Many persons are allergic to the resin ("urushiol") present in poison ivy, oak, and sumac. Learn to recognize these plants in their natural habitats and different seasonal appearances, and to avoid coming into contact with them.What is urushiol?

Urushiol: Found in the resin canals of leaves, stems, berries, and roots, not on the surface of the leaves (unless they are broken or crushed). The potency of the sap does not vary with the seasons. In its natural state, the oil is colorless; on exposure to air it turns black.

• Because the plant parts have to be injured to leak the resin, most cases are reported in the spring, when the leaves are most fragile. Dried leaves are less toxic, as the oil has returned to the stem and roots through the resin canals.
• Smoke from burning plants carries the residual available resin in small particles and can cause a severe reaction on the skin and in the nose, mouth, throat, and lungs.

Can I wash it off my skin?

It is generally accepted that the resin binds to the skin in 30 minutes and is thereafter extremely difficult to remove.

• In very sensitive individuals, a reaction may occur within 10 minutes of exposure.
• Other persons may have up to 4 hours to wash it off.

Within 30 minutes of exposure, remove the resin with soap and cool water.

• Rubbing alcohol is a better solvent for the resin than is water.
• Technu Poison Oak-N-Ivy Cleanser (alkane/alcohol) works quite well when applied soon after exposure, rubbed in for 2 minutes, and rinsed off, with a repeat of the entire sequence.

Signs and symptoms of poison ivy/oak/sumac reaction.

1. The first exposure produces a rash in 6 to 25 days. Subsequent exposures can cause a rash in 8 hours to 10 days, with a 2 to 3 day interval most common.
2. Redness, itching, and blisters are the most common reactions. The rash often "weeps" after it is scratched.

Treating a rash from poison ivy/oak/sumac.

1. Shake lotions such as calamine soothe and dry, and control itching.>
   • A good nonsensitizing topical anesthetic is pramoxine hydrochloride 1% (Prax cream or lotion); Caladryl contains calamine and pramoxine.
   • Avoid topical diphenhydramine, benzocaine, or tetracaine.
2. Antihistamines (such as diphenhydramine [Benadryl]) control itching and act as sedatives. Nonsedating antihistamines, such as fexofenadine (Allegra), may also diminish itching.
3. Take a soothing bath in tepid (not hot) water with 1/2 box of baking soda, 2 cups of linnet starch, or 1 cup Aveeno oatmeal.
• If Aveeno is not available, a woman's nylon stuffed with regular (not instant) oatmeal can be thrown in the tub.
• Soothing aluminum acetate (1:20) soaks may help.
4. Topical steroid creams are generally of little value. Alcohol applications are painful and do not hasten resolution of the rash.
5. If the reaction is severe (facial or genital involvement or intolerable itching), the victim may be treated by a physician with a course of oral or injected corticosteroids.

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