Poison Ivy Primer

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Touch a poison ivy, oak or sumac plant, and you've come in contact with urushiol, the oil that leads to this itchy rash.

But you can also catch it when you touch anything with the oil on it (garden tools, pet fur) or if it's in the air. And as sensitive sufferers know, the plants grow almost everywhere. Protect yourself with long clothing and use a barrier cream, like Ivy-Block, to keep urushiol from penetrating skin.

If you've been exposed, gently rinse off with cool water -- don't scrub (that forces the allergen into the skin), says Dr. Nia Terezakis of Tulane University. The rash usually won't erupt for a few days. If you get it, apply cool compresses and take an antihistamine to ease itching while you sleep.

From Reader's Digest - June 2004

 

• Poisonous Plants
• A guide to poison ivy and other harmful plants.
• 
• Choosing Plants for Your Garden
• Select the right plants for a successful -- and attractive -- garden.
• 
• The Garden Tool Safety Primer
• Simple rules for accident prevention while doing yard work.
• 
• Grilling Safety Tips
• Review these precautions before firing up the grill.
• 

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