Is Poison Ivy Getting Worse?
Posted July 6, 2007 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Poison ivy: if you come into contact with it, the side effects can be serious. And researchers are now saying the plant is becoming more potent.
At least that’s what experts at Duke University and the United States Department of Agriculture have concluded. They say it’s growing more quickly, with larger leaves – and the oil on them, the stuff that gives people rashes, is stronger.
If you’ve ever been near the woods, you’ve probably been told to watch out for poison ivy, and those itch-inducing leaves that often appear in three leaves and three stalks attached to one stem. They can grow either from shrubs or from vines, which are often located at the outer edges of forests, where clearings end and woods begin.
“[The edge of a path] is typically where people might come in contact with it. Your pant leg might brush up against it and when you go to brush it off you come in contact with the oil that actually causes the irritation,” said Garth Armour from Toronto Forestry.
The inconspicous leaves produce an oil called urushiol that causes an allergic reaction in many people’s skin. The reaction isn’t immediate, it takes a while for it to penetrate and up to two days for a rash to develop. That means people who are exposed and don’t realize it don’t necessarily get away from the plant as soon as they might have otherwise.
Calamine lotion, hydrocortisone cream, and allergy medication can all help to reduce the itch if you do come in contact with poison ivy.
Description
Effects of Poison Ivy
Treatment in Case of Skin Contact
Prevention & Self Care
Similar Plants
Control of Poison Ivy
Disposal of Poison Ivy
Poison Ivy Quiz: Do you know to spot the plant?
