Posts Tagged ‘poison ivy’

What You Ought To Understand About Poison Ivy

Sunday, July 18th, 2010

When it comes to spending a little bit of time outside, or better said in the great outdoors, you should be mindful of the various threats that might be around waiting for you to stumble upon them. While for some, this might mean various woodland creatures wandering the woods, for everyone this means the serious threat of poison ivy.

There are actually plenty of different things that you need to know before you send your kids out into the woods for one reason or another. The more that you understand concerning the potential threats like this that are out there, the more likely it will be that your children do not have to worry about having to deal with it.

By informing yourself, you are potentially saving yourself several days or even weeks in some extreme cases of extensive discomfort. While this might be somehow tolerable for some people to have to endure, there is no parent out there that wants to see their child in that kind of discomfort for any length of time, especially the length of time that poisoned ivy tends to linger on children.

You have to be able to tell them some of the guidelines and what to look out for so that they don’t run into this plant by mistake. Children assume that everything is non threatening, and for all intents and purposes, the ivy that is being spoken of might just look like any other plant at a passing glance. You have to teach them to be very mindful of the plants that they are around.

The first thing to do, would be to explain to them the dangers of diverting from the path or the places that are okay to be. If you are hiking or whatever, there are likely going to be designated areas. These areas have already been scanned by professionals and the threats of the ivy have been removed. If you leave the area or the path, you are unnecessarily putting yourself at risk, or your children are as the case might be.

You should also consider that there is an adage involved in terms of the ivy that you should avoid. There are plenty of plants out in the wilderness that are perfectly okay to touch, but if it has three leaves you should leave it alone and not touch it. The adage is “leaves of three, let it be” and so you should be able to stick to this plan and avoid the poisonous plants of the woods.

Should you find yourself having a reaction from poison ivy or something like it, there are things that you can do. There are special creams and ointments that should take down the itching and the discomfort, but the important thing is to not touch the infected areas if possible, as this could risk giving it to others or spreading it further on yourself.

You do not want to mess around with poison ivy. You should try to avoid it at all costs, but if you find yourself having a reaction make sure that you take swift and thorough action. You do not want it to spread, especially to others. Also, always have a good idea of where you are and what is around you and you should be able to avoid the ivy altogether.

Find soothing and fast acting relief from painful itching when you use Poison Ivy Spray today! Having Poison Ivy treatment with you on holiday will help to keep you from catching painful poison ivy!

categories: poison ivy,poison sumac,poison oak,plants,allergies,medication,garden,gardening,home,family

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Description Of Poison Ivy And Common Useful Treatment Methods

Saturday, July 17th, 2010

Toxicodendron radicans, commonly referred to as poison ivy, is frequently seen across much of the United States. Poison ivy is usually recognized for the intensely itchy rash that evolves on those who come into contact with the plant.

Poison ivy can be hard to identify for some individuals, and can be found as a plant form (grows close to the ground like a weed) or a vine (grows up a tree). Three physical characteristics that can generally be used to identify this plant are: leaflets are almond-shaped and are found in clusters of three, there are no thorns present, and the leaf arrangements alternate. The foliage color can vary from a light shade of green, to a dark green, bright red, orange, or yellow, depending on the season. Leaflets have smooth edges and glossy surfaces, and are typically between three to twelve centimeters in length.

These poisonous plants produce a skin irritant called urushiol. Urushiol is the reason why most people acquire a rash after touching a poison ivy plant. The allergic reaction is medically known/termed as urushiol-induced contact dermatitis. Although there are a small percentage of people that do not have an allergic response to contact with urushiol, sensitization can occur through repeated exposure.

Urushiol oil will stay harmful for quite a few years, therefore deceased poison ivy plants will be capable of triggering a reaction. Urushiol oil may be transferred in numerous different ways, such as clothes, pet hair, footwear, tools, fishing, hiking, camping, or hunting equipment, or additional items that may touch the plant and skin surfaces. In the event that an object may have come in contact with poison ivy, it is crucial to clean the item right away to prevent transmission.

Given that urushiol bonds to skin in a couple minutes (nearly upon contact with the skin), it is essential to wash the afflicted area of skin with cool water promptly after contact. If applied without delay, mineral oil may aid in removing urushiol oil off the affected skin surface.

If the urushiol is not eliminated, and it successfully bonds to the skin, a reddish-colored rash and severe itch will develop, and turn into a blister. The fluids that come from the blister do not spread the poison to other parts of the body or to other people. If the rash seems to be spreading, it is simply because some areas had more contact with the poison than others, causing them to react more rapidly. Smoke from burned poison ivy can cause a rash on the lining of the lungs, resulting in significant pain and respiratory complications, and possible death. If the plant is consumed, damage can occur to the organs, digestive tract, and/or airway. Any of these types of contact with poison ivy can possibly result in anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that can be fatal within minutes of occurrence, either through an extreme drop in blood pressure or swelling that constricts the airways.

Standard treatment techniques used for poison ivy rashes might include Calamine lotion or other anti-itch solutions, bathing in baking soda or oatmeal, hydrocortisone lotions, antihistamine capsules, and in more serious situations, corticosteroids. All of these treatment options do not eliminate the blisters or skin lesions, but they can help to temporarily reduce irritation.

Though most cases resolve on their own, some cases may require professional medical attention. Some of these cases may include: development of a fever, the rash spans over a vast majority of the body, pus is oozing from the blisters, the rash is present in the mouth, eyes, or on the genitalia, or if the rash persists without any improvement after a few days.

A poison ivy rash usually lasts between one and four weeks. The healing time typically depends on the severity of exposure. Proper precautionary measures can be taken to help individuals avoid and prevent transmission of the poisonous oil. Parents are especially encouraged to educate children on the appearances and dangers involved with having contact with any harmful or poisonous plants.

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Causes, Indications And Cures Of Poison Ivy

Thursday, July 15th, 2010

Poison ivy is a plant that will cause an itchy skin rash when it touches your skin. The plant is a very common one and can be found growing on the ground or as an intertwining plant on tree trunks and branches. It will be situated between other plants and this can sometimes hide it from view or from recognition.

It contains oil which remains on the skin upon contact and since the plant contains the oil in its stems, leaves, flowers, berries and roots, the chances are high that you will be infected and break out in a red, very itchy type of rash.

The oil will make contact with your skin by you touching the plant. If you touch any clothing or shoes that have touched the plant, it will affect you. Any gardening tools that have come into contact with the plant which has oil on it will also have an effect. Sometimes pets will retain the oil on their body hair and this can affect you. You can also be affected if you burn the plant as the oil which comes out of the plant will be carried within the smoke.

The rash will show up within one to two days after a person has come into contact with the oil. The area will become swollen and red. Within a day or so little blisters will start to form and then the rash will increase in itchiness. It is imperative that you try not to scratch the blisters as dirt from your fingernails can enter the blisters and infection will set in. The blisters should start drying up after about 7 days and the rash will start disappearing. If the rash has covered big sections of your body, it may well last a lot longer.

If you are aware or think that you have touched poison ivy, you should immediately clean the region with cool water. Cold compresses and bathing in cool water will assist with relieving the symptoms. Any of your clothing or sports gear or equipment and tools should be cleaned as the oil is long lingering and may cause another bout of the itchy rash if you touch any of these items.

There are several over the counter ointments and other medications that can relieve the condition of the rash. Hydrocortisone lotions and creams are excellent. Calamine lotion will relieve the itching. Anti-histamine pills may also be prescribed. Try to relax in an oatmeal bath as this will also help with the treatment of the rash.

You should seek medical advice if you have a high fever. Do the same if the rash is covering very large sections of the body. If the rash appears on your genitals or in your eyes or mouth, you should seek medical assistance.

If the poison ivy irritation starts creating pus inside the blisters, you will need to get to a hospital or to a medical advisor. If the rash remains for a period longer than a handful of days, you should seek medical advice.

Do you need a poison ivy cure? Then you should look and learn about poison ivy spray before you do anything. We have a blog designed especially for those individuals who want to know about poison ivy.

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How To Treat Poison Ivy

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010

One in three people are not allergic to this plant. But the remaining two thirds can experience extreme pain, even death, from coming in contact with this the urushiol oil produced by poison ivy. If you are clearing fence rows and plan to burn the cuttings that contain this growth, be sure to stay up wind of the smoke because breathing it can put enough of the chemical in your lungs to kill you.

If you are one who like the great outdoors you need to familiarize yourself with all poisonous plants that grow in their area. You need to be able to identify them and stay away from those to which you might have an allergic reaction. There is no reason to suffer the results if you can avoid doing so.

Not known to known to grow well in dry climates or deserts. It is most often found climbing, wrapping itself around, some object or other plant. You can identify it by having three leaves with an oily sheen that start out light green in springtime, turning dark green at maturity and then bright red during the Fall season. People are allergic to the oil it produces.

The result of coming in contact with it is red blisters that fill up with a clear liquid. There is extreme itching and stinging sensation associated with the condition. There is no truth to it spreading from scratching or rubbing the blisters which distributes the clear liquid. The only way anyone else can contract it from you is if they touch a place where oil concentration is still high. If you are immediately aware that you have touched this plant, use a grease suspending dishwater liquid to trap the oil and wash it away. This will help to minimize your reaction.

If it is some time after the fact of touching this plant and you are showing symptoms, you can obtain both natural and over the counter medications to help relieve the condition. If you are experiencing a severe reaction to it, find immediate licensed medical assistance. Do your best to keep your hands away from any body orifice.

Using plain water is not a good idea as it can cause droplets of the urushiol oil to be relocated on your skin and make the condition appear to spread. Get some grease removing dish washing liquid to mix with the water and that will help wash off some of the oil. Now you want to use something that will dry up the oil. Powdered oatmeal, even corn starch, is a natural ingredient to use. Even tomato juice will help deteriorate that oil and the acidity will help ease the pain.

Mainstream treatments include many name brand products, most of which contain drying agents and topical analgesic to help ease the pain. Body powders are also a good choice for soaking up the decidedly determined oil. Exposure to air also helps in the same manner. Eventually, the oil from this plant will be absorbed by your body and converted into some other chemical and finally eliminated through your system and the allergic condition will simply go away.

This could be an excellent opportunity to educate everyone in the family as to the identification of poisonous plants around your home and areas of recreation. You are never too old to learn smart about the world you live in. Clean air and plenty of sunshine are good health ingredients, but there is no reason for any human to suffer from poison ivy.

Not entirely sure how to treat poison ivy ? We’ve got the ultimate low down on the best Poison Ivy Cure now in our complete Poison Ivy Spray overview.

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Poison Ivy: How To Identify And Heal

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010

Like most parents you probably worry, about what your kids are doing when they are playing outside. Something that you might worry is them coming in contact with poison ivy plant. It is important that your kids recognize an ivy plant and stay away from it, so they won’t develop a rash or blisters. Most people are immune to this plant, but it is better to avoid the plant, then to try and find out if you are immune to it.

Does the phrase ‘Leaves of three, let it be’ sound familiar? You probably used this as the method, to recognize this plant. While its true that it does have three leaves, many other plants have three leaves together. Some other characteristics to look for are, the middle leave is bigger and is on its own longer stalk. Erect shrubs and a climbing vine will also be found on this plant.

Do not try to take out the plant especially not with a weed eater. Doing so will cause the oils from the plant to get on your clothes or legs and even shoes. This oil is what contains the toxins that leave you with rashes and blisters. Trying to burn the plant will also have the oils being carried away with the smoke, causing you to come in contact with it. Best method out there is to spray it with herbicide. Be careful not to spray a lot, as the liquid can drip out of the leafs.

If you touch the plant or come in contact with it, make sure you remove all clothing you were wearing, including shoes. You should rub alcohol in the skin that was affected. Proceed to rinse with cold water instead of hot. Hot water will only cause the skin on your pores to open up and permitting the oils to go through under your skin. Do not use soap, until after you have rinsed well, the oils on your skin can get on the soap and then you can end up spreading it on your body. Properly wash under your fingernails to ensure there is nothing left under there. If you do wash properly within the first 5-10 minutes you can avoid getting a rash.

Oils from this plant that land on your clothes can stay on there for up to a year. Make sure to thoroughly wash all the clothes you had on the time you came in contact with it. You should also wash anything that came in contact with the plant including your pets.

It is important to wash the affected area properly and keep watching for symptoms. This include red and itchy skin. You can also see these red areas start forming into bumps or blisters.

To treat a rash, you can take cold showers and also apply cold compresses. Rubbing ice cubes on the affected area can also give temporarily relief. Applying topical liquids or lotions on the rashes can bring relief as well. A rash will typically last about a week and last up to three weeks.

Do not assume that if you came in contact with a poison ivy plant, and you were immune, that you will always be immune. Your body changes throughout years and you can lose immunity each time you come in contact. Learn to recognize the plant and eliminate it. Always avoid it!

Searching all over for ways to avoid and treat poison ivy? Get the inside skinny on top Poison Ivy Cures in our Cure for Poison Ivy guide.

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