BY: LYNDSAY GOODMAN

Poison Ivy

What is poison ivy?

Description: Poison Ivy is an allergic reaction to a plant. This reaction causes small, itchy bumps to appear on your arm. A temporary, irritating rash may appear.

Scientific Description: This allergic reaction causes small urticaria hives to appear on your arm. Urticaria hives cause a stinging/burning sensation and are a result of an allergic reaction.

How do I know that have poison ivy?

Some signs that you have poison ivy include, but are not limited to Itchy skin Redness or red streaks Hives Swelling Outbreak of small or large blisters forming lines Crusting skin (after blisters burst)

In severe cases, a fever may occur.

What causes this?

Poison ivy is caused by a sensitivity to an oily rein called urushiol which is found in the leaves, stems, and roots of poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac.

Urushiol is very sticky and will stick to clothing, pets fur, tools, and other things.

How can I get rid of poison ivy?

Most cases can be cured with calamine lotion that you can find in most drug stores.

Cold showers are also very effective when you have large areas of your body that are infected.

With a doctors consent, antihistamines may also help relieve hives associated with the rash.

3 facts about poison ivy

85% of people in the United States are allergic to poison ivy.

Outdoor occupations and hobbies (farming, landscapers, fire fighters, gardeners, construction workers, and more) have a higher risk of developing the disease.

Poison ivy grows everywhere in the US except the far west, deserts and at high altitude.

Worst Case Scenario

Not many poison ivy cases get very bad. Usually the worst cases get reported to a doctor and they often suggest using steroid cream.

Steroid cream kills the infected cells so that new cells will grow.

Poison ivy occasionally requires hospitalization, and steroid creams and similar remedies are prescribed.

Picture Sources

https://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&q=poison%20ivy%20rash&revid=668663718&ei=aLM1VNq8GYOryAT2zYCQCg&ved=0CCEQsSU&biw=708&bih=704

https://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&q=minor%20poison%20ivy%20rash&revid=2035168625&ei=gbM1VLSeLYT0yATVnIC4BQ&ved=0CCEQsSU&biw=708&bih=704

https://www.google.com/search?q=poison+ivy&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=J7A1VJKgLsOmyATv74HIAQ&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=1280&bih=709#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=-11GEEiB6useJM%253A%3BO0dzJGJdLkYFeM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fkidshealth.org%252Fkid%252Fill_injure%252Faches%252Fimages_98832%252F1089914913017.PoisonIvy1.gif%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fkidshealth.org%252Fkid%252Fill_injure%252Faches%252Fpoison_ivy.html%3B425%3B202

http://www.corbamtb.com/resources/poisonoak.shtml