Poison Ivy and what to do when affected by it

Poison Ivy is a plant that prospers through all of North America and is present in two main varieties – Western, or Pacific, and Atlantic. The importance with Poison Ivy, which grows as ground cover and can eventually be seen as large bushes, is that it contains an oil – Urushiol – that, when it comes into contact with our skin, causes very unpleasant 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 root of the pain we experience.
Why Poison Ivy is poisonous
It may seem unusual to us that at plant should be poisonous, but like many living things Poison Ivy has its position in the ecosystem. The way it grows is a clue 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.
Plus, Poison Ivy bears berries that are an important foodstuff for a number of bird species.
How to know 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 discoloured and a burning feeling will occur, and in a short period blisters will form along with the rash.
Suffering can persist for many weeks or may be done with within days, and every case is different. It is suggested that cooling the skin is a good antidote and also prevents further infection.
There are a number of important points that people need to understand about Urushiol oil, and the first is that it is very potent indeed. Research has proven that a particle 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 problem 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 presents the possibility of re-infection, or of anyone who has not been in contact with the plant being affected. Clothes, shoes, tools and pets can all contain the oil, and the tiny amounts believed to cause suffering give it greater potency.
Gloves and coats, as well as boots, are among the most obvious causes of Poison Ivy infection and should be cleaned thoroughly if contamination is suspected.
How we can become infected
There are numerous ways that an individual can come into contact with the oil from Poison Ivy, and transfer from already infected clothing and other items is one reason as we have already noted.
The reason that we suffer when having come into contact with the oil is because of the necessary reaction it promotes, and it is notable that direct contact with the plant is not imperative to induce a reaction.
If Poison Ivy is burned the smoke is contaminated with vaporised oil, and even coming into contact with this concoction can promote an attack. It has been said that a 100 year old oil once affected a man, an indication of how troublesome the plant can be.
Anything that features the sap of the plant must be avoided, therefore, and animals kept away from Poison Ivy bushes.
How to look after a sufferer of a Poison Ivy reaction
It is vital that treatment is started immediately, and the best method is to wash the contaminated area in warm water. A sensible recommendation is to use a very well tried antimicrobial soap and to do all one can to stop the patient from scratching, as this will spread the trouble ever more.
It is imperative to crack the blisters, too, and to enable the area of infection exposure to the air. Keeping blisters bandaged is vital in order not to allow infection.
Remember that it is just the oil that will allow the infection to spread, so contact with it should be refrained from.
The condition will, in a while, clear up completely, but there are treatments available for the irritation and for extreme reactions. It is the decision of the individual whether to wait for it to subside or to invite further help. Some individuals 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 knows of Poison Ivy the best advice one can give is the most obvious – 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