Close Encounters with Poisonous Plants

Seventy five percent of people are potentially allergic to poison ivy.  You can get it from clothing that has the oil on it, or from pets that have rubbed against it or even from the smoke of its burning leaves.  You can get it when you’re weeding the garden, or walking in the woods, but you can’t get it from somebody else’s blisters.

The best way not to get it is by wearing protective clothing when you suspect it might be where you’re going, e.g. socks, gloves, long pants and long sleeves. It's also smart to take a few minutes to check out what the plants look like, (as well as poison oak and poison sumac), before you set out. Removing and washing the clothing worn when exposed to poison plants as soon as possible further reduces your exposure to the oils.

If you suspect or are certain you have come in contact with poison ivy or other poison plants, you can reduce or eliminate the reaction by removing the clothes worn and washing your skin thoroughly with soap and water within twenty minutes of exposure.  This is the time it takes for the oils to bind to the skin and begin the allergic response.

While an immunization for poison ivy is available it has not yet proven effective in preventing the allergic reaction.

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