Simple Poison Ivy Treatments
You Can Use

If you or a member of the family fall victim

Coming into contact with a patch of poison ivy is not pleasant.

This is especially true, if an allergic reaction occurs and poison ivy treatment becomes necessary.

Poisonous plants like poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac are to be found throughout the United States, except for Alaska, Hawaii, and states in the Southwest.

Poison ivy is commonly a three leafed vine. It has three shiny leaflets on a stem.

However it can be found as a plant, vine or bush. Toward the north especially around the Great Lakes, it grows more like a shrub.

Poison oak is similar to poison ivy with three leaves to a stem.

The main difference is that the leaves resemble an oak leaf with the underside of the leaf being a lighter green in color.

Poison oak also looks more like a shrub.

Poison sumac may be found in tree form, or as a woody shrub, with distinctive green berries hanging underneath the leaves.

It has two rows of leaves opposite each other and a single leaf at the tip.

These plants are often found in woods and uncultivated fields so, if you come across anything resembling these plants, you would be well advised to stay away.

An allergic reaction to poison ivy does not normally occur with the first exposure and even later exposures may not result in any allergic reaction for a few hours, or even sometimes a few days later.

The skin will turn red and be itchy, followed by the development of fluid filled blisters in streaks or patches where contact with the poison ivy was made.

If the soft mucous membranes of the throat and nose are affected, due to inhaling smoke from burning plants, the reactions can be quite serious.

Poison ivy treatments can vary depending on the area and extent of the body that was exposed.

For a limited exposure, the poison ivy treatment may be no more than a cold shower.

This can be followed by an application of an over the counter calamine lotion, applied to any externally affected area.

If a rash develops avoid scratching it since this can cause the infection to spread and in severe cases spread all over the body.

For a more severe exposure, poison ivy treatments may require the use of oral steroids to bring the rash under control.

In many cases exposure may well occur out in the country away from medical facilities. It is fortunate therefore that poison ivy treatments except in severe cases don’t require a visit to the local doctor and may be safely treated at home.

If you don’t have calamine lotion in a first aid kit, your only course of action when exposed to poison ivy or another poisonous plant will be to quickly wash off any plant residue and take a cooling shower as soon as possible.

It's important to remove the oily plant residue from clothes as well as the skin, so be sure to wash clothes thoroughly.

An alternative poison ivy treatment available from most convenience stores involves applying some cortisone cream to the rash. If the exposure or allergic reaction is severe seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Of course, the best poison ivy treatments are always awareness and avoidance. If you’re in an area known for poisonous plants then stay away from them if you can. Be prepared with your poison ivy treatments, for being fore warned is fore armed.

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