Poison Ivy and what it means to you when affected by it

Poison Ivy is a plant that prospers through the majority of of North America and is known in two main varieties – Western, or Pacific, and Atlantic. The problem with Poison Ivy, which grows as ground cover and can grow into large bushes, is that it contains an oil – Urushiol – that, when it comes into contact with our skin, causes very irritating blistering and irritation.
It is in our interest to understand that the oil occurs not just in the leaves but in many parts of the plant, including the root and the stem, and it is the immune system pushing against the poison, as it seeps into the skin, that is the instigator of the pain we feel.
Why Poison Ivy is poisonous
It may seem odd to us that at plant should be poisonous, but like most living things Poison Ivy has its position in the ecosystem. The way it grows is a guide as it gives shelter for lower growing plants and ground dwelling animals, and the majority of them are, unlike humans, not affected by the oil.
Furthermore, Poison Ivy bears berries that are an important foodstuff for a great number of bird species.
How to identify the symptoms and more about Urushiol oil.
The patient will very quickly undergo irritation in the skin, combined with severe itching and inflammation in the troubled area. The skin will become a different colour and a burning feeling will occur, and in a short while blisters will form along with the rash.
Suffering can go on for many weeks or may be gone within days, and a particular case is different. It is suggested that cooling the skin is a good antidote and also prevents further infection.
There are various important factors that people need to get to know about Urushiol oil, and the first is that it is very potent indeed. Research has indicated that a small amount of the oil the size of a pin-head could infect 500 people, and as it is not a water based substance it will not evaporate.
The latter mentioned presents a major obstacle as it means the oil can still be on on items it has been in contact with for as long as, and maybe longer than, a year. This gives us the possibility of re-infection, or of anyone who has not been in contact with the plant being contaminated. Clothes, shoes, tools and pets can all hold the oil, and the miniscule amounts necessary to cause suffering give it greater potency.
Gloves and coats, together with boots, are among the most common causes of Poison Ivy infection and should be scrubbed thoroughly if contamination is suspected.
How you can become infected
There are many ways that an individual can come into contact with the oil from Poison Ivy, and transfer from affected clothing and other items is one reason as we have already noted.
The reason that we suffer when having been contaminated by the oil is because of the instant reaction it promotes, and it is notable that direct contact with the plant is not vital to induce a reaction.
If Poison Ivy is burned the smoke is full with vaporised oil, and even coming into contact with this concoction can cause an attack. It has been said that a 100 year old plant once affected a person, an indication of how much troube the plant can be.
Anything that has touched the sap of the plant has to be avoided, therefore, and animals kept away from Poison Ivy bushes.
How to deal with a sufferer of a Poison Ivy reaction
It is essential that treatment is started immediately, and the best method is to wash the affected area in warm water. A second recommendation is to use a very potent antimicrobial soap and to do all one can to stop the patient from scratching, as this will spread the problem more.
It is essential to crack the blisters, too, and to give the area of infection exposure to the air. Keeping blisters attended to is necessary in order not to allow infection.
Remember that it is solely the oil that will invite the infection to spread, so contact with it should be limited.
The condition will, eventually, clear up completely, but there are treatments available for the irritation and for extreme reactions. It is the decision of the individual whether to let it die naturally or to look for further help. Some of us are fortunate in that they have no sensitivity to Poison Ivy, but these are few and far between and most of us would be infected by coming into contact with the bush.
If one finds Poison Ivy the best advice we can give is the most logical – avoid it very carefully and don’t let your pet near it.

Nadeeka Johnson is an experienced article writer with over a 1,000 articles covering a wid variety of topical written at www.allstop.com/poison-ivy/poison-ivy-treatment