The hidden dangers of poison oak, ivy, plants Sumac
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, each year Americans have a 10-50 develop allergic rash after contact with Poison Oak, Poison Ivy and Poison Sumac plants. invisible oily resin called urushiol causes negative effects of these poisonous plants.
Poison ivy, oak or sumac is found in every state except Alaska and Hawaii. These plants are important to the ecosystems upon which to thrive. The small white or bluish berries found on ivy feeds a number of birdsand small animals. The irritants found in urushiol oil do not affect most animals, and serve on the implications of the plants as a refuge.
The oily resin can stay on pets, shoes, hiking shoes, clothes, toys, garden tools, lawn mowers and anything else that made contact. In fact, oil stays active on any surface including dead plants, for up to five years.
Symptoms
After contact, the reaction (called dermatitis) may be an avalanche of collisions that itching and the bubbles are followed.Scratching does not spread the outbreak but may cause infection because they can give the bacteria from dirty hands to the skin. Symptoms may heal the last ten days to several weeks.
Mild symptoms
* Severe redness
* Signs of infection such as pus
* Rash in mouth, eyes or genital area
* Flash on most of your body or face
* Mild symptoms can be treated with simple home remedies and natural. See below.
Severe symptoms
* SwollenThroat, tongue or lips
* Difficulty breathing or swallowing
* Weakness or dizziness
* Bluish lips and / or mouth
* Unconsciousness
* Serious symptoms require immediate medical care.
Caution
Never burn poison ivy. Burning these poisonous plants, resin urushiol into the air and can get into the lungs and possibly the lungs of a neighbor. If you get poison ivy in the lungs, it must go to hospital.
Pet Alert
The only threatResin to our pets, when he chased him on other things or people. If your dog is just bumps and itching, you can not take them.
Treatment
Because urushiol is a oily resin and not a watery liquid, it evaporates and you can linger for several years.
Use a mild soap and rinse with cold water or cooling the resin. Do not use hot water because it opens your skin pores and thus absorb more oil.
You might want to apply alcoholaffected area (s) with cotton balls, and then rinse with cold water. You can apply Calamine lotion, zinc oxide ointment, paste or baking powder (3 tsp. Soda 1 teaspoon. Water) in the affected area (s), or enjoy an oatmeal bath to relieve symptoms in some way.
In general, the best treatment time - the rash and itching goes away on its own in 1-2 weeks. Try your hands away from your eyes to keep your mouth and face, and scratch as little as possible, as thisrash irritating and may introduce further infection.
This article is intended for general information only and not a substitute for or against medical advice. Always consult your doctor for treatment of health conditions.
Copyright 2005 Wayne McDonald