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Leaves of Three, Let Them Be

The title states an old wise saying. It describes what poison ivy looks like; three leaves on a stem with or without notched edges, growing on vines, green to reddish, depending on the season. However, it is not always that easy to identify. If you have access to the internet, go to www.poison-ivy.org for a very informative pictorial about this plant. (Remember, you can use the internet at your local library if you do not have the internet at home.)

Poison ivy is the most common cause of contact allergy (reaction to something you touch.) It is not the leaves of the plant that cause the itchy, red, blistery rash that develops. The rash is caused by urushiol, a sticky fluid found in the sap of the plant. It can be found in all parts of the plant, including the leaves stems and roots. It may also remain for a time period in dead plants. You must have contact with this fluid in order to break out in a rash. Therefore, scratching poison ivy rashes does not spread it. The bubbles and blisters of the rash do not contain urushiol, but rather are filled with a fluid from blood that is produced as part of the body's reaction to urushiol. Scratching it may lead to infection or scarring, but it does not spread poison ivy.

Besides coming into direct contact with the sap of the plant, you can also get poison ivy through objects that have had contact with the plant sap. Urushiol might be on a golf ball or a garden tool, or on the fur of your family pet. Poison ivy oils can penetrate thin clothing. The smoke from burning poison ivy plants can cause a reaction. The severity of the rash you get will depend on how big a dose of urushiol you are exposed to.

If you think you've been exposed to poison ivy, washing yourself with soap and water may help to prevent the development and/or the spread of a rash. It appears that water inactivates the urushiol. Soap is necessary because urushiol is sticky and not very water-soluble.

Mild rashes may respond to wet compresses or soaking in cool water to reduce itching. For help in drying up rashes, solutions made of dilute aluminum acetate (Burrows Solution), saline (salt) or sodium bicarbonates (baking soda) are recommended. Aveeno, an oatmeal bath, is also helpful. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) recommends these products for soothing and relief from itching: Aluminum hydroxide gel; Calamine; Kaolin; zinc acetate; zinc carbonate; zinc oxide; hydrocortisone preparations; and lotions containing antihistamines such as Caladryl or Benadryl cream. Use caution if applying antihistamine products on children, since they are absorbed through the skin into the blood stream. No products should be used for more than 7 days without consulting a doctor. Severe rashes may require stronger, prescription medicines. Learn to recognize outdoor poisonous plants. While poison ivy is the most common source of contact allergy, urushiol is also found in poison sumac and poison oak. Persons with severe allergy to poison ivy may wish to consider the use of a barrier product (like IvyBlock.) Check with your doctor.

For written information on this topic, District residents (Hamden, North Haven and Woodbridge) can call QVHD, 203.248.4528. Or you can request information online or through email, dculligan@qvhd.org

Quinnipiack Valley Health District
1151 Hartford Turnpike
North Haven, CT 06473

Phone. (203)248-4528
Fax. (203)248-6671
E-Mail. info@qvhd.org