Gaileen Sutton

Poison ivy is a plant that looks like a weed plant. It can grow like a bush or it an grow up a tree. There are three leaflets that connect to the stem and they change colors including yellow, red and orange. Some plants have green flowers or sometimes berries that are a whitish tint.

Every child growing up most likely heard from their parents not to go near any poison ivy, to stay away from it. It is hard to know as a child what plant they need to stay clear from. However, about 12 hours you will see some symptoms such as redness, blisters, some swelling and he or she says it is itchy so you should seek care right away.

Someone coming in contact with the plant will break out in a rash if the skin touches the oil from it. Although there is no need to worry about coming in contact with it, is can be nerve racking. You probably are self conscious because of the rash and blisters that are on parts of the body. This needs to be looked at right away.

A result of coming into contact with this plant is how itchy it is. To help the itching you can find an antihistamine sold over the counter at a local grocery store. These antihistamines come in creams, sprays or lotions. You can also find some to take orally if you want.

For the rash you will need hydrocortisone creams or sprays, whichever you prefer. Other products such as baking soda, Aveeno, calamine and others are available to dry out blisters. Any of these products can be also found at your local grocery store.

You need to seek the attention of a doctor if you have been affected in the face or the genitals. These areas are easily scarred and can swell up badly and this is something a person wants to avoid. If the affected area is more than 10 percent of the body, which is about the size of the abdomen, medical attention should be sought. Any signs of infection or excessive itching should also be checked out by a doctor.

The rash typically does not spread since urushiol is no found in the blisters. However, you will want to keep your hands washed, especially children since they may scratch and skin will be under the nail. There are times you do want to seek the attention of your doctor and that is when the rash does not seem to be getting better or if it covers most of the body. Also go to the doctor if it is oozing out puss or if you have a high temperature.

Today, studies have shown how the plant of the poison ivy is getting larger in size, but the question is why. Research from Duke University shows that carbon dioxide causes these plants to double in size since the 1950s. This leaf is also producing oils that are more toxic. If carbon dioxide is the culprit then this can become an epidemic.

Find out more about the easy way you can achieve relief from poison ivy rashes fast! When you use the best poison ivy spray on the market, you will start feeling better quickly!