Poison Ivy, Oak, And Sumac

Poison ivy, oak, and sumac are hardy weeds that can be found throughout the United States, except in Hawaii, Alaska, and some desert areas of Nevada, says Epstein. Poison ivy is found east of the Rockies, poison oak grows in the West and Southwest, and poison sumac thrives east of the Mississippi River. All three produce similar reactions, and if you're allergic to one, you'll probably react to the others as well. Cases of poison ivy, oak, and sumac affect 10 to 50 million people in the United States each year, Epstein says. In fact, these plants constitute the single most common cause of allergic reactions. A lucky 10 to 15 percent of Americans are tolerant of these plants, but another 10 to 15 percent are quite sensitive to them. The rest of us fall somewhere in between, with varying levels of sensitivity.

What muddies the waters is that a person's sensitivity can change over time, even from season to season. You could be quite sensitive to poison ivy as a child and carry no allergy to the weed as an adult. "Some people will never get poison ivy, and others may get it at any age," says William Dvorine, M.D., chief of dermatology at St. Agnes Hospital in Baltimore. "It a reaction to one of these plants can appear early in childhood, or sometimes it can appear late in life," Dvorine says. So it's not safe to assume that you will always be immune if you are now. But on average, says Epstein, a person's sensitivity tends to decline with age.

Your level of sensitivity determines how bad a reaction you'll have. Once the oil touches the skin, it starts to penetrate in minutes. With in 12 to 48 hours, a red, itchy rash appears, followed by blisters that may weep and later get crusty. The area usually heals in about ten days. Among the very sensitive population, affected areas will quickly swell up, the rash can be severe and painful, and the reaction may take up to three weeks to clear up if left untreated. For those in this category, Epstein says it's important to see a doctor as soon as they realize they've been in contact with the plant. Even for people who are not that sensitive, a rash from poison ivy, oak, or sumac is no fun. So here are some tips for preventing the problem in the first place and some simple ways to treat the rash if it does occur. (While the remedies often refer to poison ivy, the steps are generally appropriate for poison oak and poison sumac as well.)

Know The Plant So You Can Avoid It : Find out what the plant looks like in your area, because appearance will vary. "Poison oak in Northern California doesn't look like poison oak in Southern California," says Epstein. Typically, poison ivy is a vine or a low shrub with grayish white berries and smooth, pointed leaves usually in groups of three. The reddish leaves turn green in the summer and reddel) again by autumn, according to Charlie Nardozzi, an horticulturist with the National Gardening Association in Burlington, Vermont. Poison oak is a shrub or small tree with greenish white berries and oak like leaves usually in groups of three. Poison sumac is a woody shrub found in swampy, boggy areas that has smooth-edged leaves and cream-colored berries. The leaves of poison sumac retain their reddish color and aren't grouped in threes. Spotting the plants isn't always easy. Poison ivy can mimic other plants, such as Virginia creeper, and can twine it self around English ivy. "I've tried to make myself an expert, yet I'm fooled all the time," says Hillard H. Pearlstein, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. You'll decrease your chance of being exposed to one of these plants, however, if you become familiar with their typical appearance.

Cover up : Long pants, long-sleeved shirts, boots, and gloves provide a barrier between you and the plant's oil. This is especially important if you're sensitive and you know you're going to be in an area that might contain poison ivy. "My wife, who is a gardener, is exquisitely sensitive. She's learned to cover up or suffer the consequences," says Pearlstein.

Don't Let Your Pets Romp in Wooded Areas : If you get a rash from poison ivy but can't remember being near the plant, you may have your pet to thank. "A common way to get poison ivy is to pet a cat or dog that's run through the stuff," says Pearlstein. The oil gets on the animal's fur and can get transferred to you. Epstein also suggests that you be careful with gardening tools, bicycle tires, golf balls, and anything else you use outside that might come in contact with the oil. Once there, the oil can remain active for a long time, so you can get poison ivy again and again without touching the plant itself if you don't use care when handling these outdoor items and rinse them after each use.

Rinse Your Clothes Outside : If you think you've had a close encounter with poison ivy, the oil may be all over your clothes. If you walk inside your home without rinsing your clothes, you may transfer the oil to rugs or furniture. Water deactivates the oil, so once your clothes are soaked, they're safe. Epstein also recommends rinsing camping, hunting, and fishing gear so you don't start off your next vacation with a case of poison ivy. Don't forget your shoes. "Many times, people will step on twigs or pieces of the vine and the oil will get on their shoes," says Dvorine. At night, if you take your shoes off by grabbing the sole or the heel, you may grab on to more than you bargained for and end up with a nasty case of poison ivy.

Head For Water Fast : This should be your first step if you suspect you've gotten into poison ivy. Whether it's a stream, lake, garden hose, or faucet, if you can get to water with in five to ten minutes after contact with the plant, you may be able to wash the oil off before all of it sinks in. "The sooner you get wet, the better effect you're going to get," says Epstein.

Carry Rubbing Alcohol With You : The oil from poison ivy isn't absorbed in to the skin all at once, it sinks in fairly gradually. If you move quickly enough, you may be able to use rubbing alcohol to extract some oil from the skin, suggests Epstein. If you think you've been exposed to the weed and you're heading back inside for the day, wash down the exposed areas with rubbing alcohol and then rinse well with water. Don't use a cloth wipe, Epstein cautions, because that may just pick up the oil and put it somewhere else. And don't use the alcohol near your eyes.

Cool Off The Itch : If preventive steps failed and you've got a rash, cool water may help ease the itch. "A cool bath or cool shower is wonderful," says Pearlstein. Placing ice-cold compresses on the rash may also provide relief.

Smooth On Some Calamine Lotion : "People typically cover them selves with calamine lotion," says Pearlstein. "That's the time honored solution." Indeed, calamine lotion can be mildly soothing and help to dry the rash. Apply it in a thin layer, however, so that the pores are not sealed.

Apply Burow's Solution : This lesser-known product (sold without a prescription) can soothe and relieve mild rashes when put on compress-style. It's often sold under the name Domeboro, in a tablet or powder form that you mix with water (according to package directions). Ask your pharmacist if you're having trouble locating it.

Go Soak Yourself : Bathing in lukewarm water mixed with oatmeal or baking soda may help to dry oozing blisters and soothe irritated skin, says Epstein.

Try Hydrocortisone Creams : Sold without a prescription, these creams may offer some relief for mild rashes. Epstein says that for anything but the mildest cases, however, these over the counter creams are not strong enough to help. If you have a rash that is severe enough to take you to the doctor, he or she may prescribe more potent steroids