The Sun Isn’t the Only Thing to Fear in the Summer

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Poison Ivy

Poison Oak

As the days of summer draw to a close many of you may venture out into your local wilderness for that last epic hike or camping trip before the cooling winds of fall set in. Regrettably, it’s on these carefree, “summer’s end” endeavors that you’re most likely to forget about the perpetual nuisances of poison oak and poison ivy.

For those of you who are unaware, poison ivy and poison oak are two of the biggest problems for lovers of the outdoors. While you’ll likely only encounter one or the other depending on your geographic location (if you’re on the east coast beware of ivy, west coast oak) both plants have a similar effect on the human body.

When coming into contact with either poison-ivy or poison-oak, 75-85% of the population will develop a reaction called “contact dermatitis” in which a red rash appears on the skin. The rash is triggered by a resin found on both the plants called urushiol. The irritation doesn’t appear immediately, but rather develops 24-48 hours after contact. Initially only red lines will emerge on the afflicted area, however, itchy red bumps will become visible soon thereafter, plaguing the exposed regions from anywhere between 14 and 21 days.

If an unfortunate encounter with either poison oak or ivy does occur, RELAX, there are measures to take in an effort to minimize the ill effects. First and foremost, washing with soap and COLD water can remove much if not all of the resin. Be aware, however, that time IS very much a factor. Only 50% of the resin can be removed after 10 minutes and as little as 30% after a half an hour. Once the rash has set in, topical and oral anti-histamines (like Benadryl) can be utilized to minimize the itching, but these treatments do not shorten the timetable for recovery. In SEVERE cases when the rash is rampant or has developed on the face, a doctor can prescribe oral steroids which can trigger rapid improvement to the afflicted regions.

Common Oak/Ivy Rash

Overall, prevention is the best method for dealing with these troublesome plants and, fortunately, both poison ivy and oak have characteristics that make them readily identifiable in the wild (so keep your eyes peeled!!!). If you’ve ever heard the phrase “leaves of three, let them be” then you’re already on the right track. The leaves of poison ivy and poison oak are divided into three leaflets, making them somewhat unique amidst the surrounding foliage. The serrated leaves of poison oak actually resemble the leaves of a true oak, ranging in color from bright green in the spring to bright red in the fall. The leaves of the ivy do not actually resemble traditional English Ivy, but the plant grows in much the same way, spreading with vines in a virulent fashion to overtake surrounding vegetation. During spring, the ivy leaves have a slight reddish hue, turning to a vibrant green in the summer and then to a deep reddish-orange pigment in the fall.

Remember!!!—if you’re not comfortable identifying these plants in the wild, do the same think you’d do if you didn’t trust your sunscreen—SWITCH TO KINeSYS!!!—just kidding, wear long sleeved shirts and pants. That way the resin will never actually come into contact with your skin.

Take Care, The KINeSYS Team