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

Poison Ivy is a plant that is widely found through all of North America and is present in two main varieties – Western, or Pacific, and Atlantic. The problem with Poison Ivy, which grows as ground cover and can become 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 imperative to understand that the oil occurs not just in the leaves but in every part 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 experience.
Why Poison Ivy is poisonous
It may seem unusual to us that at plant should be poisonous, but like most living things Poison Ivy has its home 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 those 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 notice irritation in the skin, combined with severe itching and inflammation in the concerned area. The skin will become darker and a burning feeling will occur, and in a short period blisters will form along with the rash.
Suffering can go on for many weeks or may be gone within days, and an individual case is different. It is suggested that cooling the skin is a good antidote and also prevents further infection.
There are many important facts 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 spread to 500 people, and as it is not a water based substance it will not evaporate.
The latter problem presents a major concern as it means the oil can stick to 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 a person who has not been in contact with the plant being affected. Clothes, shoes, tools and pets can all be party to the oil, and the tiny amounts believed to cause suffering give it greater potency.
Gloves and coats, and also boots, are among the commonest causes of Poison Ivy infection and should be scrubbed thoroughly if contamination is suspected.
How anyone 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 essential to induce a reaction.
If Poison Ivy is burned the smoke is full with vaporised oil, and even coming into contact with this mixture can promote an attack. It has been said that a 100 year old item once affected a man, an indication of how dangerous the plant can be.
Anything that has touched the sap of the plant needs to be avoided, therefore, and cats 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 contaminated area in warm water. A second 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 infection beyond its boundaries.
It is essential to open the blisters, too, and to bring the area of infection exposure to the air. Keeping blisters bandaged is necessary in order not to allow infection.
Remember that it is simply the oil that will invite the infection to spread, so contact with it should be refrained from.
The condition will, at some point, clear up by itself, but there are treatments available for the irritation and for extreme reactions. It is the domain 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 rare and most of us would be infected by coming into contact with the ivy.
If one finds Poison Ivy the best advice a man can give i

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