Poison Ivy Cures

So you have just begun to get this recurring itch. The more you scratch, the more it itches. It’s driving you crazy! Just reading this is beginning to make you itch? You might have been exposed to Poison Ivy or one of it’s ‘kissin cousins’, Poison Oak or Poison Sumac.

Poison Ivy comes in many different forms. It can begin as a small leafy perennial weed which left unchecked can rapidly develop into a small woody bush. Poison Ivy can also develop into a vine which will entwine itself around other plants and even climb to the top of full grown trees and buildings. These vines can range from a small tendril to as big as 6 inches or more in diameter.

Young poison ivy tendril

Young poison ivy shoot

Poison ivy leaves

Poison ivy can climb to the top of full grown trees

It’s not uncommon to see all the different forms of Poison Ivy in one area. It usually begins by a seed being dropped by nature. It rapidly grows most anywhere and will eventually vine upwards and spread though the canopy of a tree and in turn drop more seeds over a wider area. It’s a hard weed to get rid of but it can be done and we will cover that later. What is important now is that you can identify it and stay away or protect yourself from it. Here is a link to some photos that will help you.

Poison Ivy can be found across the country with the exception of the far west, deserts and higher altitudes. In the west they have Poison Oak, a relative of Poison Ivy. In the eastern part of the country, Poison Sumac, tends to be more prevalent.

What makes these plants so poisonous? The oil that they secrete! It is a substance called, “Urushiol”. It only takes a small amount to cause a reaction in people that are allergic to this compound, often less than the tip of a pin! Some people are so highly alergic that a molecular trace amount of 2 micrograms can set them off. You don’t even have to come in contact with the plant itself. You can get it from the fur of your pet, (cats and dogs are not allergic to Urushiol, but they can carry it to you). You can even get it if someone burns the weed and the smoke with the molecular oils float in the air to you. Inhaled urushiol is particularly dangerous. It can cause swelling in the bronchial tubes. In extreme cases, this can even cause death. When in doubt, seek medical treatment.