How do you know if it’s poison ivy?

It’s summer time and you ventured out on a hike. Suddenly, your skin starts to itch and little red bumps form. Could it be poison ivy? Here are some ways to know if what you’re experiencing is due to the infamous urushiol oil in poison ivy.

Inspection Time

Poison Ivy Essentials

Before we begin our inspection process let us first check these essential facts about poison ivy:

  • Urushiol oil causes allergic reactions
  • The plant grows as vines or shrubs
  • The leaves of 3 pattern can help in identifying the plant.

Now that you’ve just learned some new snippets about this infamous plant, inspect the area where your skin was exposed for any signs of three-leaved plants with uneven edges:

  1. Check whether the leaflet attached at center stem looks larger than other two.
  2. Inspect for immediate symptoms including inflammation, itching and/or reddish rash; which usually takes less than a day after exposure to show up on an individual affected.

How Bad Is It?

Oh no! So itchy! Let’s figure how bad is it?

Once exposed:

  1. Mild reaction: localized rashes, not covering more than two-three patches around site of exposure.
  2. Moderate reactions include pain & intense itching spreading throughout limbs in few hours post-exposure followed by large swollen areas.
  3. Severe reactions: entails swift swelling with accompanying breathing issues accompanied by dizziness.

Always remember that prevention is better than cure when dealing with poison ivy especially if one has extreme allergies or asthma.

Characteristics Of An Allergic Reaction

How do I know I am allergic? This question often pops up during discussions related to poison ivy exposure. Look out for these main characteristics associated with an allergy caused by POISON IVY:

Itching: You’ll feel an unbearable itch wherever poison ivy touches your skin. The sensation increases over a period of time.

Redness and Swelling: Your skin will change colour to red, inflamed and swollen where the plant oil (urushiol) has touched it.

The worst is yet to come

What Are The Other Symptoms?

Let’s Enlighten Ourselves

Here are some other common symptoms one might encounter upon exposure to POISON IVY:

  • Blisters, that could cover areas from your fingers up till elbow or even ribs.
  • Difficulty in breathing, develop hives along with mild palpitations as a response which typically lasts for weeks on end

Combat Poison Ivy

How can I protect myself against POISON IVY?

If you know you’ve been exposed or if it’s going around town like wildfire here are some things you oughta do

  1. Wash yourself:
    After coming in contact with poison ivy, take immediate action. Cleanse the area thoroughly using soap & water within first 5 mins after contact!

  2. Application Of Cold Water
    During summer days when rashes become very intense; Warm showers can increase irritation Soak a washcloth dipped in cold water and apply gently over infected area during intervals.

  3. Over-the-counter treatments
    Calamine lotion works wonders at drying rash out! In addition Antihistamines like Benadryl/Brompheniramine have shown utility towards quelling itching symptomatic experience by individual affected.

In simple words don’t scratch those blisters Gently caress them 😉

Random Posts