Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, Poison Sumac

1. Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, & Poison Sumac Caroline McCammack Spring 2008

2. Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, and Poison Sumac Plants that can cause a highly allergic reaction if one comes in contact with them All three contain the same poison This presentation will teach you about the poison, treatment options, prevention methods, where these plants are found, and how to identify them

3. Urushiol Urushiol is an oil that causes an allergic skin rash on contact. Urushiol is found in the sap of poison ivy, oak, and sumac. It is a colorless or pale yellow oil that is in all parts of the plant, including roots, stems, and leaves After about 15 minutes of exposure, the urushiol is chemically bonded to the skin and can no longer be washed off

4. Urushiol Around 15% to 20% of people are immune to urushiol and have no allergic response to it The reaction to urushiol is unique in that: Most times the allergy doesn't emerge unless you've been exposed before, but some people develop a rash after their very first exposure Over time with repeated or more concentrated exposure to Urushiol, some people can become immune while others can lose their immunity Urushiol oil can remain active for several years, so handling dead leaves or vines can still cause a reaction Urushiol can also be found in the nut shell of cashew fruit and on the skin of the mango fruit

5. The Reaction The symptoms begin with a severe itching of the skin that develops into reddish colored inflammation or non-colored bumps, and then blistering of the skin occurs

6. The Reaction The oozing fluids, released by scratching the blisters, does not spread the poison Larger amounts of exposure have an earlier onset and larger reaction, smaller amounts of exposure produce a delayed reaction.

7. The Reaction

8. If you can wash the exposed area thoroughly with soap or rubbing alcohol within 15 minutes of initial exposure you are unlikely to develop the rash After the rash has developed, treatment is based on relieving symptoms Treatment

9. TreatmentSelf-care treatments and over-the-counter medications

10. Treatment If the rash is widespread or results in a large number of blisters, your doctor may prescribe: Corticosteroids, such as prednisone Antihistamines Topical or oral steroids

11. Prevention Use commercial products that can help keep the urushiol oil from getting into your skin. �Ivy Block� is the only FDA approved product for preventing rashes for poison ivy, oak or sumac. This lotion forms a clay-like coating on the skin. The U.S. Forestry Service spray themselves with deodorant! Where protective clothing when dealing with these plants

12. Protective Clothing Long pants Long sleeves Boots Gloves Make sure all clothing overlaps to prevent exposure

13. Prevention Wash all tools, clothes, and other items that you will need to touch in the future that came in contact with the plants Where protective clothing when dealing with these plants Learn how to identify the plants and avoid contact with them If your employees could be exposed to these plants, as their employer you have a responsibility to train them in identification and treatment practices

15. Poison Ivy Habitat and Range Poison Ivy grows as a vine or shrub It grows throughout most of North America, except Newfoundland and Alaska, and is normally found in wooded areas, rocky areas, open fields and disturbed areas It can grow in a wide variety of soil types, but does not grow in desert or arid conditions It rarely grows at altitudes above 5,000 ft

16. Poison Ivy Appearance

17. Through the Seasons the Look of Poison Ivy can Change�

18. Through the Seasons the Look of Poison Ivy can Change�

20. Poison Oak Poison oak grows as a vine or a shrub (up to 3 feet tall), but never an actual tree There are two types of poison oak Western Poison Oak Found only on the Pacific Coast of North America, ranging from southern Canada to Baja California Found in damp, shady areas near running water and out of direct sunlight Atlantic poison oak Grows mostly in sandy soils in eastern parts of the United States Found growing in forest, thickets, and dry, sandy fields

21. Poison Oak Identification The leaves are divided into 3 leaflets Middle leaf has longer stem like poison ivy Leaves are scalloped, toothed, or lobed edges- generally resembling the leaves of a true oak, though the Western Poison-oak leaves will tend to be more glossy Leaflets are usually hairy

23. Poison Sumac Grows as woody shrub or small tree up to 20 feet tall Grows exclusively in very wet or flooded soils, usually in swamps and peat bogs, in the eastern United States and Canada In terms of its potential to cause a urushiol allergic reaction, poison sumac is far more dangerous than its relatives poison ivy and poison oak. According to many botanists, poison sumac is the most toxic plant species in the United States Luckily poison sumac is not very common, although non-poisonous sumacs are very common

24. Poison Sumac Leaflets are smooth No hair on leaves or stems 7-13 leaves Leaves arranged in pairs with a single leaf on the end Have small yellowish-green flowers that mature into berries resembling those of poison oak or poison ivy In early fall, leaves turn to a red-orange or russet shade

25. The End! References: Poison Ivy, Oak, & Sumac Information Center, http://poisonivy.aesir.com/view Treating Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, or Poison Sumac, http://www.drgreene.org/body.cfm?id=21&action=detail&ref=559 How Poison Ivy Works, http://science.howstuffworks.com/poison-ivy.htm