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

Poison Ivy is a plant that is widely found through the majority of of North America and is known in two main varieties – Western, or Pacific, and Atlantic. The concern 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 irritating blistering and irritation.
It is in our interest 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 originator of the pain we experience.
Why Poison Ivy is poisonous
It may seem odd to us that at plant should be poisonous, but like many living things Poison Ivy has its home in the ecosystem. The way it grows is a guide as it is a source of 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 gives rise to berries that are an important foodstuff for a number of bird species.
How to see the symptoms and more about Urushiol oil.
The patient will very quickly undergo irritation in the skin, in company with severe itching and inflammation in the infected area. The skin will become discoloured and a burning irritation will occur, and in a short span blisters will form along with the rash.
Suffering can persist for many weeks or may be gone 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 displayed 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 mentioned presents a major obstacle 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 presents 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 contain the oil, and the tiny amounts necessary to cause suffering give it greater potency.
Gloves and coats, as well as boots, are among the most common causes of Poison Ivy infection and should be disinfected thoroughly if contamination is suspected.
How we can become infected
There are a variety of 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 been contaminated by the oil is because of the necessary 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 contaminated with vaporised oil, and even coming into contact with this mixture can induce an attack. It has been said that a 100 year old oil once affected a person, an indication of how dangerous the plant can be.
Anything that features the sap of the plant needs to be avoided, therefore, and dogs kept away from Poison Ivy bushes.
How to help a sufferer of a Poison Ivy reaction
It is vital that treatment is attempted 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 recommended to crack the blisters, too, and to enable the area of infection exposure to the air. Keeping blisters attended to is vital in order not to invite infection.
Remember that it is simply the oil that will invite the infection to spread, so contact with it should be treated with caution.
The condition will, at some point, clear up naturally, but there are treatments available for the irritation and for extreme reactions. It is the choice of the individual whether to suffer in silence or to invest in 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 a man 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