Poison Ivy

Poison Ivy is a common poisonous plant found throughout the United States.  If you are a camper or hiker you have likely run into this plant on more than one occasion.  Poison Ivy is not hard to identify even though it does have some resemblance to other no poisonous plants.

The Poison Ivy plant will generally have three leaves.  The leaves are jagged with somewhat sharp points.  The leaves are a light green to dark green color and will sometimes have red coloring towards the stems.

About 10% of the population has an allergy to the oil found on Poison Ivy.  These people will get a rash from the slightest brush of the plant.  In as little as a few hours or up to a week later, the skin will begin to itch and there will be small red bumps or in severe cases large puss filled blisters.

In less severe cases normally you will just have to wait out the reaction.  Using several types of cream can help with the itching.  Contrary to popular belief, scratching doesn't normally spread the rash.  If you still have oil on your fingers or body it could spread the rash, but the rash itself and the liquid inside the rash can not spread.