WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. - Abothersome rash and intense itching following a day of gardening islikely an allergic reaction to poison ivy, oak or sumac. Disturbingthese leafy plants while putting in a vegetable garden or flowerbed canresult in direct contact with the urushiol oil inside the stems, rootsor leaves.
"Ninety percent of the country is allergic to these plants,with a reaction occurring when the urushiol oil inside the planttouches the skin," says Stephen Pennisi, Ph.D., skin toxicologist anddirector of the Lanacane Itch Information Center. "This occurs when thestems or leaves are broken, which is easy to do this time of year,since the younger, new plants are more delicate and susceptible tobreakage."
What to look for: Poison ivy consists ofthree smooth or toothed leaflets, with the middle one having a longerstalk. They are reddish when they emerge in the spring, but turn greenduring the summer. Poison oak also has three leaflets, while poisonsumac consists of two rows of seven to 13 leaflets.
Preparing for the outdoors: Be aware ofwhat the leaflets look like and dress appropriately for being outdoors.Wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants will help prevent the reaction tothe poisonous plants, but avoidance of the leaves altogether is thebest bet.
Quickly wash yourself: If you can wash skinwith soap and warm water within 15 minutes of contact with urushioloil, you may actually be able to prevent a skin reaction or, at least,minimize the reaction. Sanitize tools and clothing: Urushiol oilfrom these plants, if kept dry and cool, can remain potent for up tofive years on contaminated garden tools and clothing, so it is veryimportant to wash all items immediately after use to avoid having anallergic reaction whenever direct contact is made with the oil on theclothes and tools. Touching a contaminated tool -- even one not usedsince last summer -- can be the reason you get a "surprise" case ofpoison ivy without actually going out into the garden. Within one to two days after exposure, the itchy rash willdevelop. Treatments will help relieve the symptoms, eliminate theitchiness, soothe the inflamed skin and help avoid infection. Relief from the refrigerator/freezer:Carefully place an ice compress directly on the skin to temporarilysoothe itching and related swelling. Source:HealthNewsDigest.com. Powered by YellowBrix, Inc.
