Poison ivy

Poison Ivy is a plant with which it is better to avoid direct contact, otherwise the allergic reaction will not slow down to manifest itself. He does not present a serious threat to health, however, a person experiences a rather unpleasant state. Contact with ivy causes an allergic rash on any part of the skin. Moreover, rashes can appear even if you touch the object that was near this plant, whether it is a garden implements, work clothes or the animal's fur.

To recognize poisonous ivy is very difficult, because its species often resemble other plants, and only after the appearance of the rash can we assume that the contact was with him. It is best to first secure yourself with closed clothing in cases where you have to deal with unfamiliar vegetation.

The rash on the skin provokes the oil contained in this poisonous plant. It is a strong allergen. On the ivy itself, an allergic reaction does not occur, but as soon as contact with the oil, even through other objects, its manifestation will be inevitable. What is most noteworthy is that poison ivy is a plant that continues to keep this secret even after the fruits, branches, leaves and roots have dried out. It has no smell, no color, and easily spreads through the body.

Usually, the rash begins to appear one to two days after contact with the pathogen, but sometimes it may occur after a longer time. Eruptions on the body appear in the form of redness, itching, swelling, small blisters. They cover the skin gradually for several days. Everything depends on the amount of substance that affects the affected area. Sometimes the blisters contain blood or get dark.

There are several stages of the appearance of the rash. The degree of its severity is also different. It can occur in two weeks, but only in places of direct contact with the plant. The fluid flowing from the blisters does not contribute to their new appearance. Poison Ivy is most likely to affect people with more sensitive skin. It can cause swelling of the face, eyelids, neck, genitals. Sometimes you have to resort to medical treatment.

The severity of the allergic reaction is strongly influenced by the age of the person and the duration of contact with the poisonous plant. Combing the affected areas can cause a bacterial infection. The rash continues its spread, if the treatment is not completed, or the drugs are not effective enough.

The rashes that provoke poison ivy are generally light in shape, and at home, you can try to take any medication. But usually it ends only by removing the symptom, and the process of treatment is not accelerated.

As already mentioned, the appearance of unpleasant consequences is promoted only by the oil contained in the plant, so you should try to avoid contact with it. It is also useful to learn to recognize poisonous specimens, especially those growing in close proximity to housing. Their appearance changes depending on the time of year and the habitat.

But irrespective of the modification of the plant, the amount of oil in it does not change throughout the year, even in winter, when the branches are completely bare. When exposed to air, it darkens, so the presence of such dark spots can help to recognize the danger. If possible, ivy needs to be removed, but you have to dress so that the body is as close as possible, and, in no case, you can not work without gloves. Clothing and objects that are in contact with poisonous oil should be prone to careful and thorough handling.

If there is a suspicion that after all I worked on the ivy skin, care for the affected surface should be done immediately, especially since the oil is absorbed for half an hour, so there is enough time to rinse the area of contact.