Poison Ivy Rash

If you have never been a victim of it before you need to know what poison ivy rash looks like and how to treat it. Knowing this will help speed up the treatment time greatly.

Poison ivy is a plant can seems to grow virtually everywhere in the United States. It grows in the woods and can grow right in your back yard as well. In the summertime, the green leaves of the poison ivy plant blend in with other plants so it is very possible to sit down in a patch of poison ivy without even realizing it-until you begin to itch!

A poison ivy rash begins with itching and red skin. The affected area becomes quickly inflamed and small blisters will more than likely develop if left untreated. People who have had poison ivy rashes report that the itching is so intense that it is nearly impossible not to scratch it. Often the rash has a somewhat linear appearance because of how the plant has brushed up against your skin. It normally takes twelve to forty-eight hours after exposure for the reaction to begin and the irritation can endure for a full three weeks. If you see that blisters are forming, take care not to scratch the blisters which will cause them to open as this can cause an infection. It is best to cover the blisters with a loose sterile bandage.
 
The leaves of the poison ivy plants release a substance called urushiol when they are torn, cut or damaged. Urushiol is troublesome once it comes into contact with skin. You can even  get a poison ivy rash without directly touching the plant as urushiol can be transferred easily. A person can contract it from virtually anything that has been in direct contact with the substance. This includes pets, clothing and garden tools. Urushiol can even be picked up through the air if poison ivy has been burned.

If you find yourself with a poison ivy rash, be sure to treat it as quickly as possible. You can use calamine lotion on the rash that will help to dry it up and relieve some of the itching. In the most severe cases, an antihistamine may be required to take the swelling down and to relief the itching.

The very best way to prevent getting a poison ivy rash is prevention. Learn to recognize the plant and learn where it grows. Avoid going into areas that poison ivy grows and be sure to wear long pants and shoes and socks when venturing out into the woods.