves of three let it be'. Additionally, poison ivy has a light-colored berryabout which the warning is 'berries of white run in fright'.

Poison ivy can cause a red, itchy rash with bumps or blisters. The rash often appears in streaks or patches where the plant's leaves brushed against the skin. If you suspect you have come in contact with poison ivy, wash the affected area with soap and water as soon as possible and seek medical attention if the rash is severe.

Yes, blisters from a poison ivy rash can ooze yellow liquid. This is a common reaction as the body tries to get rid of the irritant. It is important to avoid scratching the blisters to prevent infection.

Urushiol (pronounced oo-roo-shee-ohl), is a chemical in the sap of poison ivy, this sap can stick to people, pets, garden tools, balls, or anything it comes in contact with. If the urushiol isn't washed off those objects or animals, just touching them--for example, picking up a ball, petting a dog, or hugging a gardener could cause a reaction in a susceptible person. Urushiol that's rubbed off the plants onto other things can remain potent for years, depending on the environment.

To clean your baseball glove from poison ivy, first put on protective gloves to avoid direct contact with the poison ivy oils. Use a mild soap and water solution to clean the glove thoroughly, focusing on areas that may have come into contact with the poison ivy. Rinse the glove well and allow it to air dry completely before using it again.