Poisonous Plant Tip: Think Quick To Avoid The Itch
What are the chances that employees working in and around wooded areas and in heavy foliage will find themselves itching? Approximately 90 percent of Americans are allergic to poison ivy, oak and sumac, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
The Poison In Poison Ivy, Oak And Sumac
The cause of the rash, blisters and infamous itch from contact with poison
ivy, oak and sumac is from the exposure to a chemical known as urushiol oil.
Touching a plant isn’t the only way you can come in contact with urushiol.
It can stick to tools, shoes, clothing or anything, and just touching these
items can cause a reaction in a susceptible person.
Quick Action Is The Best Remedy
Because urushiol penetrates the skin within minutes, there is no time to
waste if workers are exposed. If possible, they should stay outdoors and
cleanse exposed skin with generous amounts of soap and water or rubbing
alcohol. (Don’t allow them to return to the woods or yard the same day
because cleaning the skin removes the skin’s protection along with the
urushiol and any new contact will cause the urushiol to penetrate twice as
fast.) If they cleaned themselves with alcohol, they should also rinse their
skin with water of any temperature.
Clothes, shoes, tools and anything else that may have been in contact with the urushiol should be washed with soap and water or alcohol. Gloves or other hand coverings used while doing this should be discarded. Remember about 15 percent of the 120 million Americans who are allergic to poison ivy, oak, and sumac are so highly sensitive to the plants that they break out in a rash and begin to swell in four to 12 hours instead of the normal 24 to 48. Their eyes may swell shut and blisters may erupt on their skin. This is an emergency. Get them to a hospital as soon as possible or call 911.
[Information noted is courtesy of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.]
