Poison Ivy

Poison Ivy in Ohio can grow as a low creeping vine, a climbing vine, or as a small erect shrub. The best way to prevent an allergic reaction to poison ivy is to avoid contact with the plant or anything that has been in contact with the plant (shoes, tools, pets).

Poison Ivy has compound leaves with 3 leaflets. The two lower leaflets attach to the long petiole (main stem) with with very shot stalks. The unique diagnostic features of the leaves are found on the lower leaflets. The outside edges may have large teeth or just wavy edges. The inside edges are always smoother than the outside. (See drawing)

The vine of Poison Ivy has many aerial rootlets that give it a hairy appearance.

Poison Ivy

Poison Ivy thrives in the transition zone from open fields to forested areas. Therefore, our highly prized wooded campsites in Findley State Park provide superb habitat for poison ivy.

Most people are allergic to a substance called urushiol produced by the plant. Urushiol is is a nearly colorless, very sticky, oily chemical found in all parts of the poison ivy plant. Leaves, stems, vines, and roots all contain urushiol.

Never burn poison ivy because the urushiol will be carried in the smoke and if inhaled, can cause a life threatening reaction in the respiratory system.

If you come in contact with poison ivy you can lessen the chance of an allergic reaction by:

1. Washing with soap and cool water. Use cool water because urushiol is an oil and warm water will help to spread oil. Warm water also opens the pores of your skin, giving the urushiol more places to cling to your body.

2. Most soaps will work, but soaps made for removing grease and oils work best. Dish soaps and shampoos seem to work very well.

3. It is very important to let the soap stay on the skin long enough for the soap to bind to the urushiol. Up to 2 minutes, which is a long time to stand around with soap dripping off of you.

4. Rinse off and use a wet cloth for friction. Urushiol is sticky like dirty axle grease. You have to rub to get the stuff off.

If you do develop a rash from poison ivy, there are several products sold over the counter, some pink and some clear, that will help relieve the itch. In severe cases seek medical help.

If you develop a rash that will not go away or keeps spreading, most likely, you are reapplying more urushiol. Wash affected pets, tools, toys, and clothing - including shoes.

Fun Fact:Urushiol gets it's name from the Japanese word URUSHI meaning lacquer. The Asian lacquer

tree contains urushiol. The sap from this tree has been used for centuries to produce lacquer-ware goods. Under the proper conditions, urushiol will polymerize into a hard protective coating.