You ROO she all

A little information on poison oak, ivy, and sumac. All three contain the same oil that causes rashes in humans. The oil is called urushiol, and is pronounced you ROO she all. It makes the leaves shiny, if you have any skill at actually finding the plants before they find you. A dead plant does not mean you are safe - the oil is still there. You can get the oil off anything that has touched the plant - pets, clothes, gloves, shoes, hats, toys, other people. Do not ever burn the plants. If someone does burn some, run away fast so you don't get the smoke in your lungs. Where the smoke touches your body, you can get a horrid rash. Ask Cindy and my friend Doug. Both were almost totally covered by smoke from burning poison ivy plants. The smoke can also carry it to your lungs, which is very dangerous.

In general, poison ivy/oak/sumac is not dangerous, though. You might not enjoy it's results, but the rash will pass within usually a few weeks. Nothing need to be done unless the itching is intolerable. Treatment is usually corticosteroid creams or if the itching is really intense, cortisone pills and/or shots. I have needed all the above at some point. Almost all people are allergic to urushiol oil. Once a rash happens, sensitivity tends to increase in the future. I can attest to that! It would be more pleasant if we could develop a tolerance over time, but it's the opposite.

Here is a direct quote from a web site by the Mayo Clinic:

"Often, the rash has a linear appearance because of the way the plant brushes against your skin. But if you come into contact with a piece of clothing or pet fur that has urushiol on it, the rash may be more spread out.

The reaction usually develops 12 to 48 hours after exposure and can last up to three weeks. In severe cases, new areas of rash may break out several days or more after initial exposure. This may seem like the rash is spreading. But it's more likely due to the rate at which your skin absorbed the urushiol.

Your skin must come in direct contact with the oil from the plant in order to be affected. Spreading blister fluid from scratching doesn't spread the rash."

Normally, for me, I get a rash in five days. ST said he has had it happen in less than a full day. This time, it was longer for me. It must be severe, according to the Mayo Clinic, because it has been popping out for over a week after the initial rash appeared. My first few rashes were not very linear, but some of the later ones are. The ones in the center of my stomach are the worst, and they came out last. Normally, the first ones are the worst, and they decrease in intensity.

Because rashes and blisters can appear in new locations as secondary and tertiary sites, people believe that once they have scratched a rash, it spreads. It doesn't. The fluid in the blister is like the fluid your body produces to heal and protect itself from anything similar. Once the oil is washed off of you and your clothing, pets, whatever it got on, you are not contagious. This is why I knew I was safe for a massage - I had many showers with soap from the time I was infected until my massage.

After contact with urushiol, you can avoid a rash if you immediately wash with lots and lots of soap and water. If you cannot get to soap, use lots and lots of cold water. That might sound uncomfortable, but warm water will spread the oil. Picture putting cold water or hot water on cooking oil - same effect.

Ladies, if you squat in the woods to pee, look at what is on the ground first, lol! Ask Cindy.

I had to ask a lot of questions regarding poison ivy after I had a very bad outbreak on my right hand and wrist at one time when I was working in Children's Protective Services. Every day people touched me - the children I interviewed often hugged me, kissed me, shook my hand. Some kissed me if I didn't move fast enough. Amazingly, I never caught lice or even a cold during the years I spent around young children who were often sick (Children having untreated lice or other untreated medical conditions sometimes was a reason for CPS to go out and investigate). Their parents shook my hands, sometimes hugged me for helping them get out of a bad situation. Police, doctors, judges, attorneys, school teachers, principals, therapists, counselors - all day long, I was around people who shook my hand, hugged me, used my pens, etc - I needed to know if I could infect anyone. If so, I had a few people I wanted to go see...but my doctor assured me it was safe. Clients' dogs and cats rubbed me, plus the occasional horse or other pet.

Molly was an only beagle for a year and a half, and on occasion she went with me to see kids. She helped break the ice a few times. She was especially useful for seeing preteen and teen boys who needed to tell me about sexual abuse. I wish I could have taken her more often. It really wasn't an approved technique.

So, if you aren't already asleep, you have more information on poison ivy/oak/sumac than you probably wanted to know or ever will need to know. We hear stories about spreading poison ivy, or that poison oak is worse, or other urban tales.

It is best, truly, not to scratch it. Scratching can cause a secondary infection from germs under your nails and then of course cannot heal as fast. I have actually taught myself to believe I am itching elsewhere. It is hard to explain, but I do not ever scratch a rash or bite. I rarely will scratch anything unless I look first - it really burns to scratch poison ivy, spider bites, or shingles. Especially shingles. I had that when I was 23 years old.

Enjoy the outdoors, and try to remember, "leaves of three, let them be."

Or: If ST has been in the woods, send him to the shower and don't touch his clothes.