POISON IVY, POISON OAK, POISON SUMAC

POISON IVY, POISON OAK, POISON SUMAC
    Complex chemical agents in certain plants are capable of producing acute dermatitis in sensitized individuals, Poison ivy, poison oak, or sumac's blistery rash is a result of coming in contact with the plant itself, or handling the clothing of someone who has been in contact with it. Some people are more sensitive to the oily plant juices than others. Many substances other than poison oak, poison ivy, or sumac cause this acute reaction, including ragweed and primrose. Shoe dyes, formaldehyde in clothing, penicillin, sulfonamides, neomycin, anesthetics, food stabilizers and cosmetics can also produce severe dermatitis.

    When out of doors, be aware of these three plants. Poison ivy appears as a plant, bush or vine and has three shiny leaves on each stem. The leaves turn red in the fall. In late summer, it has white flowers or cream-colored berries. Even in winter when the leaves have dropped, the plant can still be quite toxic.
    Poison oak is commonly found in sandy soil and pinewoods along both the West and East Coasts. Poison oak has shiny green oak-like leaves clustered in groups of 3 or 5.
    Poison sumac has the same characteristics of the two preceding plants. It is a short shrub or small tree having smooth gray bark and branches with 7 to 13 dull green leaflets. The leaves turn yellow in autumn. White berries distinguish it from the harmless sumacs. The poison variety predominantly grows in swampy areas or along streams.
    *Immediate removal of the affecting agent is necessary for any treatment to be effective. Immediately wash the area thoroughly with Antibacterial Liquid Soap and warm water. Pat (don't rub) dry. Apply Triple Antibiotic Ointment and cover with a loose gauze bandage three times each day until resolved. If the rash or blistering has appeared before treatment can be started, soak gauze in cool Melaleuca Herbal Tea and cover the affected area. Re-soak the gauze and apply every 15 minutes until the pain subsides. Apply Triple Antibiotic Ointment three times each day until resolved. Draining the blisters can be done, but do not remove the covering skin. If pain . does not reduce, apply Pain-A-Trate. Contact your health care provider, especially if improvement is not seen after four days.
    Another solution would be to try DermaCort. It is designed to take the sting out of poison ivy, oak and sumac, as well as hives and rashes. This unique formula includes pharmacist-recommended hydrocortisone for itch relief plus the naturally soothing Melaleuca oil.