What is the difference between poison ivy and ivy

With the weather warming up, and the daylight lasting longer, more people will be spending more time outside. If you are planning a picnic or camping trip this summer, you should be aware of some of the poisonous plants you could encounter.

The itchy, red, irritating rash that follows a run-in with poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac could bring a swift end to the outdoor fun, so it is important to know how to recognize which kinds of plants to stay away from.

Poison ivy is the most widely recognized poisonous plant. The plant can grow in the forms of vines, shrubs, or ground clovers.

They grow in clusters of three and often have a glossy or sometimes fuzzy appearance. In the summer, a poison ivy plant often has yellow flowers with white berries. In the fall, poison ivy leaves turn yellow and red. Unsurprisingly, because of its name, poison oak leaves look very similar to oak leaves.

The leaves usually grow in clusters of three, five, seven, or nine. Poison oak grows as a low shrub most commonly in the southeast. Poison ivy and poison oak along with poison sumac, which is less common contain a toxic oil called urushiol. Urushiol irritates the skin of most people exposed to it. The rash develops 12 to 72 hours after coming into contact with urushiol and can last between two to four weeks.

Has your child recently been to Camp Vesper Point or another summer camp and come home with a rash? Common Symptoms Red and itchy skin, which is often an early symptom A red rash that develops in streaks or patches where the plant has touched the skin A red rash that becomes bumpy with or without small to large wet blisters Why Do These Plants Cause a Rash?

Like poison ivy, poison oak has intense green leaves with differing amounts of red color during the year. It also grows in clusters of three. Poison oak leaves are a bit different than poison ivy leaves.

Poison oak grows as a low shrub in Eastern and Southern states, but as a long vine or tall clump on the West Coast. Poison sumac also grows as a tall shrub or small tree. Unlike poison ivy and poison oak, its leaves grow on stems with groups of 7 to 13 leaves that appear as pairs.

Poison sumac leaves are reddish green. The plant also grows small, whitish-green hanging berries. Some people never become sensitive and can be exposed to the oil without developing a rash. For others, sensitivity to urushiol can decrease over time. In some cases, children become less sensitive as they grow older.

Sensitivity levels to urushiol vary, and so does the intensity of the rash. If a person has a reaction, it may be mild, moderate, or severe. In most cases, an allergic reaction from urushiol is mild and lasts around one to three weeks.

In severe cases, a rash might last longer. Inhaling burning poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac can cause dangerous rashes and swelling in the nasal passages and airways. Many people think the rashes caused by poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac can spread over the body. They can, but only if the urushiol you come into contact with is spread to and absorbed in other parts of the body.

It can take a long time for the rash to appear on some parts of the body, which can make it seem like the rash is spreading. You should also avoid topical anesthetics, such as benzocaine. Find OTC anti-itch medications , calamine lotion , antihistamines , aluminum hydroxide gel , and zinc oxide here. You can use home remedies to relieve urushiol rash symptoms, such as itching, redness, and blistering.

These remedies include:. Want to give one of these home remedies a try? Find aloe vera , witch hazel , bentonite clay , and essential oils online. You can prevent a reaction from poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac by knowing how urushiol can spread and how to avoid it.

A dermatologist will be able to confirm if your rash was caused by a poisonous plant.