When playing outside, or wherever you are outdoors, its important to avoid coming in contact with a poison ivy plant. Learn ways to identify this plant so that you can avoid it should you see it. If you come in contact you can develop a rash or even blisters. Most people will be immune to this plant, however avoiding it is better than trying to see if you are immune or not.
You have probably heard the phrase 'Leaves of three, let it be.' Yes the poison ivy plant comes in leaves of three, but not all plants with three leaves together are poison ivy. Things to look for, in order to identify the plant are: in a poison ivy, the 3 leaves are divided, with the middle leave being longer and on its own longer stalk. You will also notice an erect shrub or climbing vine. If you see plants like this and suspect it could be a poison, ivy then stay away from it and do not come in contact with it.
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.
The oils that got on your clothes can remain there for up to a year. Its of utterly importance that you wash this clothes very carefully. Everything else that came to contact with it must be washed. This also includes 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.
If you do get a rash, you can get temporarily relief by taking cold showers and also applying cold compress. You can also rub ice cubes to get temporarily relief. A rash will last anywhere from a week to three weeks, depending on how well you treat it.
Just because you did not develop a rash when you come in contact with it, does not mean this will always be the case. As your body changes through the years, you can develop one, next time you come in contact with a poison ivy plant. You should also keep in mind that you can lose immunity with each time you come in contact with it. It is helpful to learn to identify the plant and properly eliminate it.
Searching all over for tips to avoid and treat poison ivy? Get the low down on top Poison Ivy Cures in our Cure for Poison Ivy overview.
