Q) I moved to this area recently from the city and I am told there is a fair amount of poison ivy around. What can you tell me about it and how is it best treated if I come into contact with it?
A) Along with amazing beaches, beautiful sunsets, and bagpipes, Bruce County is also home to its share of poison ivy. For those unfamiliar with the plant, an encounter with it (or its close relatives poison oak and poison sumac) can put a damper on an otherwise perfect holiday.
The first and most important step is learning how to recognize the plant. Poison ivy typically grows as a shrub or vine and is commonly found in open fields, wooded areas, riverbanks, roadsides, and unfortunately sometimes in parks and backyards. Its appearance is highly variable as it can grow low to the ground as a groundcover, stand upright at 2–3 feet tall, or climb trees and fences as a vine.
Despite these variations, the key identifying feature remains the same: leaves in clusters of three, with the middle leaf on a longer stalk than the two side leaves. The leaves are often shiny and can range from reddish-bronze in spring, to bright or deep green in summer, and vibrant red-orange in autumn in sunny areas (or dull tan in shade). In spring, the plant may have small greenish-white flowers, and in the autumn it may bear waxy white berries. You may notice that some animals will eat the berries, but humans should definitely not attempt this due to the toxic liquid the plant is known for. Urushiol,the oily resin that causes allergic reactions, is present throughout the entire plant: leaves, stems, berries and roots.
Urushiol is colourless, odourless, and incredibly potent. Even microscopic amounts can cause a reaction in 80–85% of people, with 10–15% experiencing a severe reaction. The rash, known as allergic contact dermatitis, can appear within hours to two days after exposure and may last for weeks or longer depending on the individual’s sensitivity.
The rash typically begins as red, itchy, and raised areas, and may progress to include:
· Bullae (fluid-filled blisters),
· Papules (small, red bumps),
· Swelling and more widespread inflammation.
Treatment is the same whether the reaction is from poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac. The first thing you should do is wash the affected area thoroughly with plain soap or a soapless cleanser and cool water as soon as possible, ideally within 10–15 minutes of exposure. Avoid scrubbing, as it may worsen irritation or spread the resin (the fluid that is causing you to have a reaction) to other areas. You do not need to purchase a special product since plain soap or a soapless cleanser works well if used promptly. Here are a few things you can use or do to help alleviate your symptoms;
· Calamine lotion may help relieve itching, although feedback on its effectiveness is mixed.
· Oatmeal baths (e.g., Aveeno) are widely recommended to relieve itching and inflammation.
· Cool, wet compresses for 15 to 30 minutes several times a day
· Over-the-counter steroid creams or ointments may help with mild cases, though you might need a prescription strength topical steroid for more severe reactions.
· Aveeno Anti-Itch lotion helps to reduce itchiness and is a mixture of calamine, pramoxine (for pain and itch) in an oatmeal base.
· Oral antihistamines like Benadryl, Reactine, or Aerius do not significantly reduce the rash, since urushiol-induced dermatitis is not histamine-driven. However, they may help with sleep if itching is disruptive.
· Let’s mention a few products that do not appear to help your poison ivy reaction and may in fact worsen your reaction by causing secondary allergic reactions.
· Topical antihistamines (like Benadryl cream),
· “Caine” anesthetic products (e.g., Solarcaine),
· Antibiotic creams (e.g., Polysporin),
If the rash is widespread, on the face or genitals, or involves significant swelling or blistering, further treatment is usually required. Make an appointment with your pharmacist for an assessment since contact dermatitis is one of the minor ailments that pharmacists in Ontario can assess and prescribe for. We can evaluate the severity and, when appropriate, prescribe a stronger topical corticosteroid or refer you to another health care practitioner for oral steroid treatment (such as prednisone) if needed. Any treatment works best when started early, ideally before blisters have developed, so don’t delay seeking help if initial steps don’t bring relief.
Though pets are not as likely to suffer from poison ivy as humans do, there is a chance that their fur may be holding the resin which may transfer to us humans as we pet and cuddle with them. Be mindful of where your pets stray on walks to avoid this mishap.
Finally, as is the case with many ailments, prevention is key. It helps if you know what plants to avoid. A good rule of thumb when it comes to poison ivy is to “leave it be if it has leaves of three,”. Wear long pants and closed-toe shoes when exploring the countryside. Urushiol can also cling to clothing, pets (as we already mentioned), and gardening tools, so it’s wise to wash everything that might have come into contact with the plant, even if a rash hasn’t developed yet.
For more information about poison ivy or any other health-related questions, contact the pharmacists at Gordon Pharmasave, Your Health and Wellness Destination.
