It is that time of year... heading out, hiking up, camping out, working in the yard, or just horsing around in the backwoods. Poisonous plants are all about.- Learn to recognize, avoid, protect against and treat exposure to poisonous plants such as sumac, poison oak, nettles and poison ivy (no, not Uma!)
Poison oak, poison sumac, and poison ivy grow in marshy and wooded places throughout North America. These plants are not really "poisonous", they contain a sticky, long-lasting oil called urushiol that causes an itchy, blistering rash after it makes contact with skin. The slightest contact, even brushing up against the leaves, can leave urushiol on your clothing or skin. Poison ivy and poison oak grow as vines or shrubs. Poison sumac is a shrub or tree.

Recognize Poison Oak, Poison Ivy, and Poison Sumac. Protect yourself from exposure.
Recognizing these plants in order to avoid contact - If you were a scout, you probably remember being taught " Leaves of three, let it be. berries white, run in fright" well, this DOES apply to poison ivy, but poison ivy is the only one of the three plants that always has three leaves, one on each side and one in the center. Its leaves are shiny with smooth or slightly notched edges.
Members of the Toxicodendron plant family have three distinct leaves on a single
stem coming off a larger main stem – with the exception of poison sumac which can have 7-13 leaves, with one leaf at the end, arranged in pairs. Poison oak looks similar to poison ivy, but larger and lobed like an oak leaf, with a textured, hairy surface. It can have groups of three, five, or seven leaves. With all these, the leaves can be green in summer and red in fall, and they may have yellow or green flowers and white berries depending on the season.
Poison ivy is one of the most frequent causes of skin rash among children and adults who spend time outdoors. The plant can be found throughout the United States, except in the Southwest, Alaska, and Hawaii. Poison ivy typically grows in the form of a vine, often along riverbanks.
Poison oak is primarily found on the West Coast. It grows in the form of a shrub.
Poison sumac grows abundantly along the Mississippi River. It grows as a woody shrub.
Now that you know what these look like, know that the BEST solution for safety with these "poisonous" plants is simple avoidance. Just stay away. If you aren't confident in your ability to avoid them entirely, wear an ivy barrier. Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, and Poison Sumac Pre-Contact Solutions protect against common irritants including detergents, pollen, air pollution (smog), foliage, grasses & "poisonous" plants such as poison oak, ivy and sumac before contact. These ivy blockers provide an invisible barrier to environmental contact allergens. Apply pre-contact formula liberally before contact to avoid the reactions caused by poisonous oils.
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Do you have these plants in or near your yard? Here are some tips for safe removal from about.com:
- Dress Appropriately. All parts of these plants contain the toxic resin that causes blistering and rash. This irritation will occur on any part of your body it touches. When removing poison sumac, poison oak, or poison ivy, always apply an ivy block first, then use rubber gloves, wear a long-sleeved shirt and long pants, and tuck your pants into socks and boots or shoes that can be hosed off later. Goggles and a breathing mask are also recommended when removing poison ivy.
- Don't try this in windy or wet weather. A dry day with no wind is the safest time for removing poison ivy, especially if you will be using an herbicide spray (you don't want the herbicide blowing back at you, nor do you want it blowing on landscape plants).
- Cut plants to ground level. With shears or pruners, remove all the stems you can see and dispose of them in plastic garbage bags. Don't tear or rip the vines as this may disperse the resin into the air.
- Dig out roots if you can. If there are only a few plants to remove, use the shovel to remove the roots. Bag these also for removal.
- Destroy what's left. If you have many plants spread over a large area, cut as much of the top growth as you can, and then spray the remaining roots, stems and stubs with a chemical weed killer containing glyphosate (such as Roundup) or triclopyr (such as Ortho's Brush-B-Gon). For thick, shrubby stems, spray directly onto the cuts you've made. Remember to use extreme care when handling these herbicides, as the spray will kill all other garden plants it touches. Always follow the directions on the label for safest use.
- Dispose of properly. Do not compost, shred or burn poison ivy, oak, or sumac to get rid of it. The resins can be spread via smoke and can cause severe reactions in people who are far downwind. Inhaling the smoke can cause serious injury to your lungs. Put the plant parts in heavy plastic bags, tie the bags securely and put them in the trash. If you used rubber gloves, discard these as well.
- Disinfect your clothes and your tools. Tools used for removing poison ivy must be disinfected. Rinse your pruners and shovel, including the handles, with rubbing alcohol. Let them dry and then oil the parts to prevent rust. Likewise, the clothes you have on while removing poison ivy must be cleaned. Wash your clothing separately and clean your boots or shoes with cold, soapy water and a hose
So, despite our warnings about avoidance, removal, and protection against poison ivy, poison oak and/or poison sumac, you bumbled out into the wilds and have an itchy rash... did you bump the bush or climb the vine?
What is this rash? The itchy rash from these plants forms within 24 to 72 hours of contact, depending on where it touches. It usually peaks within a week, but can last up to two to three weeks.
Urushiol begins to stick to your skin within minutes. So if you know you have come into contact with poison ivy, oak, or sumac, immediately wash the area with lukewarm water and soap. If water is unavailable, rubbing alcohol or alcohol wipes can remove urushiol. Keep the affected area cool, dry, and clean. Wash your clothes and clean your boots or shoes. Hose down any garden or camping tools you may have been using when contact was made. A rash from poison ivy, oak, or sumac looks like patches or streaks of red, raised blisters. The rash does not spread unless urushiol is still making contact on the skin. Some people find their sensitivity to urushiol decreases as they age.
The rash is caused by skin contact with the oils (resin) of these plants. Smoke from burning these plants can cause the same reaction. The oils usually enter the skin rapidly. It is rarely spread from person to person.
The rash does not spread by the fluid from the blisters. Therefore, once a person has washed the oil completely off the skin, the rash is usually not contagious.
Keep in mind that the plant oils may remain for a long time on contaminated clothing, pets, tools, shoes, and other surfaces. These contaminated items can cause rashes in the future if they are not properly cleaned.
FIRST AID FOR POISON IVY, POISON SUMAC, AND POISON OAK
Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, and Poison Sumac
General Information:
Signs and symptoms include itching, redness, and seeping blisters on the skin after suspected contact.
Treatment:
- Avoid touching any contaminated skin and clothing.
- Responders should use gloves (if available) to carefully remove all clothing from the affected area to avoid contaminating other areas. Use scissors if available to remove the contaminated clothing so that it does not touch unaffected areas. Be especially careful not to contaminate the face and eyes.
- Never burn contaminated clothing or plants; the oils released in the smoke can irritate eyes, nose, throat, and exposed skin.
- Wash the affected skin area thoroughly with running water. Soap is not recommended as it also removes skin oils that naturally protect against absorption of plant poisons.
- Wash all clothing and any objects that have come in contact with the plant poison.
- Over the counter ointments and lotions may be used to help alleviate the symptoms such as itching and swelling. Follow the instructions on the label carefully.
- If the face, eyes, or mouth are affected, if a large area of the skin is blistered, or if a severe rash develops, seek medical attention.
From the American CPR Training™ / American Environmental Health & Safety™ First-Aid Guide published by Urgent First Aid™ © 2013, Used with permission - read about the First Aid Guide Book / Pocket Manual or Buy the Urgent First Aid Guide with CPR & AED - 48 Pages
Home remedies and over-the-counter medicines can ease the itching and keep you more comfortable. Once a rash develops, keep it clean, dry, and cool. Using calamine lotion, diphenhydramine, or hydrocortisone can help control itching. Cool compresses or baths with baking soda or oatmeal can also help soothe the rash. Don't scratch. Scratching won't spread the rash, but can cause scarring or infection. Your doctor may also recommend other medications for your symptoms.
Some valid over-the-counter itch relief ideas include Calamine Lotion, Hydrocortisone Cream, or specialized Tecnu Oak-N-Ivy Skin Cleanser.
See your doctor if the rash is close to your eyes or is widespread over your body. It is important to have an accurate diagnosis. If needed, he can prescribe oral medications that will help with swelling and itching. Head to the emergency room if you have severe reactions in addition to the rash, such as nausea, fever, shortness of breath, extreme soreness at the rash site, or swollen lymph nodes.
Call 911 or go to an emergency room if:
- Someone is suffering a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, or has had a severe reaction in the past.
- Someone has been exposed to the smoke of a burning plant.
Call your provider if:
- Itching is severe and cannot be controlled.
- The rash affects your face, lips, eyes, or genitals.
- The rash shows signs of infection, such as pus, yellow fluid leaking from blisters, odor, or increased tenderness.

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Pets & Poison Ivy: A dog or cat's fur usually protects its skin from urushiol. But urushiol can stay on a pet's fur and rub off on you. If your pet explores areas where poisonous plants are found, bathe him with soap and cool water. Be sure to wear gloves.
Outdoor Survival & Wilderness Emergency 1st Aid - Camping, Hiking, Backpacking, Canoeing, Kayaking, whatever your outdoor or wilderness adventure...we've got your emergency and preparedness gear needs covered with: Body Warmers & Hot Packs, Calamine Lotion, Emergency Food Rations, Flashlights, Ivy Barriers, Lip Ointment, Sting Relief Products, Solar Blankets, Moleskin for Blisters, Outdoor First Aid and Sunscreen, Lotions and Towelettes.
Used for the Itching Relief and Aid of Poison Oak and Sumac, Calamine Lotion comes in various plastic bottles.
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Blistex Lip Ointment and Chapstick for the Relief and Prevention of Chapped Lips.
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Our 1200, 2400 and 3600 Calorie Mayday Food Bars are Approved by the U.S. Coast Guard & have a 5 Year Shelf Life.
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Designed to Protect Exposed, Blistered Skin, Preventing further Inflammation and Soreness--Moleskin Premium Grade available in boxes and rolls.
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Super Bright Dynamo LED, Rechargeable Lantern, Mega Bright AM/FM, Light Sticks and Mega Bright Waterproof Light.
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Outdoor Mini First Aid Kits, Outdoor First Aid Kit Medium Soft-sided & Outdoor First Aid Kit Small Soft-sided.
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Redi-Wash Self Heating Washcloths, Re-usable Heating Pad, Body Warmers & Heatworks Glove, Hand & Pocket Warmers.
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Easy to Store and Keep Handy--Plastic Rain Poncho Quick Cover with Hood, one size fits all.
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Insect Repellant in Relief Pads & Repellent Pumps. Wasp & Hornet Spray, Bite Relief with Applicator & Repellent Towelette. Ben's Outdoor, DEET, Natrapel with Permathrin - After Bite and more!
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Emergency Blankets in boxes and trays, SmartTab EzRefill Emergency Blankets & Paramedic Blankets.
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Calamine Lotion, Hydrocortisone Cream, Ivarest Itch Relief Cream, Bite Relief Cream, Tecnu Oak-N-Ivy Skin Cleanser & various Insect Sting Relievers.
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SPF 30 Pouch of Sunscreen, SPF 30 Sunscreen Towelette & SPF 30 Sunscreen Bottle.
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Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, and Poison Sumac Pre-Contact Solution available in plastic bottles.
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BPA Free Water Bottles, Portable Water Bags, Germicidal Water Purification Tablets, Collapsible Water Containers, Water Preservatives, Water Cubes, Water2Go Water Bottles, Aqua Blox & Water Barrels.
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Sources: Urgent First Aid, American CPR, National Institutes of Health, About, WebMD