Poison Sumac

Having a close relation with the poison ivy and the poison oak plants, the poison sumac is known to grow in extremely wet areas. Scientifically known as Toxicodendron vernix or Rhus vernix, this woody shrub or small tree may attain a height of 30 feet. Stream banks, pond edges, marshes or bogs are, usually the places, which home this deciduous plant. These are the areas with wet soil conditions, which as mentioned, is one of the requirements for this toxic plant to grow. Eastern United States and Canada are the places which are populated by this toxic shrub. Those who have come across this plant, must have noticed that its leaf stalk is mostly reddish or greenish in color. The shrub's berries are white or gray and its flowers, yellowish-green.

Toxicity

Poison sumac is reputed to be the most toxic plant species in the United States. It is way more poisonous than its cousins, poison ivy and poison oak. The agent which makes this plant so dangerously poisonous is an oil, known as urushiol. This toxic oil is present in the leaves, stems, fruit, roots or flowers of the plant. A direct contact of the skin with any of these parts of the plant is known to cause unpleasant symptoms. Even handling objects which might have been contaminated with the toxic oil, can cause the symptoms. Apart from this, when burned, the fumes may cause rash to appear on the inning of the lungs. This may lead to extreme pain and possibly fatal respiratory difficulty.

Coming to the symptoms, the most pronounced is a rash. The rash usually appears 24-72 hours after the plant has come in contact with the skin, and as small red bumps and develop into painful blisters. These blisters may also appear occurring in a line. The area of the skin, which the plant has brushed against, may suffer warmth, extreme swelling and intense itching. Accompanying these symptoms, there might also occur fever, stomach cramps, nausea and overall body swelling. Fortunately, this rash in not contagious. The rash can only be transmitted by the urushiol oil itself and not by the oozing blisters.

Treatment

On suspecting any contact with the poison sumac, one must immediately wash the affected area with plenty of water. It is also important to pat dry the area. You can avail over-the-counter anti-itch treatments that contain zinc acetate, zinc oxide or hydrocortisone, for treating the skin rash, blisters and itching. If one notices the rash to have spread in a large area, then hesitation to call for a doctor would only make things worse. Even the symptoms which seem to persist more than 3 weeks, demand medical attention. At home, you can use the following methods to reduce and relieve the symptoms cited above.

• Apply cool compresses with water or milk on the affected area.
• Calamine is also an effective non-prescription lotion that helps calming and reducing skin irritation and itching.
• While bathing, add one cup of oatmeal to the water and let it soak for five to ten minutes. This will help in relieving itching. Alternatively, you can also make a paste of oatmeal with water and apply it on the rash.
• One effective treatment for the poison sumac rash is to apply the gel of an aloe vera plant. The liquid helps in reducing inflammation and soothing skin irritation. You can also mix the liquid in warm bath water.
• Mix a cup of vinegar or buttermilk in warm bath water and let it stand for fifteen to twenty minutes. This helps in softening the skin and improving the affected skin appearance, apart from relieving the itching.
• Applying the gel from the stems of the jewelweed plant as soon as the poison sumac comes in contact with the skin, may keep the rash from occurring. The pain may be relieved as well.

The severity of the condition depends upon the amount of the urushiol oil that has come in contact with the skin. If the symptoms are mild, then all such home remedies are good enough for the treatment. Otherwise, visiting a doctor is recommended.