Who hasn't been on a relaxing hike or a fun picnic, only to come home with an itchy, maddening rash? Poison ivy has a reputation for ruining outdoor fun, but don't let it get you down! Let's learn how to identify and avoid this pesky plant.
Poison ivy or Toxicodendron radicans is a common plant found throughout the continental United States. Poison ivy carries an oily sap along the entire plant (leaves, stem, and vines) called urushiol. Over 75% of the population is allergic to the oil and will develop an unpleasant, itchy rash when they come into contact with the plant. Urushiol is easily spread from the plant to clothes, objects, or even dog fur and can be transferred further onto a person’s skin causing a rash. The rash is not contagious and cannot spread between people, however, urushiol can continue to be carried on clothes and under fingernails. It is typically treatable at home with remedies available over the counter and if mild, it will go away on its own over time.
Poison oak and sumac also carry urushiol, are similar in appearance to poison ivy, and can cause an uncomfortable rash when brushed against or touching an object that has been previously in contact with the plants. We will also talk about the differences between poison ivy, oak, and sumac later in the article. This will help you learn to prevent and treat the itch from all three plants.
The best strategy against developing poison ivy, oak, or sumac rash is prevention. It is important to learn how to recognize the plants and avoid them. But if you have already encountered these irritating plants, check out our tips about how to find relief from the itching and discomfort that we included below.
How to identify poison ivy
“Leaves of three, let it be” is a great rhyme to remember when it comes to identifying poison ivy. The leaves are typically found in groups of three, with the middle stem being the longest. The leaves can be both glossy and dull and in many different shades of green. They can also be different in texture and type of edges - some can be smooth and some toothed.
Photo by MDC Staff, courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation, mdc.mo.gov
Not many people know that poison ivy leaves change color with different seasons. The leaves can be more reddish and shinier in the spring, and red, orange, and yellow in the fall. The plant can also produce yellow flowers in the summer and whitish berries in the fall. Because urushiol is present throughout the entire plant including the stem and roots, poison ivy rash can occur even in winter!
Photo by Julianna Schroeder, courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation, mdc.mo.gov
Poison ivy grows as a shrub or a vine and can be found in woodsy areas, along hiking trails, and fields. It is also common to encounter poison ivy plants in people’s backyards and public parks.
Poison oak and poison sumac are closely related to poison ivy and both carry urushiol. They both have leaves of different shades of green that grow in clusters. Poison oak is very similar to poison ivy but differs in the leaf shape. Poison oak leaves are more irregularly lobed than those of poison ivy. Unlike poison ivy, poison sumac is more of a shrub or a small tree with multiple pairs of leaves growing along the stem with a single leaf on top of the cluster.
Poison ivy is native to the United States and can be found in most of the lower 48 states. Poison oak or Toxicodendron pubescens is most often found in the western Unites States; and poison sumac or Toxicodendron vernix is most common to wooded, moist areas of the southern United States.
How do you know if you have poison ivy?
It typically takes anywhere from 12 to 48 hours after the initial contact with the plant for symptoms to emerge. Poison ivy reaction symptoms include redness, itchiness and mild swelling. A rash may develop in streaks, following the trajectory of the plant across the skin. It is not uncommon for small blisters and increased itching to develop as the condition progresses. However, not everyone reacts the same way as some people are highly sensitive, while others have mild symptoms.
What happens to your body when you have poison ivy?
When individuals brush against or touch poison ivy, oak or sumac, the oily resin gets transferred from the plant onto clothes and eventually the skin. Urushiol then binds to skin proteins triggering an allergic reaction. The rash that typically forms is uncomfortable and itchy. However, it is extremely important not to itch or touch the rash as scratching spreads the oil causing increased irritation and further rash development and potentially blistering.
Most people are allergic to the irritating resin, however the severity of the allergic reaction depends on the sensitivity of the individual. It is common for some people not to have an allergic reaction when they first come into contact with poison ivy. The allergy develops over time and the severity of the reaction grows with every encounter.
What is the first stage of poison ivy?
Stage 1: First few hours after exposure
Mild redness and irritation may be present around the area of exposure. Some itching may occur.
Stage 2: 12-48 hours after exposure
Rash starts to appear and itching intensifies. The rash may continue to spread if scratching occurred in the first two stages.
Stage 3: Blistering phase
Blisters may form and the rash may ooze with irritation and itchiness at peak.
Stage 4: Healing phase
Rash and blisters dry up and scabs may form. Itching and discomfort decrease.
How long does poison ivy last?
A poison ivy allergic reaction, including the rash blistering and discomfort, typically lasts 1-3 weeks from the initial exposure to the oil resin. This duration depends on the severity of the allergic reaction and treatment. There are different factors that slow down the healing process such as scratching, improper care, and reinfection. As everyone reacts differently to poison ivy, there are a few symptoms to watch out for and consider contacting your doctor:
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Severe swelling
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Infection
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Fever
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Rash in sensitive areas (face or genitals)
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Symptoms worsen over time
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Over the counter medicine does not provide relief
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Symptoms keep you from sleeping
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Severe blistering
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Rash does not go away in 1-3 weeks
What NOT to put on poison ivy rash
Avoid anything that can further irritate the skin such as hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol and products containing bleach. It is important to resist the urge to scratch the itchy rash as scratching spreads the oil further causing additional rashes to develop and potentially cause an infection. Keep away from taking hot showers or baths as hot water may irritate the sensitive skin of the rash and intensify itching.
Stay away from over-the-counter medicine that is not targeted for poison ivy treatment specifically as they may contain ingredients that will further irritate the rash or cause a separate allergic reaction. Calamine lotion and creams containing antihistamines may also not be powerful enough to combat more severe reactions. Be cautious when using alcohol-based gels as well as having potential to dry out the skin excessively and increase itching.
How to cure poison ivy fast?
One of the most important steps in treating poison ivy rash is the action you take right after potential exposure. It is essential to remove the oily resin from the skin to prevent rash from developing. After Ivy Complete Wipes can be used to wash away the rash-causing oil, and provide maximum strength treatment for itch relief as well. After Ivy wipes were developed to prevent and treat any stage of exposure to poison ivy, oak, and sumac providing itch relief and eliminating the need for multiple products. After Ivy comes from the makers of After Bite, the #1 pharmacist recommended brand in specialty itch relief.
Immediately after contact, use After Ivy wipes to wash away the irritating oils from the skin stopping poison ivy in its tracks. After Ivy wipes can be used on-the-go when soap and water are not available. Remove any traces of poison ivy with one simple step - apply pressure and wipe across the affected area in one direction. No rinsing is required.
If a rash already exists from previous exposure, use the wipe to treat the skin and provide itch relief. After Ivy contains the maximum strength itch relieving formula with camphor as the active ingredient. Steroids and antihistamines contained in other itch relieving products have potential side effects like drowsiness that occur with widespread use. Camphor cools and soothes irritated skin, relieves itching and has no residual effects.
For best results, apply the maximum itch relief formula 3-4 times a day and avoid scratching of the affected area.
Why After Ivy wipes work
After Ivy is a must-have for poison ivy prevention and treatment. The wipes are ideal for hikers, gardeners, campers and travelers as no water or rinsing is required and the alcohol contained within the wipe effectively dissolves urushiol preventing the rash from spreading. After Ivy was designed for worry-free, outdoor adventures and comes in 16 individually wrapped wipes. The convenient pocket-sized wipes are ideal for keeping in a coat, backpack, car or in the medicine cabinet.
Summary
Poison ivy rash is the most common allergic reaction in the United States. It is important to be able to recognize the poisonous plants and avoid coming into contact with them. However, it is not always possible and in those cases, it is better to be prepared!
