Poison Ivy

Poison oak or also known as Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron diversilobum), is a type of weed mostly found in North America. The leaves are mainly composed of 3-7 distinct lobes and 3 densely haired leaflets. Young and fair-skinned people are more susceptible to allergic reactions from this plant. Blisters caused by poison ivy are not contagious. It will not spread all over the body or to another person if scratched accidentally or deliberately.
Symptoms

To determine to severity of the allergic reactions, the patient must determine their degree of sensitivity, amount of exposure and the body parts exposed to the plant. The eyes, lips and genitals are the parts more sensitive to the poisonous sap of the poison ivy. Skin irritation followed by swelling, severe itchiness, redness and blister formation are apparent after 24-48 hours of contact with the sap.

Mild infection will last for 7-10 days. Severe cases will lasts for weeks.

Causes
The poison ivy sap contains a colorless or a pale yellow oil called urushiol which is the primary cause of rashes. It changes color to brownish black when exposed to air. Urushiol can stick to any object it can come in contact with. Direct and indirect contact with urushiol can cause the same cases of rashes on the skin.

Home Remedies
Alcohol: Rub alcohol to the affected area. Rinse well with water then later with soap and water.

Salt: Moisten the infected area then rub plain table salt over it. This will relieve the itchiness and also prevent it from further spreading.

Banana: Rub the inner side of a banana peel on the rashes to relieve itchiness.

Water: Wash the infected area under running water to take way histamines that causes itchiness of the skin.

Oats: Mix 3 cups of oats in a container filled with warm water. Place the affected area in the container then rub it to relieve itchiness.

Bleach: Mix ¼ cup of bleach in ¾ cup of warm water. Apply on the skin using a washcloth to kill the poison within 2-3 days.

Aloe vera: Apply aloe vera juice on the affected area to provide an instant cooling relief.

Vitamin C: Take vitamin C together with bioflavonoids daily to prevent infection, swelling, and inflammation.

Calcium: Calcium and beta-carotene will boost the immune system and speeds up healing.

Zinc: Take zinc in oral form or in food sources to help repair damaged skin tissues.

Goldenseal root: Use this plant that is native to North America for treatment of the rashes.

Further Suggestions
Don’t burn poison ivy plants for its fumes are harmful to the eyes, nose, throat and lungs.

Cover the whole body by wearing protective gear when wandering around in an area where the poisonous plant grows.

Avoid allowing your pets to come in contact with the plant.