Dr. Leigh Vinocur is a board certified emergency physician and national spokesperson for the American College of Emergency Physicians. Currently she is serving on faculty as an Adjunct Assistant Professor, at Louisiana State University Health Science Center, School of Medicine in Shreveport, Louisiana. For more on Dr. Vinocur visit www.drleigh.com.

When outside playing or gardening with nieces and nephews this summer, watch out for poisonous plants!

Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac

Poison ivy and poison oak plants have their leaves in groups of three. Poison sumac has more than three leaves and can be distinguished from regular sumac by the berries – green and white berries are from the poison sumac as opposed to red berries on the regular sumac.

Poison ivy is found in the eastern US while poison oak and poison sumac are found in the southeastern states.

All these plants produce an irritating resin called urushiol; when it contacts the skin, it causes an allergic dermatitis. Only half of the population is sensitive to it, however about 10-15 percent are highly allergic.

Rash usually starts 1-2 days after exposure with red itchy bumps, which then form fluid-filled blisters that can continue to appear weeks later. Very serious, life-threatening reactions can occur if the plants are ingested or if they are inhaled when burned.

It is a myth that the rash and blisters are contagious. By the time the rash appears, all the toxic urushiol has been absorbed into the skin. This occurs usually within minutes of contact. However the oil from the plant can stay on your clothes, garden tools, and pets. It is the contact with those things that causes spreading to different body parts or other people – sometimes even months later! In fact, the oil can be active on any surface, including dead plants, for five years!

Savvy Itch Prevention Tips

1. Keep in mind that most rashes do resolve without treatment.

2. Remember not to scratch a rash because it can cause a secondary infection.

3. Try to wear long pants and long sleeves when outside if you or your nieces and nephews are very sensitive.

4. Over the counter diphenhydramine, steroid creams, cool oatmeal baths, as well as calamine lotions can help with the symptoms of itching.

5. Severely allergic people may need oral or intravenous steroids for bad outbreaks.

6. Some people say that spraying your skin and clothes with antiperspirant containing aluminum chlorohydrate may help prevent urushiol from irritating your skin.

This summer, Aunties, be plant savvy and remember the rhyme “Leaves of three, leave them be!”

Photo: Danilo Rizzuti
Published: June 12, 2013