Poison Ivy: How to Beat the Itch

It's spring in the United States, and in the upper Midwest, spring is heralded by the arrival of the poison ivy plant. Learn to identify this plant, which may cause a painful rash if you come in contact with it.

The poison ivy plant is traditionally known by its three-leaf structure. Normally found in wooded areas, it can grow as a shrub, a groundcover, or as a climbing vine. Leaves are usually lighter green in the spring, which grow darker with age. The leaf surface is smooth and often has a shiny appearance. It has few or no "teeth" on its edge. Poison ivy flowers are white and circular. A common rhyme taught to children learning how to identify the poison ivy plant is "Leaves of three, let it be; berries white, danger in sight."

The oil in the leaves, stem, and root contain the chemical urushiol, which can cause a painful, itchy rash on the skin. Although some people are immune to urushiol, it's estimated that approximately 85% of people are sensitive to the poison ivy plant.

Contracting a rash from the poison ivy plant is usually from direct contact with the plant itself. You can also come in contact with the oil by touching clothing or a pet's fur which has come into contact with the oil. If you think you've been in contact with the oil, the

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suggests cleaning the affected area with isopropyl alcohol, washing the skin with water, then showering with warm soap and water. The FDA also suggests not to go back into the woods or your yard, as the alcohol removes your skin's natural protection against the oils. http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/796_ivy.html

A poison ivy rash is exhibited by severe itching, and is accompanied by inflammation and bumps covering the skin. The surface of the skin then blisters, sometimes oozing a clear fluid. Contrary to popular myth (where's Mythbusters when you need them!), the rash isn't spread by scratching the area.

You can also come in contact with urushiol if the plant is burned and you inhale the fumes, which could cause a painful and sometimes fatal result forming in the lungs. Eating the plants could produce a similar result in the digestive tract.

The oils found on the poison ivy plant can remain potent over years, even if the plant is dead. Handle the plants with extreme caution, even if they're withered and dead. (You can also come in contact with the oils in the winter months, so use caution year-round.) Use protective gloves, then discard the gloves when you've disposed of the plants.

You can use an over-the-counter cream such as a corticosteroid for some relief if you develop a rash. It's always a good idea to check with a physician for the best treatment.