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Know what the plants look like, and avoid them.

Poison Ivy (Pictures)

• Glossy green leaves in groups of three
• May have various leaf shapes
• Grows as a vine or low shrub
• May have yellow-green flowers
• Greenish-white berries with distinctive peeled orange-like markings

Poison Oak (Pictures)

• More shrub-like than poison ivy
• Leaves similar to oak leaves
• Underside of leaf always lighter green and covered with hair
• Hanging clusters of greenish or creamy white berries

Poison Sumac (Pictures)

• Located in uninhabited areas – swampy places
• Small tree five to six feet tall
• Seven to 13 leaflets arranged in pairs, with a single leaflet in the end of the midrib
• Elongated leaves with smooth edges
• Clusters of green berries

Symptoms

After initial contact, a rash normally appears between 12 - 48 hours. Skin first appears red, and then bumps and blisters appear. The rash will itch and swell. At its peak, the blisters break and ooze. Sores then begin to crust over and eventually disappear. The rash is at its worst around five days, and gradually improves over one to two weeks.

Causes

Urushiol is the chemical in these plants that causes the allergic reaction with the skin. It is transferred by rubbing or crushing the plant. It can also be carried by smoke from burning poison sumac, which can affect the lungs, throat and nasal passages, along with the skin.

Treatment

It’s often easy to treat poison ivy, oak, or sumac at home. First, wash the infected area thoroughly with soap and water. If washed within five minutes of exposure, symptoms should not occur. Washing the area five minutes after contact will help prevent spreading to other areas of the body or to other people. A clean stream of water in the woods is an effective substitute to soap and water.

If symptoms do appear, a wet, cold compress of water or Burows solution (liquid aluminum acetate) can help reduce inflammation. Calamine lotion, cool showers or lukewarm baths with oatmeal or baking soda help dry the sores and relieve itching and inflammation.

Prevention

The best prevention is avoidance! Learn what the plants look like and remember, "Leaves of three, let them be." Wear long sleeves, pants, or gloves if you are in an area that may contain these plants. Pets that may have been in contact with the plants should be bathed.

When should you see the doctor?

If the rash is severe, on the face, genitals, or covers more than 20 percent of the body, see your primary care physician immediately.

Dr. Keith Melvin is an internal medicine physician with  Alliance Primary Care, 3131 Harvey Avenue.  Dr. Melvin is currently accepting new patients. Please call 513-585-9500 for an appointment.

Alliance Primary Care is Greater Cincinnati’s largest primary care physician group, with more than 120 practitioners in more than 25 locations.  If you are searching for a physician, click here or call 1-888-749-DrDr.