Produced by Ontario H&S Mgr File JM2006-0817

1. Bell Technical Solutions #131 Poison Ivy Pg 1 of 2 What is Poison Ivy ? Poison Ivy is a very common plant found in many parts of Ontario. It has 2 forms. One form is a low plant. It is usually found in groups of many plants and looks like weeds growing 6 to 30 inches high. The other form is a “hairy” vine that grows up a tree. Each form has stems with 3 leaves. You may have heard the old saying, “Leaflets three, let it be.” This is because most people are allergic to poison ivy. How does Poison Ivy cause a rash ? The poison ivy plant contains an oil called urushiol (say: oo-roo-shee-ohl). Most people are allergic to urushiol. If you are allergic to it and • you get it on your skin, you’ll develop an itchy, red rash. You can get the oil on your skin by: • Direct contact – touching the sap of the toxic plant • Indirect contact – touching something that has come in contact with the plant eg clothing, tools, a pets fur, etc • Airborne urushiol particles, such as from burning plants that come in contact with your skin • You can get the oil on your hands while digging at the roots. Be careful while digging near the plant. What is a Poison Ivy rash like ? Once urushiol touches your skin a line or streak of rash may appear within 12 to 48 hours. Redness and swelling will follow, blisters could possibly form and you’ll experience severe itching. The rash can affect any part of your body – especially where your skin is thinnest, such as your face. The rash does not spread. Keep in mind that urushiol takes longer to absorb into thicker skin such as the forearms, legs and chest. The rash can often take 10 days or longer to heal. • How is Poison Ivy treated ? • If you think you have come in contact with poison ivy, follow these steps: • Wash all exposed areas with cold running water and soap as soon as possible. • Wash your clothing with a garden hose outside or in a washing machine with detergent. • Relieve the itching of mild rashes by taking cool showers and applying over-the-counter topical ointments such as calamine lotion. • Soak in a lukewarm bath with an oatmeal or baking solution • You should call your doctor if: • You have a fever of over 100 degrees • The rash covers a large areas of your body • The rash is in your eyes or mouth. • There is pus coming from the blisters • The rash does not get better after a few days. Information taken from: www.Healthy Ontario.com Produced by Ontario H&S Mgr File JM2006-0817

2. Pg 2 of 2 Poison Ivy Spring – starts out as bright red, which seems to fend off insects. Keep in mind that new leaves can always be reddish even when they sprout in mid summer. Summer – some leaves are notched and some are not. New leaves are shiny and still somewhat reddish. Older ones are duller. Fall –leaves turn all sort of colours; yellow, red, orange. You can still get itchy from it in the full Creeping Poison Ivy – it creeps along the ground, usually at the edge of the forest or the edge of a field or roadside For additional information please see www.poison-ivy.org