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Yikes, Poison Ivy!!

By Keith Oelschlager, M.D.

There is some truth in The Coaster's 1950's song; poison ivy does make you itch, and since calamine lotion doesn't help, it really could take an ocean of it.

Poison Ivy affects 70-80% of people if they are exposed, and if exposed long enough or severely enough, almost all people will get the itchy rash. The poison ivy plant Rhus toxicodendron) is found in all states except Alaska, Hawaii and
California.
 
The rash of poison ivy appears 3-5 days after contact with the oil from the plant. The rash starts with intense itching, then redness, and finally small blisters called vesicles appear. The vesicles are frequently in lines from where the plant brushed up against the person's skin. The rash can last ten to twenty-one days or even longer if it is the first episode.
 
The oil that causes the rash is present in the leaves, stems and berries. The oil remains present in dead plants, and burning can produce soot containing the oil causing the worst skin reactions, and even internal damage from breathing
it. The oil can be transferred directly from the plant to skin, from a pet's
fur, or from clothes that have the oil on them.
 
The one common misbelief is that poison ivy is spread from fluid drainage from the vesicles. This does not occur. The reason this misbelief continues is that one can continue to break out in new areas for 2-3 wks after a single exposure.
This is due to the skin of the body with the greatest exposure to the oil
reacting first, followed by areas of skin with less exposure reacting later.
The best treatment for poison ivy is prevention!
 
“Leaves of three, let it be! Berries white, danger in sight.”
 
...is an old saying that if followed helps keep one out of trouble. To
more fully learn what the plant looks like go on line, to the library or have
someone experienced show you or play the You Tube (reference listed at
the end of this article). The plant has leaves that grow in groups of threes,
tends to be green in summer, reddish in spring and orange, yellow or red
in fall. The berries are white. The plant grows at the edges of wooded areas and can be several inches to several feet tall. It can also appear as a vine.
 
 
After exposure, washing with soap and water, rubbing alcohol or a product like Tecnu within 15-30 minutes can reduce the likelihood of the rash occurring.
 
Treatment, once the rash has occurred, is using an antihistamine like benadryl for itching, 1% hydrocortisone cream (available without prescription) and wet compresses. The intense itching can be quieted for several hours by
directing a hot shower (not as hot as to burn) at the area of itching. The
itching will be intense initially, and then be relieved for several hours.
Many over-the-counter products such as calamine lotion are of unproven benefit.
 
 
Medical treatment is needed if extensive areas of the body are covered or the areas around the eyes are involved. Occasionally the vesicles will become redder and drain cloudy fluid and infections may need to be treated. The treatment of rash usually involves a more potent cortisone cream, or cortisone as a pill or a shot. Allergy shots or allergy shots under the tongue have never been shown to be effective.
 
Remember:
 
1.  Eliminate poison ivy on your property if possible (goats are reported to work)
2.  Avoid by learning what the plant looks like
3.  Wash within 15-30 minutes of exposure with soap and water
4.  Wash exposed clothes immediately
5.  Treat at home with anthistamines, 1% Hydrocortisone cream and wet compresses
6.  Seek medical care if severe rash or infection
 
 
**To hear the Coasters song on You Tube while viewing actual poison ivy rashes and plants:
http://www.nme.com/video/id/E-zOo9KtsXM/search/ivy/offset/40

 

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