Poison Ivy Identification Sheet



Poison Ivy Identification Sheet

Description: Poison ivy can be either a vine, which can grow along the ground or climbs trees, or an upright shrub.

Leaves: Poison ivy can have leaves that are:

• Glossy

• Not Glossy

• Toothed

• Lobed

• With Unbroken Leaflet Borders

The leaves of poison ivy come together in a group of three. The middle leaflet has a long petiole, and the lateral leaflets on either side have a shorter petiole.

Habitat: Poison ivy is commonly found in open woodlands, other open sites, and river bottom forests.

Due to the plants preference, it’s usually found in disturbed areas, like recreation areas, parks, yards, trails, and other human altered environments.

Flowering: Flowers of poison ivy are small, off-white or yellowish, and come in bunches. This plant blooms from early summer to midsummer. Between May and July the flowers open. The flowers give way to small berry clusters in midsummer.

Poison ivy rash: Causes, treatment, and prevention

What's poisonous about poison ivy? Symptoms Treatment Risk factors and prevention

Poison ivy is a plant known for causing severe inflammation of the skin, also called contact dermatitis. It contains a sap that triggers instant irritation if it comes in contact with the skin.

Also known as Toxicodendron radicans, poison ivy is native to North America. It mainly grows on the edges of woodland where there is plenty of sunlight. It is a low plant, a shrub. It may have green berries, and green-yellow flowers grow in spring.

The plant is known for its clusters of three leaflets, ranging in color from light to dark green. Each leaf grows on its own stem, and it is connected to a main vine. There are no thorns. Poison ivy is not a true ivy but tends to climb telephone poles and trees. It is a member of the cashew family.

"Leaflets three, let it be" and "Hairy vine, no friend of mine" are two common mnemonic rhymes to describe the appearance of poison ivy. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), 85 percent of the population in the United States is allergic to poison ivy. If these people touch the plant, they will develop a rash. The remaining 15 percent of the population have no reaction, but even those who are not normally allergic should take care, as the chance of a reaction increases with age and with repeated exposure.

Symptoms

When a person is exposed to poison ivy, a rash can appear between 12 and 72 hours after exposure. The more allergic to poison ivy you are, the faster it will appear.

Signs of a reaction to poison ivy include:

• intense itching

• red skin or red streaks

• red bumps, called papules

• swelling

• hives

• blisters, often developing in lines and oozing

• crusting skin

The rash is not contagious and it does not spread. If it appears to be spreading, this is because of a delayed reaction. It can take several weeks for the rash to heal.

When to see a doctor

If an individual develops any of the following signs or symptoms, it is important to seek immediate medical attention:

• trouble breathing

• difficulty swallowing

• swollen tongue

• a rash covering the face, the genitals, or most of the body

• swelling eyelids, to the point that the eyes close

A serious allergic reaction can occur in the nasal passages, throat, and lungs. They may havedifficulty breathing. Urgent medical care is needed if someone stops breathing. If the person has an Epipen, a bystander can help them to use it.

Treatment

A poison ivy rash will generally clear up on its own within 2 to 3 weeks. No specific medical treatments are available on prescription. However, the following may offer some relief: Removing clothes and showering when coming in from outside. Rinsing the skin with cool, soapy water might help remove the urushiol if it is done within one hour of contact with the plant. Soaking in cool water to ease burning and itching, but not warm or hot water, as this can make the reaction worse. A cool oatmeal bath may help. Over-the-counter calamine and cortisone creams should reduce itching. Oral antihistamine, such as Allegra (fexofenadine), Zyrtec, or Benadryl ease inflammation and itching. They are available over the counter. Many of these drugs can cause drowsiness. The individual should not drive or operate machinery until they know how the drugs will affect them. Topical diphenhydramine can reduce itching, but it can also cause an inflamed reaction of its own, making the area sore and red. This can happen some days after contact.

Individuals who work outside are most at risk from poison ivy. If the rash is particularly severe, with a large number of blisters, a doctor may prescribe an oral corticosteroid. Injectable corticosteroids are often given to prevent further progress of the reaction. If the rash becomes infected, an oral or topical antibiotic might be prescribed. Taking oral antihistamines before bed may help the patient sleep better. The itch can be intense and interrupt sleep. Patients should not scratch the rash or burst any blisters, as this can lead to infection. Cool compresses may help to soothe the itch, made from a clean washcloth soaked in cold water.

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