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Poison Ivy Season

by KXMB TV, Kate Schell

Posted on 7/2/2010

Poison Ivy

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Three, light green leaves-they’re a few of the least welcoming signs of summer

Poison ivy is easy to catch, and for many people, not enjoyable to deal it.

Reporter Kate Schell has explains how you can protect yourself from contracting the itchy rash.

A picture perfect day not just for those looking to enjoy the sunshine, but also for these poison ivy plants

Greg Smith C.P.R.P/Park Operations Manage says, “In a summer such as this with lots of rain lots of heat, the growing season is at its peak right now for these plants. They are enjoying it much to our misfortunate.” Oil in poison ivy plants is what causes a rash on human skin. It usually forms in a linear pattern and gets very itchy. Those allergic to the oil, will also see raised, red bumps-but if they’re quick enough, they won’t see anything.

Dr. Robert Bathurst/St. Alexius ER Physician states, “You have about 15 minutes from the time you get into the poison ivy, to wash it with hot, soapy water and that will detoxify the oil.” But, if you didn’t catch it in those 15 minutes, St. Alexius’s ER Physician Dr. Robert Bathurst says the rash will most likely appear two days later.

Bathurst says, “About 70 percent of the population is allergic to poison ivy. The other 30 percent get in to it and don’t even know they’ve been there and they don’t rash and they are doing the same thing everybody else is and they just don’t get the rash.” Some areas of the walking trail down by the river has poison ivy growing along side it, despite the efforts to eliminate the pesky weed.

Park Operations Manager Greg Smith says stay on the trails in those areas and keep your pets tight leashed-because they can transfer the oil to you

Smith says, “It appears to be a growing year for poison ivy and we will be keeping particular eye peeled for that, looking for it as it encroaches near the trail, try to control it. We will not eradicate every poison ivy plant there is, so again the trail users need to take personal responsibility for their safety while using the trails.” Dr. Bathurst says poison ivy will go away on its own about a week after the rash develops. He says you can use Benadryl and Caladryl to try and stop the itch, but those medicines will not treat the rash, it just has to run its course.

There is also a vaccine for those people severely allergic to poison ivy.

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