Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans)

☀️ 🌿 Poison ivy seems to be everywhere; customers started coming into the store in early May looking for relief! So, we thought an info sheet on poison ivy might be helpful for the 85% of us who are unfortunately allergic to the plant and suffer through the resulting itchy rash. 

Poison Ivy (aka Toxicodendron radicans)

The troublemaker is urushiol, an oil in the poison ivy plant which causes the allergic reaction (the same oil is the culprit in poison oak and poison sumac). If you are not already familiar with the appearance of these plants, check online for pictures so you can recognize them in all seasons. And remember the old saying, “leaves of three, leave them be”. Exposure happens when you touch or brush against the leaves, stems, or roots of the plant OR when you touch something else that has come in contact with the plant and still has residue of the oil on its surface (such as a pet, backpack, or jacket). 

Sometimes we don’t know we’ve come in contact with the vine until the dreaded itch and blisters appear. Sometimes we recognize it right after we touch it or brush against it. Either way, there are some steps we can take to help mitigate the symptoms of the allergic reaction. If you know you’ve been exposed, immediate action can help! Rinse the affected area with cool, soapy water within the first few minutes to remove the oil and reduce the severity of the reaction. Avoid scrubbing as it can spread the oil. Symptoms typically appear within 12 to 48 hours and starting with itching, redness, and swelling followed by blistering and more itching. The fluid in the blisters will not spread the rash, but avoid scratching as that may lead to infection and longer healing time.

The duration of the rash can vary from a few days to several weeks, depending on its severity and individual sensitivity. Managing symptoms involves keeping the affected area clean and dry, and resisting the urge to scratch, which can lead to infection. Natural remedies can help! Check out the summer seasonals in our shop for ideas. 🌿 ☀️