Tips And Tidbits About Poison Oak And Poison Ivy
While you are enjoying the great outdoors this spring, you are likely to encounter one of the great itch-makers, poison oak or poison ivy. For some information and prevention tips, I spoke with Dr. William Epstein, dermatology professor at the University of California in San Francisco, and an authority on all aspects of these pesky plants.
- Poison oak and ivy are different plants, but they are closely related. Poison oak is generally found in the West, and poison ivy in the East and Midwest. Both produce oils that can cause an intensely itchy rash in sensitive people. The oil is present on all parts of the plant except the flowers.
- It is not the oil that causes the rash, but your reaction to it. Your body perceives it as an invader, and sends out chemicals to try to repel it. It is this defense system that causes the itching and blisters.
- No matter how sensitive you are, you cannot get a rash just by looking at the plant. There must be skin contact.
- The rash does not spread on its own. There is no oil inside the blisters. Typically, poison oak/ivy spreads when the nearly invisible oil gets on your hands and you touch other parts of your body.
- You can get the oil on your hands by touching the plant or anything else that has oil on it, such as clothes, shoes, pets or furniture.
- Prevention is the best medicine. Learn what the varieties of these plants that are common to your area look like, and avoid them.
- If you think you have been exposed, wash your skin immediately with water and soap if you have some. When you get home, carefully remove your clothes and shoes before you enter the house and wash them thoroughly with water.
- Highly sensitive people may react quickly, but most people can avoid a reaction if they get the oil off their skin within two or three hours of exposure.
- People who frequently get poison ivy/oak may want to ask their doctors for a prescription steroid cream. At that first sign of a rash, apply the cream and it may make the rash go away sooner.
- Otherwise, all you can do is treat the symptoms and wait for the rash to disappear, which may take about two weeks. Some people like hot showers, others like warm baking soda or oatmeal baths, others use aloe vera gel or Calamine lotion. Dr. Epstein says to use whatever soothes the itch. Remember to clean any clothes or objects that may carry oil.
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