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

Poison Ivy is a plant that is to be seen through all of North America and is available 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 all 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 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 interesting 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 variety of bird species.
How to know 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 concerned area. The skin will become darker and a burning irritation will occur, and in a short period blisters will form along with the rash.
Suffering can be endure for many weeks or may be finished 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 points that people need to get to know about Urushiol oil, and the first is that it is very potent indeed. Research has displayed 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 difficulty 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 an individual who has not been in contact with the plant being contaminated. Clothes, shoes, tools and pets can all contain the oil, and the miniscule amounts required to cause suffering give it greater potency.
Gloves and coats, together with boots, are among the commonest causes of Poison Ivy infection and should be disinfected thoroughly if contamination is suspected.
How anyone 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 reason as we have already noted.
The reason that we suffer when having been contaminated by the oil is because of the natural 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 mixture can induce an attack. It has been said that a 100 year old plant once affected a person, an indication of how dangerous the plant can be.
Anything that has been in contact with 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 important that treatment is attempted immediately, and the best method is to wash the affected 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 essential to crack the blisters, too, and to enable the area of infection exposure to the air. Keeping blisters wrapped is imperative in order not to add infection.
Remember that it is solely the oil that will encourage 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 serious reactions. It is the choice of the individual whether to suffer in silence 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 bush.
If one sees Poison Ivy the best advice we can give is the most natural – 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