Poison Ivy Rash
A very good warning against poison ivy rash is the rhyme 'leaves of three, let it be'. Here, we shall shed some light on the possible causes, symptoms, identification and treatment of this painful rash.
A painful and itchy rash is observed on the human skin, after coming in contact with the poison ivy plant. The poison ivy, which is scientifically known as Toxicodendron radicans, is a woody wine. Some of older synonyms of the poison ivy, include Rhus toxicodendron and Rhus radicans. This plant, principally grows as a shrub, or an understory plant, in the forests. Poison ivy also grows in the form of shade tolerant plants, ground cover and also, as a climbing vine.
Index
As the name suggests, this rash is caused by the plant poison ivy that belongs to the plant family that bears characteristic three leaves, grouped together. Though, the poison ivy, is known as an 'ivy', in reality, it does not belong to the ivy plant family, which is scientifically known as Hedera helix. The name of the plant is, thus, at times, written as 'poison ivy', to indicate the fact that this plant is not an ivy in the real sense.
The poison ivy is a native of the North American continent, and is found in many different types of regions. The reason that the poison ivy has come into the limelight, in recent years, is due to its ability to grow in variable soils. The poison ivy grows in many different regions, like rocky areas, plains, pastures, and even, in residential areas. The reason that one should be aware of the poison ivy and also, about its rash, is due to the fact that this plant is found predominantly in suburban areas and any residential areas with gardens.
Rash Cause: Urushiol Induced Contact Dermatitis
The cause of rash is extremely simple, that is, contact of the human skin with the poison ivy plant, especially the leaves.
The poison ivy plant leaf contains an oil, known by the name urushiol. This oil is found in many different plants, such as the poisonous oak that causes poisonous oak rash or the poison sumac. The unusual characteristic of the urushiol oil is that it binds itself to anything that it comes into contact with. Thus, it takes just a slight contact with the plant to develop a really painful rash. The urushiol also sticks on to clothing, which makes it not only more dangerous but also indirectly contagious. Any person, thus coming into contact with those clothing, is at a risk of developing this rash. This can also be a possible reason, for the rash to spread among a group of people.
If the urushiol oil stays on your hands, this rash is contagious. The reaction that actually causes the rash is, also, known as contact dermatitis. The contact dermatitis is a reaction of the skin that occurs, when the skin comes into contact with allergic oils, such as urushiol. The reason that one should beware of contact dermatitis is because it is not only contagious, due to its physical properties, but the rashes at first contact are extremely painful and can show different visible symptoms.
The effects of the urushiol oil are indirect and occur due to the automatic response of the human immune system. When the urushiol oil comes in contact with the human skin, the binding substance reacts with the skin and changes the shape of the integral membrane proteins of the cells. These cells are attacked by the immune system of the human body, as they are confused as alien cells. The effect is very painful rash.
Rash Symptoms
The symptoms are variable and depend on various factors, like the surface area that was exposed to urushiol oil, or the strength of the immune system, or the amount of urushiol oil that was exposed to the skin. The primary symptoms of this rash are as follows:
The rash does not occur immediately after the skin comes into contact with the urushiol oil, but the majority symptoms occur anywhere between 12 to 48 hours after the contact. The rash duration can range from 2-3 days to about 3 weeks, depending upon the skin conditions and the intensity and area of the rash.
Rash Treatment
Treating this rash is most critical aspect and precaution has to be taken to ensure that the urushiol does not spread. The instant cure is washing the exposed area. The water would carry away urushiol oil and the intensity of the symptoms would be minimized. This rash can also be treated with a variety of heat treatments, that include a hot water bath, oatmeal bath or simply drying off with a hair blower.
Pharmaceutical companies have also come up with different types of poison ivy rash kits. These treatment kits can be bought at almost all chemists and drug stores. It would be advisable to keep a kit ready with you, while hiking or trekking. Some of the commercial brand names that can be used as poison ivy rash remedies are Tecnu Extreme Poison Ivy Scrub, Ivy Cleanse Towelettes, and Zanfel. Most of these medications are available over-the-counter. It is, however, advisable to consult a skin specialist or a physician, if you observe any of the rash symptoms.
Rash Identification
The best way to prevent a rash is to learn to identify the poison ivy plant itself. In order to learn to identify the plant, refer to the poison ivy plant pictures. It would also be advisable for you to look at the rash pictures.
In order to avoid the painful effects of this plant, I would recommend carefully cutting all poison ivy plants in your locality. The rash of poison ivy plant is particularly contagious, and another big drawback is that, stronger your immune system, more intense are its symptoms.
Index
- Poison Ivy Plant
- Rash Cause: Urushiol Induced Contact Dermatitis
- Rash Symptoms
- Rash Treatment
- Rash Identification
 |
As the name suggests, this rash is caused by the plant poison ivy that belongs to the plant family that bears characteristic three leaves, grouped together. Though, the poison ivy, is known as an 'ivy', in reality, it does not belong to the ivy plant family, which is scientifically known as Hedera helix. The name of the plant is, thus, at times, written as 'poison ivy', to indicate the fact that this plant is not an ivy in the real sense.
The poison ivy is a native of the North American continent, and is found in many different types of regions. The reason that the poison ivy has come into the limelight, in recent years, is due to its ability to grow in variable soils. The poison ivy grows in many different regions, like rocky areas, plains, pastures, and even, in residential areas. The reason that one should be aware of the poison ivy and also, about its rash, is due to the fact that this plant is found predominantly in suburban areas and any residential areas with gardens.
Rash Cause: Urushiol Induced Contact Dermatitis
 |
The cause of rash is extremely simple, that is, contact of the human skin with the poison ivy plant, especially the leaves.
The poison ivy plant leaf contains an oil, known by the name urushiol. This oil is found in many different plants, such as the poisonous oak that causes poisonous oak rash or the poison sumac. The unusual characteristic of the urushiol oil is that it binds itself to anything that it comes into contact with. Thus, it takes just a slight contact with the plant to develop a really painful rash. The urushiol also sticks on to clothing, which makes it not only more dangerous but also indirectly contagious. Any person, thus coming into contact with those clothing, is at a risk of developing this rash. This can also be a possible reason, for the rash to spread among a group of people.
If the urushiol oil stays on your hands, this rash is contagious. The reaction that actually causes the rash is, also, known as contact dermatitis. The contact dermatitis is a reaction of the skin that occurs, when the skin comes into contact with allergic oils, such as urushiol. The reason that one should beware of contact dermatitis is because it is not only contagious, due to its physical properties, but the rashes at first contact are extremely painful and can show different visible symptoms.
The effects of the urushiol oil are indirect and occur due to the automatic response of the human immune system. When the urushiol oil comes in contact with the human skin, the binding substance reacts with the skin and changes the shape of the integral membrane proteins of the cells. These cells are attacked by the immune system of the human body, as they are confused as alien cells. The effect is very painful rash.
Rash Symptoms
The symptoms are variable and depend on various factors, like the surface area that was exposed to urushiol oil, or the strength of the immune system, or the amount of urushiol oil that was exposed to the skin. The primary symptoms of this rash are as follows:
- Red skin
- Severe itching
- Swelling of skin
- Blisters
- Inflammation
The rash does not occur immediately after the skin comes into contact with the urushiol oil, but the majority symptoms occur anywhere between 12 to 48 hours after the contact. The rash duration can range from 2-3 days to about 3 weeks, depending upon the skin conditions and the intensity and area of the rash.
Rash Treatment
 |
Treating this rash is most critical aspect and precaution has to be taken to ensure that the urushiol does not spread. The instant cure is washing the exposed area. The water would carry away urushiol oil and the intensity of the symptoms would be minimized. This rash can also be treated with a variety of heat treatments, that include a hot water bath, oatmeal bath or simply drying off with a hair blower.
Pharmaceutical companies have also come up with different types of poison ivy rash kits. These treatment kits can be bought at almost all chemists and drug stores. It would be advisable to keep a kit ready with you, while hiking or trekking. Some of the commercial brand names that can be used as poison ivy rash remedies are Tecnu Extreme Poison Ivy Scrub, Ivy Cleanse Towelettes, and Zanfel. Most of these medications are available over-the-counter. It is, however, advisable to consult a skin specialist or a physician, if you observe any of the rash symptoms.
Rash Identification
The best way to prevent a rash is to learn to identify the poison ivy plant itself. In order to learn to identify the plant, refer to the poison ivy plant pictures. It would also be advisable for you to look at the rash pictures.
In order to avoid the painful effects of this plant, I would recommend carefully cutting all poison ivy plants in your locality. The rash of poison ivy plant is particularly contagious, and another big drawback is that, stronger your immune system, more intense are its symptoms.
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