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 known in two main varieties – Western, or Pacific, and Atlantic. The problem 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 imperative 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 operating against the poison, as it seeps into the skin, that is the originator of the pain we undergo.
Why Poison Ivy is poisonous
It may seem pointless to us that at plant should be poisonous, but like many living things Poison Ivy has its part in the ecosystem. The way it grows is a clue as it is used as shelter for lower growing plants and ground dwelling animals, and the majority of these are, unlike humans, not affected by the oil.
Plus, Poison Ivy gives rise to berries that are an important foodstuff for a great number of bird species.
How to see the symptoms and more about Urushiol oil.
The patient will very quickly suffer from irritation in the skin, in company with severe itching and inflammation in the troubled area. The skin will become discoloured and a burning feeling will occur, and in a short while blisters will form along with the rash.
Suffering can persist for many weeks or may be done with 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 many 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 particle of the oil the size of a pin-head could be enough for 500 people, and as it is not a water based substance it will not evaporate.
The latter mentioned presents a major difficulty as it means the oil can stay on items it has been in contact with for as long as, and maybe longer than, a year. This opens up the possibility of re-infection, or of an individual who has not been in contact with the plant being affliected. Clothes, shoes, tools and pets can all contain the oil, and the very small amounts believed 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 cleaned thoroughly if contamination is suspected.
How we 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 way as we have already noted.
The reason that we suffer when having encountered 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 contaminated with vaporised oil, and even coming into contact with this mixture can promote an attack. It has been said that a 100 year old oil once affected a person, an indication of how troublesome the plant can be.
Anything that features the sap of the plant needs to 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 initiated immediately, and the best method is to wash the affected area in warm water. A second recommendation is to use a very powerful 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 imperative to open the blisters, too, and to bring the area of infection exposure to the air. Keeping blisters bandaged is vital in order not to invite infection.
Remember that it is simply the oil that will encourage the infection to spread, so contact with it should be treated with caution.
The condition will, eventually, clear up completely, but there are treatments available for the irritation and for the worst reactions. It is the choice of the individual whether to let it die naturally or to invest in further help. Some of us are fortunate in that they have no sensitivity to Poison Ivy, but these are scarece and most of us would be infected by coming into contact with the bush.
If one finds 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