Poison Ivy and what to do when affected by it

Poison Ivy is a plant that prospers through the majority of of North America and is available in two main varieties – Western, or Pacific, and Atlantic. The concern with Poison Ivy, which grows as ground cover and can grow into large bushes, is that it contains an oil – Urushiol – that, when it comes into contact with our skin, causes very nasty blistering and irritation.
It is vital 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 reacting against the poison, as it seeps into the skin, that is the instigator of the pain we feel.
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 part 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.
Also, 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 notice irritation in the skin, combined with severe itching and inflammation in the infected area. The skin will become darker and a burning irritation will occur, and in a short while blisters will form along with the rash.
Suffering can persist 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 facts 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 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 point presents a major concern 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 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 believed to cause suffering give it greater potency.
Gloves and coats, together with boots, are among the most obvious 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 already infected clothing and other items is one method as we have already noted.
The reason that we suffer when having come into contact with the oil is because of the natural 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 mixed with vaporised oil, and even coming into contact with this mixture can cause an attack. It has been said that a 100 year old item once affected a sufferer, an indication of how dangerous the plant can be.
Anything that features the sap of the plant has to be avoided, therefore, and dogs kept away from Poison Ivy bushes.
How to deal with a sufferer of a Poison Ivy reaction
It is important that treatment is initiated immediately, and the best method is to wash the problematic area in warm water. A popular recommendation is to use a very potent antimicrobial soap and to do all one can to stop the patient from scratching, as this will spread the problem more.
It is essential to crack the blisters, too, and to give 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 encourage the infection to spread, so contact with it should be limited.
The condition will, in a while, clear up naturally, but there are treatments available for the irritation and for the worst reactions. It is the decision of the individual whether to suffer in silence or to invite further help. Some lucky people 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 ivy.
If one finds Poison Ivy the best advice a man can give is the most logical – 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