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Oct12
how poisonous is poison ivy??
Look Out for the Poisonous Plants they can be anywhere — from the woods to your own backyard. The green leaves of poison plants blend right in with other plants and so it's possible to sit down in a patch of poison ivy without realizing. You might notice later, of course, when you start to itch! To help you identify the plants can grow as a shrub up to about 1.2 metres (3.9 ft) tall, as a groundcover 10–25 cm (3.9–9.8 in) high, or as a climbing vine on various supports. Older vines on substantial supports send out lateral branches that may at first be mistaken for tree limbs. And it's not enough just to know what one kind of poison ivy looks like. Poison ivy comes in several types — and may look different depending on the time of year.

The leaves of poison plants release urushiol, a colorless, odorless oil (called resin) when they're "injured," meaning if they get bumped, torn, or brushed against. Once the urushiol has been released, it can easily get on a person's skin, where it often causes trouble. When the oil is released, the leaves may appear shiny or you may see black spots of resin on them.
It's also possible to get this kind of rash without ever stepping into the woods or directly touching one of the plants. Example Urushiol can be transferred from one person to another. Plus, a person can pick it up from anything that's come in contact with the oil, including your dog that likes to roam the woods! Urushiol even can travel through the air if someone burns some of the plants to clear brush.
Although some people truly are immune to poison ivy, most people develop a rash after coming into contact with poison ivy or the similar plants, poison sumac and poison oak. If you think you are immune because you have never developed a rash before, keep in mind that it can sometimes take multiple exposures or several years before you finally begin to develop an allergic response to urushiol, it is a type of contact dermatitis and can eventually lead to anaphylaxis which is a life threatening condition. Initially Urushiol binds to the skin on contact, where it causes severe itching that develops into reddish colored inflammation or non-colored bumps, and then blistering. These lesions may be treated with Calamine lotion, Burow's solution compresses or baths to relieve discomfort. Over-the-counter products to ease itching - or simply oil/ oatmeal baths and baking soda - are recommended for the treatment of poison ivy. In severe cases, clear fluids ooze from open blistered sores and corticosteroids are then the necessary treatment. The oozing fluids released by itching blisters do not spread the poison as some people think it to be contagious then. Just the areas which have received more poison will react sooner and louder. If poison ivy is burned and the smoke then inhaled, this rash will appear on the lining of the lungs, causing extreme pain and possibly fatal respiratory difficulty. If poison ivy is eaten, the digestive tract, airway, kidneys or other organs can be damaged. A poison ivy rash can last anywhere from one to four weeks, depending on severity and treatment. People who are sensitive to poison ivy can also experience a similar rash from mangoes generally. If you are exposed certain tips would be, you should quickly (within 10 minutes): first, cleanse exposed areas with rubbing alcohol. Next, wash the exposed areas with water only (no soap yet, since soap can move the urushiol, which is the oil from the poison ivy that triggers the rash, around your body and actually make the reaction worse). Now, take a shower with soap and warm water. Lastl , put gloves on and wipe everything you had with you, including shoes, tools, and your clothes, with rubbing alcohol and water. Unfortunately, if you wait more than 10 minutes, the urushiol will likely stay on your skin and trigger the poison ivy rash. You may not be able to stop it on your skin, but you might still scrub your nails and wipe off your shoes, etc., so that you don't spread the urushiol to new areas. And in cases rash is sever you must consult a dermatologist. Remember that poison ivy isn't contagious though, so touching the rash won't actually spread it. Preventing Poison Ivy by wearing long pants and a shirt with long sleeves, boots, gloves and cotton socks especially for kids who are more at risk should do the trick.
"One, two, three? Don't touch me." Is a famous synonym for this dangerous plant and is the best advise till date.


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