During the summer and fall many people go to woodland parks and wilderness areas for recreation and to exercise. You must take care in these areas not to be exposed to poison ivy plants. The most common poisonous plants are from the “toxicodendron” family and the most commonly known of these is poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac.
About 80 to 85 percent of Americans have an allergic reaction to these plants. Poison oak, ivy and sumac are native to northern and eastern America and grow well in California, in woods and hillside properties. They grow to between four to eight feet and can be in the form of a vine or a shrub. The poison ivy leaf is oval shaped with small grooves and toothed edges and the poison oak have deeper grooves. They all have one thing in common, their arrangement of three leafs on one stem, and they are often referred to as the three leafed vines. All have bright red fruits in the fall, which also help to identify them.
This family of plants has a juice called oleoresin and the allergen that causes the skin reaction is called urushiol. The skin rash and allergic reaction that develop after contact with the plant is known as contact dermatitis. The itching and rash usually begin within 24 to 48 hours after exposure. The symptoms gradually become aggravated with development of blisters and excessive itching followed by crusting and scab formation. After one week the skin lesions gradually improve and within two to three weeks complete recovery will follow.
Exposure to the plant can be direct or indirect. For example, a dog could carry the allergen from plant to human. Treat exposure by thoroughly cleansing skin by washing with warm water and soap immediately. After drying, apply cortisone cream. In many cases this treatment is not adequate and the person will need to see a doctor or possibly a specialist.
If you have any questions, please call Valencia Allergy and Asthma Center at 661-259-6996 and speak to one of our friendly staff members or the doctor.