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The Itchy Problems of Summer Poison ivy and poison oak, together, represent the single most common cause of itchy skin reactions in the United States. If you are allergic to one, you will react to the other. Approximately one-half of the adult population is clinically sensitive to poison ivy/oak. Exposure of a clinically sensitive person to poison ivy or oak results in redness, swelling, bumps, oozing, and crusting of the skin.
Reactions can be severe. Another 35% are "subclinically" sensitive; if they come into contact indiscriminately or have heavy exposure, they will get a rash. This means that only 10-15% of the population is truly immune.
One cannot rely on the old saying "leaves three, leave it be." Often leaves occur in fives, sevens, nines, etc., and their shapes are distinctive only for the region where they grow. Poison ivy tends to develop as a vine crawling up trees and plants to reach the sun, whereas poison oak has the propensity to form a shrub or small tree.
The allergic chemical, urushiol, is a light, colorless oil that courses throughout the veins just under the surface of the leaves. It is also found in the stems and roots of the plants. The oil recedes from the leaves in autumn, when they dry up before falling off, but it flows back into the stem and roots so it is still a potential booby trap for outdoorsmen in the dead of winter.
Early treatment by a dermatologist is beneficial and can minimize or eliminate the itching, swelling and oozing reactions to poison ivy or oak exposure.
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 Poison ivy appears as a vine, whereas poison oak appears as a shrub or small tree. |
Patricia A. Dickerson, MD
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1299 E. Alex-Bell Rd.
Centerville, Ohio 45458
937-436-1117
www.patriciadickersonmd.com
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