When playing outside, or wherever you are outdoors, its important to avoid coming in contact with a poison ivy plant. Learn ways to identify this plant so that you can avoid it should you see it. If you come in contact you can develop a rash or even blisters. Most people will be immune to this plant, however avoiding it is better than trying to see if you are immune or not.

You have probably heard the phrase 'Leaves of three, let it be.' Yes the poison ivy plant comes in leaves of three, but not all plants with three leaves together are poison ivy. Things to look for, in order to identify the plant are: in a poison ivy, the 3 leaves are divided, with the middle leave being longer and on its own longer stalk. You will also notice an erect shrub or climbing vine. If you see plants like this and suspect it could be a poison, ivy then stay away from it and do not come in contact with it.

Do not try to take out the plant especially not with a weed eater. Doing so will cause the oils from the plant to get on your clothes or legs and even shoes. This oil is what contains the toxins that leave you with rashes and blisters. Trying to burn the plant will also have the oils being carried away with the smoke, causing you to come in contact with it. Best method out there is to spray it with herbicide. Be careful not to spray a lot, as the liquid can drip out of the leafs.

If you do come into contact with this plant, remove any article of clothing you were wearing including your shoes. Next you should rub alcohol on the skin that came in contact with it. Rinsing with cold water should immediately follow. Avoid rinsing with hot water, as this will open up your pores, and permitting the oil to get into your skin. Do not wash with soap until after you have rinsed off, you do not want the oil to get onto the soap, thus leaving you spreading the poison onto the rest of your body. Carefully wash your fingernails to get rid of any of it that might of gotten under there. If you wash properly within the first 5-10 minutes, chances are you will avoid a rash.

The oils of the poison ivy plant can remain on your clothing for even a year. Make sure you wash all your clothes you were wearing that day thoroughly. Also wash everything that came in contact with the plant including your pets.

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You should keep look for any symptoms of a rash. Your skin will be red and will be itchy. Those red areas will then turn into bumps and could also create blisters.

To treat a rash, you can take cold showers and also apply cold compresses. Rubbing ice cubes on the affected area can also give temporarily relief. Applying topical liquids or lotions on the rashes can bring relief as well. A rash will typically last about a week and last up to three weeks.

Do not assume that if you came in contact with a poison ivy plant, and you were immune, that you will always be immune. Your body changes throughout years and you can lose immunity each time you come in contact. Learn to recognize the plant and eliminate it. Always avoid it!

Searching all over for ways to avoid and treat poison ivy? Get the ultimate inside skinny on top Poison Ivy Cures in our Cure for Poison Ivy guide.

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