Now that summertime is here, most of us will be spending more time enjoying the great outdoors. But many a great summer day can be ruined by exposure to poisonous plants such as poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac. All three plants contain oil called urushiol that causes an allergic skin reaction to humans. Prevention is the key to avoiding the rash and uncomfortable itching caused by exposure to these plants.
Plant identification is half the battle to preventing exposure. Poison ivy has three leaves on each stem. The leaves are shiny with smooth or slightly notched edges. Poison oak looks similar but has larger leaves with rounded notches and a textured leaf. Like poison ivy, each stem can have three leaves, but the stems can have clusters of five or seven leaves as well. Both can be found growing as vines or shrubs. Poison sumac leaves grow in groups of seven to 13, but each stem will always have one leaf at the end. It grows as a shrub or a tree.
You should carefully remove any poisonous plants found on your property, getting as much of the root as possible. The oil continues to be active even after the plants are dead so be sure to cover all exposed skin and wash your hands and clothes afterward. Dispose of the plants in a trash sack. Do not burn the plants as the oil will be released into the air and can irritate your skin, eyes, nose and respiratory tract.
If you accidentally come in contact with one of these plants, a red, itchy rash may appear anywhere from four to 48 hours after exposure. You may also have bumps or blisters on your skin or swelling around the irritated skin. The rash could last from one to three weeks, depending on how much your skin was exposed to the oil.
If you are knowingly exposed to poisonous plants, wash your hands with lukewarm water and soap. If a rash develops, keep it cool, dry and clean. Anti-itch lotions or creams, over-the-counter medications and home remedies, such as bathing in oatmeal or baking soda, can help relieve the itching. Wash your clothes and clean any shoes and garden tools that came in contact with the plant.
Seek medical attention if the rash is widespread on your body, doesn’t go away with home treatment, is around your eyes or if a severe allergic reaction occurs including swelling of the tongue or throat, chest tightness, nausea, fever, extreme soreness around the rash, swollen lymph nodes or difficulty breathing.
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Contact Lora Pullin, Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences in Greenup County at 606-836-0201 or lora.pullin@uky.edu. (Source Nicole Peritore) Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin.
