POISON IVY, POISON OAK

POISON IVY, POISON OAK, and poison sumac come from a family of plants known as Toxidendrons, and the irritating substance is a toxin called urushiol, which is found in the leaves, stems, and roots. They cause the skin to turn red, develop a rash, swell, and blister, all accompanied by an intense and persistent itching that can last for days. The inflammation and itching are an allergic reaction to the toxin, and, while some people are more sensitive than others, almost everybody gets the reaction after exposure. You don’t get poison ivy or poison oak just by standing close to the plant: You must touch it. Poison ivy can also be picked up by touching objects that were exposed to the toxic sap, such as unwashed gardening tools or boots. Dogs and cats, while not themselves allergic to poison plants, can brush up against them and get the sap on their fur, exposing people who come in contact with them, (Washing your pet, using rubber gloves, can free him of the toxin.) In addition, if these plants are burned, the toxin is released in the air and can be inhaled with the smoke, causing extreme irritation to the lungs.

The best cure for poison ivy is avoiding it in the first place. Both poison ivy and poison oak have leaves that grow in clusters of three, and both plants, as well as poison sumac, bear white berries in the summertime. Gardeners should wear gloves and boots to protect themselves from poison ivy.

There is a product that creates a barrier between your skin and the poison. It’s called Ivy Shield and you can get it at some gardening and outdoor equipment stores. It won’t completely protect you, but it’s a good beginning if you know you’re likely to be exposed.

If you do get some sap on your skin, wash within fifteen minutes, if possible, with plenty of water, being careful not to spread the toxin to other areas of the body. Brown laundry soap is best. A poison ivy and oak cleanser called Tecnu is very effective in removing the toxin. It’s an over-the-counter lotion. You just apply the lotion to the affected areas and then wash it off in a shower and towel dry. I’ve used it myself very successfully.

If you suspect that you’ve come in contact with the plants, thoroughly wash your clothes with hot water and detergent. Even shoes and garden tools can harbor the poison so that wearing or using them at a later date can cause a reaction. I’ve had patients who have had cases of poison ivy that just wouldn’t seem to go away, and it’s usually because they continue to wear contaminated clothes or use contaminated tools.

If you do break out, try not to scratch, because you’ll irritate the skin even more and possibly cause infection. However, contrary to myth, scratching will not spread the poison ivy, because the watery blisters don’t contain toxin.

Home remedies for poison ivy rashes and itching include calamine lotion, baking soda, or over-the-counter cortisone creams. Calamine lotion helps coot the burning itch and dries up the blisters. Baking soda can be mixed with witch hazel to form a paste and then applied to the rash. Some people find that Tecnu cleanser helps relieve the rash even after it breaks out. And crushed plantain leaves-plantain is a common weed found in lawns-are said to relieve the irritation of poison ivy and to stop the itching. Antihistamines such as Benadryl can bring some relief. Whatever you do, it will take at least one to two weeks for the outbreak to heal (vitamin C seems to help speed the healing).

If home remedies don’t help, your doctor may prescribe a stronger cortisone cream or antihistamine. Most people don’t need medical attention for poison ivy, but some are so highly allergic that their entire system is affected. They may run a fever, their eyes may swell up, and they may even have difficulty breathing. If you experience any of these reactions, see your doctor immediately, who may give you an injection of cortisone. Intravenous injections of vitamin C have also been found to relieve the symptoms.

One last thing: Sometimes people who are very sensitive to poison ivy will also react to mangoes and cashews while they are suffering from the rash and so they should avoid these foods at that time. In addition, there are some people who have unexplained food allergies and react strongly to poison ivy. If this describes you, you should probably avoid mangoes and cashews at all times.

NATURAL PRESCRIPTION FOR POISON IVY

• Avoid contact with the plants; learn to recognize them. They may grow along the ground or up the trunks of trees or even along fences.
• The leaves may be dull or glossy but they always grow in triple clusters. In the fall, the leaves may change to a pinkish color, and in the summer the plants have white berries.
• Wash the affected areas as soon as possible after exposure with Tecnu cleanser, brown laundry soap, or any soap available.
• Wash any clothing that might have been exposed to poison ivy. Use hot water and strong detergent.
• For topical relief, use crushed plantain leaves, calamine lotion, baking soda, or cortisone cream. You can mix the baking soda with witch hazel to form a paste and apply it to the rash.
• Take antihistamines such as Benadryl to relieve irritation and itching.
• If you develop severe symptoms such as swollen and reddened eyes, fever, or difficulty breathing, or the rash does not show signs of healing, see your doctor immediately.

IN ADDITION TO YOUR DAILY SUPPLEMENTS, TAKE:

• Vitamin C: 2,000 mg. daily to speed healing.