If
you've ever had an unfortunate experience with Poison
ivy, you learn very quickly how to avoid it!
Poison
ivy grows along stream bank, in woodlands, and fencerows.
Knowing how to identify and control poison ivy is
your best defense.
Poison ivy has a compound leaf consisting of three
leaflets. The leaflets are two to four inches long,
dull or glossy green with pointed tips. The middle
leaflet is usually a bit bigger than the two side
leaflets. The margins of the leaflets can be toothed,
lobed, or even smooth. The leaves are positioned alternately
on the stems. Blossoms appear in late spring, white
berries in late summer. Poison ivy can be confused
for other plants in the woodlands.
All
parts of the plant are poisonous at all times of the
year - including the roots. And, even the dead leaves
in winter!
According
to the American Academy of Dermatology, about 85 percent
of people have an allergic reaction to Poison ivy.
It may take several exposures to Poison ivy to trigger
an allergic reaction and each time you have a reaction
it might be different - even in the same year! The
oily toxin in Poison ivy is transmitted when the plant
is injured - a break or just a nibble from an insect.
Because the sticky, oily toxin is easily transmitted,
there are indirect ways to contact it, for instance,
from the fur of the family pet, garden tools, garden
gloves, clothing, golf balls or other objects that
have come in contact with an injured plant. The oily
toxin can remain active for several months to a year
on objects.
If
you know you've been exposed to poison ivy, change
clothing immediately and wash the exposed skin with
soap and cool water. A visible reaction, redness and
swelling may be apparent within 12 to 24 hours. Contact
your family physician or pharmacist for recommendations
for effective non-prescription medication.
Be
careful not to expose yourself to any smoke of burning
poison ivy; even wood with a poison ivy vine attached.
to it. Take extreme caution to avoid inhaling smoke
or contact smoke with skin or clothing - you can contract
a rash just from this exposure.
Did
you know Poison ivy is also beneficial? Poison ivy
might cause humans headaches, but the berries are
a popular food for songbirds including Robins. Birds
feed on insects hiding in the vines. Other wildlife
like deer feed on the plants.
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