Poison ivy is a plant with which it is better to avoid direct contact, otherwise an allergic reaction will not slow down to manifest itself. He does not pose a serious threat to health, but the person experiences a rather unpleasant condition. Contact with ivy causes an allergic rash on any part of the skin. Moreover, rashes can appear even if you touch an object that was near this plant, whether it is garden tools, work clothes or animal hair.
Recognizing poison ivy is very difficult, because its varieties often resemble other plants, and only after the appearance of a rash can we assume that it was in contact with it. It is best to pre-secure yourself with covered clothing in those cases when you have to deal with unfamiliar vegetation.
Skin rashes provoke oil contained in this poisonous plant. It is a strong allergen. An allergic reaction does not occur on ivy itself, but as soon as contact with the oil has occurred, even through other objects, its manifestation will be inevitable. What is most remarkable is the fact that poison ivy is a plant that continues to keep this secret even after the fruits, branches, leaves and roots have dried. It has neither smell nor color, and easily spreads throughout the body.
Usually a rash begins to appear one to two days after contact with the pathogen, but sometimes it can occur after a longer time. Rashes on the body appear in the form of redness, itching, swelling, small blisters. They cover the skin gradually over several days. It all depends on the amount of substance acting on the affected area. Sometimes blisters contain blood or become dark.
There are several stages of the appearance of a rash. The degree of its severity is also different. It can occur in two weeks, but only in places of direct contact with the plant. The fluid flowing from the blisters does not contribute to their new appearance. Poison ivy is most likely to hit people with more sensitive skin. It can cause swelling of the face, eyelids, neck, genitals. Sometimes you have to resort to medical treatment.
The severity of the manifestation of an allergic reaction is greatly influenced by the age of the person and the duration of contact with the poisonous plant. Combing the affected areas can cause a bacterial infection. The rash continues to spread if the treatment is not completed or the drugs are not effective enough.
The rashes that poison ivy provokes are mostly mild, and you can try some kind of treatment at home. But usually it ends only with the removal of the symptom, and the treatment process is not accelerated.
As already mentioned, only the oil contained in the plant contributes to the appearance of unpleasant consequences, so you should try to avoid contact with it. It is also useful to learn to recognize poisonous specimens, especially those growing in the immediate vicinity of housing. Their appearance varies depending on the time of year and the environment.
But regardless of the modification of the plant, the amount of oil in it does not change throughout the year, even in winter, when the branches are completely bare. Upon contact with air, it darkens, so the presence of such dark spots can help to recognize the danger. If possible, ivy should be removed, but it is necessary to dress so that the body is as closed as possible, and in no case should you work without gloves. Clothing and items in contact with toxic oil must be carefully and carefully handled.
If there is a suspicion that ivy nevertheless acted on the skin, care for the affected surface should be done immediately, especially since the oil is absorbed for half an hour, so there is enough time to rinse the area of contact.