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Allergic reaction to the poison ivy plant. Indoor ivy: is it possible to keep at home, signs. Growing ivy at home, photo What kind of plant is this

Poison ivy ( Rhus radicans), mostly found in North America. similar plant, poison oak ( Toxicodendron diversilobum), mostly found in northwestern and northeastern America. Both plants contain urushiol oil, to which nearly half the population of the United States is allergic. The oil is transmitted by touch or inhalation of smoke when such a plant is on fire. By learning to recognize this plant, you can avoid encounters with it.

Steps

Part 1

Recognize character traits plants

Find a plant. Poison ivy and oak can be found everywhere - forests, fields, your own garden, wastelands. It all depends on where you live. These plants especially like to grow along fences and stone walls, they like to grow in secluded corners of the forest, fields, as well as in sunny places.

• Poison ivy is climbing plant, which can grow as a shrub or a single plant. If a plant has sprouted in a mountainous area, it often wraps itself around other plants. If the plant sprouted near a tree or a fence, it will wrap itself around and grow into hedge through which it is not so easy to get through.

1. "Did you see the triple leaves? Don't touch them!" or ""One two three? Take your hands off"", these sayings appeared because these plants have three leaves at the end of a long stem. You can recognize a plant by its leaves by the following features:

2. Look at the berries. If the plant has berries, then the following signs will tell you that it is ivy:

   • Both plants have translucent berries.
   • Poison oak berries are usually hairy
   • Poison ivy berries are white or cream
   • Berries remain on plants all winter and spring.

3. Don't forget that even when poison ivy or oak change their color, they still remain poisonous. Although the color changes, urushiol oil still remains in the leaves.

   Part 2

   Pinpoint poison ivy and oak on the outing and elsewhere

   Part 3

   Additional points to watch out for
   • Teach your children not to touch plants they don't know while walking. This is how you should behave in nature. This is especially important in winter when there are no leaves to tell.
   • If you are allergic to these plants, learn to recognize them. An acute attack of an allergic reaction can cause serious harm to health. Until you can immediately recognize the plant, carry a photo of it with you.
   • Carry Technu soap or other specialty soap with you and use it right away if you have a flare-up.
   • If the rash still goes, try to keep it in the air as long as possible. Fresh air speeds up healing.
   • After the walk, gently wash all exposed skin. Before touching your body with your hands, wash them first. Wash in warm water with soap. Regular hard soap won't help. You can use liquid dish detergent. To wash off poison ivy oil, apply a cleanser and rinse thoroughly.
   • If you've stepped into poison ivy, change your shoe laces. Oil can remain on the laces and continue to cause irritation.
   • Within two or three days after possible contact, see if a rash appears. If it does, start treating it immediately. To do this, read the article on how to treat irritation from poison ivy and oak.
   • You can also get infected or have an allergic reaction from outdoor cats.
   • Keep an eye on your dog when you let it off the leash. Allergies to oil, on poison ivy leaves, are not limited to humans. You may not notice it on the dog's skin, which is hidden under the coat: check his stomach. Feed your dog carefully so that particles of oil from it do not get on your skin. If you think your dog may be allergic, bathe him thoroughly. To avoid all these problems, when walking with a dog in the woods or thickets, keep it on a leash. Just like you do when walking your dog in public place. It will be polite to other people!
   • These plants can also be found in Bermuda and the Bahamas.

   Warnings

   • Never burn poison ivy to get rid of it. The oil on the leaves will burn, you will inhale the smoke and there is a chance that it will get into your throat and lungs, making breathing painful and difficult.
   • Poison ivy can get mixed up with wild grapes, so never just walk through wild grapes or the consequences can be severe. Keep in mind that it is very easy to confuse poison ivy with wild grapes. Even though wild grapes cinquefoil, it is still easily confused with poison ivy.

   What will you need

   • a photograph or picture that you will carry with you to identify the plant. You can easily store photos on your smartphone or other device.
   • When walking in nature, hiking or climbing, first aid is very important for a rash from contact with poisonous plants.
   • Degreaser, such as dishwashing detergent or special soap for poisonous plants (not ordinary soap)

Poison ivy, oak and sumac are the cause of contact dermatitis, an allergic reaction that occurs when the allergen comes into direct contact with the skin. This condition can be quite unpleasant, but does not pose a serious health risk. More than half of the population reacts to ivy resin if they are exposed to it.

Poison ivy- one of the many plants that produce urushiol, which can cause allergic rashes. Such plants include poison oak and sumac that grow in different geographical areas. All three plants cause the same rash. In addition, urushiol can be found in mangoes and cashews. In the case of mangoes, peeling the fruit avoids dermatitis. People who consume this fruit with the skin on, touching it on the skin, may develop serious allergic reactions, usually around the mouth.

While people are encouraged to learn to recognize these poisonous plants, this is difficult to do in practice, as poison ivy and its varieties are often mixed with other vegetation and become invisible and only discovered after the rash has begun. In situations where exposure to poison ivy is difficult to avoid, covering the skin with some kind of covering (clothing) is the best way prevent this problem.

CAUSES

Contact with poison ivy, oak, and sumac causes a rash (contact dermatitis). The rash is caused by the action of the plant's oil. This oil is an allergen, so the rash is an allergic reaction. Allergy to these plants does not manifest until contact with their oils. Contact with oils can be both direct and indirect, through clothing, inventory and objects.

IN normal condition The immune system defends the body against viruses and bacteria by producing antibodies. During an allergic reaction, the immune system overreacts and begins to fight harmless substances that seem to attack the body. This overreaction affects the skin, nose, lungs, digestive organs, and circulatory system. As a result of contact with poison ivy, oak or sumac, the reaction manifests itself in the form of a rash.

• Leaves, twigs, fruits and roots of these plants contain an oil that does not disappear even after the plant dries.
• The oil is odorless and colorless and spreads easily throughout the body.
• A rash can occur even with indirect contact with the oil. Such contact can occur if you touch clothing, animal fur, sports equipment, garden tools, or other objects that have been near the plant.

An allergic reaction is not an inborn reaction. It only manifests itself upon contact with them. If you have touched one of the plants one or more times, the body's immune system may recognize the oil as an allergen and an allergic reaction is possible. You may be more or less sensitive to these plants. In a more sensitive person, an allergic reaction may develop even to a small amount of the allergen and will be more severe.

SYMPTOMS

A rash from poison ivy exposure usually begins one or two days after exposure, although it can take up to several days from exposure to the onset of a rash.

The first manifestations of the rash appear at the folds in the form of redness, itching, swelling and pustules. They continue to appear for several days, depending on how much resin has been exposed to the area of ​​skin. The rash appears to be "spreading", the fluid in the blisters is only part of the allergic reaction and does not contain any chemicals or bacteria. Also, ivy poison persists on clothing and on pets. Repeated washing often produces no improvement.

The main symptoms of poison ivy, oak and sumac allergies are:

• Red streaks or redness in the contact area,
• small blisters or swelling (urticaria)
• Blisters that contain fluid that can seep out. In some cases, the blisters may contain blood and may darken.

The rash may have several stages, and the severity of its severity may also vary. It usually appears 8-48 hours after contact with the plant. But it can appear in 15 days. The rash appears in new places within a few days, but only where there has been contact with the plant. The fluid that leaks from the blisters does not spread the rash. Parts of the body that have rougher skin are less sensitive to oil.

People who are more sensitive to the plant may develop symptoms that require medication. These symptoms include:

• Swelling of the face, mouth, neck, genitals and eyelids.
• A large number of blisters that secrete fluid.

Other plants can cause a rash that is similar to an allergic reaction to poison ivy, oak, and sumac. Among these plants are:

• Ginkgo tree, which contains similar oils.
• Stinging nettle. This rash is not an allergic reaction.

• Scabies, itchy skin that is caused by mites.
• Shingles, a viral infection of the skin.
• Impetigo, a bacterial infection of the skin.

A similar skin reaction can be caused by an insect bite, contact with nickel and other metals, chemicals found in fabrics, lotions and detergents.

Sensitivity to poison ivy, oak and sumac and the severity of the reaction depends on the age of the person and the duration of contact with the plant. Other factors include physical activity and work immune system. Some studies have shown that the tendency to allergies depends on heredity.

Consequences

At healthy people complications of such a reaction, as a rule, do not occur.

• In people prone to an acute allergic reaction, the rash can cover the entire body.
• Scratching the rash can cause skin lightening or a bacterial infection.
• The rash may recur if treatment is stopped too quickly or if the medication is not strong enough.
• In rare cases, kidney problems (nephrotic syndrome) may occur. This can happen during any acute allergic reaction, not just plants.

TREATMENT

The rash is usually mild and can be treated at home. Such treatment usually relieves symptoms but does not speed up the healing process.

• If you know you have come into contact with one of these plants, wash the area of ​​contact. Sometimes the rash may disappear completely after washing with plenty of water 10-15 minutes after contact. You can also use a product that is designed to remove oil from the skin.
• To relieve itching and dry out blisters, apply a compress or wet the rash with cold water. Antihistamine tablets or calamine lotion can help relieve symptoms.
• If you have a moderate or severe reaction, you may need to see a doctor. He may prescribe corticosteroid tablets. These medicines will help get rid of the rash more quickly. Creams, ointments and gels can also be used, but tablets are more effective.

However, since infections are a common complication of the rash, it is best to see a doctor. To avoid infection, try not to scratch the rash and keep your nails short to minimize the possibility of skin damage and the spread of bacteria.

PREVENTION

Only the oil of the plant can cause a rash, so it is best to avoid contact with it.

• Learn to recognize these plants, especially those that grow near your home. Their appearance may differ depending on the season and environment.
• Although the species of the plant changes, the amount of oils in it remains the same throughout the year, even in winter when the plant has bare branches. Dark spots on the plant can help identify it (oil turns dark when exposed to air). Both living and dead plants contain oil, but in dry leaves it is in small quantities.
• You can remove the plant if possible. Never touch the plant without gloves.
• If you cannot avoid contact with the plant, wear clothing that covers your body as much as possible. It is necessary to carefully handle and carefully wash clothes and objects that were near the plant.
• If you are often in an area where such plants grow, you can purchase a special product that removes oils from the skin.
• Protective creams and lotions can help avoid contact with the oil and reduce the severity of the reaction. These creams are different in their action and are not always effective.

If you suspect you have touched poison ivy, oak, or sumac, wash the contact area immediately. In most cases, the oil is absorbed into the skin within 30 minutes. You should also wash your clothes immediately. Contaminated areas must be wiped with alcohol.

Poison ivy is a climbing plant with beautiful foliage and white berries. In autumn, ivy leaves change color from green to bright yellow-red. It was his beautiful view makes people touch to this unsafe and poisonous plant.

plant description

Poison ivy or Toxicodendron belongs to the genus of trees, a species of shrubby climbing plants and belongs to the Sumach family.

There are three types of this family:

• poison ivy;
• poison oak;
• lacquer tree.

wild ivy reminds me of a liana, he wraps around standing trees or crawl on the ground. Young shoots of this plant may not have foliage, or are found covered with hairs. Its leaves are diamond-shaped, and an ovoid shape is also found in the leaves. Collected leaves in a shamrock, usually have light green color. The lower surface of the leaf is covered with hairs, somewhat resembling small needles, the upper surface is smooth and shiny.

The leaf length is generally 10 to 14 centimeters. Its flowers are small, collected in small inflorescences, yellow-green in color. Berries are small white color With large bone(drupes). Wild ivy blooms in June-July, and in early October, berries ripen, somewhat similar to small balls. In sunny areas, it looks more like a shrub, and in shady places wraps around a nearby tree like a liana.

Where does poison ivy grow?

Poison ivy is found everywhere, and in North America, and especially often in its eastern part. On the territory of Russia from the genus Sumakhov, only two species grow, which are found in the South Kuriles. There it is a tree with a height of two to eight meters with a thin trunk. He also has compound pinnate leaves, which are collected at the top of the plant. Because of this, wild ivy in appearance has some resemblance to a palm tree.

Why is poison ivy dangerous?

Toxicodendron contains a milky sap, this sap oxidizes and turns black when exposed to air. The milky juice is very poisonous and in contact with it a person can get a severe burn, with blisters. The bark of this plant also contains poisonous substances such as lobitin, phenolic compounds and glycosides. Absolutely all parts of this plant are poisonous, from the stem to the berries, but despite this they make medications. Back in the 18th century, homeopathic doctors with the help of poison ivy tincture treated diseases such as influenza, rheumatism and, oddly enough, skin diseases.

Poisoning can be expressed not only in the defeat of burns of the skin, but even with severe metabolic disorders. Interesting fact, but not all people get burned after touching this shrub. Approximately three people out of ten, there is no allergic reaction to poison ivy sap.

Wild ivy can cause not only burns on the skin, but also be food poisoning culprit, in case of contact with leaves, berries or parts of plants in food. Even a dead plant retains its poisonous properties for a few more days.

Symptoms of wild ivy poisoning

First of all, poisoning manifests itself in the form of a rash on the skin, which has a vesicular type. Subsequently, inflammation skin. The burn from contact does not appear immediately, but after about seven days. Symptoms of poisoning take a long time to pass, they can manifest themselves for a month. The poison of a plant that has fallen on human skin, fortunately, will not spread to other parts of the body.

The toxins that this shrub contains can lead to mucosal damage gastrointestinal tract, which can cause inflammation of the stomach and even intestines. It is not recommended to burn wild ivy, when burning, toxic substances can get into Airways and cause irritation of the mucous membranes of the throat, as well as the appearance of a dangerous rash in the lungs, and cause severe inflammation of the respiratory tract. In some cases, poisoning can lead to anaphylactic shock.

Treatment for wild ivy poisoning

The main methods of treating poisoning are:

• wash hands thoroughly with soap;
• the use of antihistamines;
• application of ointments for burns.

Treatment of poisoning should first of all begin in order to reduce itching on the skin. To do this, it is necessary to wash the burn as soon as possible. detergent or use soap. Washing damaged areas of the skin with soap is mandatory because the substances that cause burns simply do not dissolve with water, which means they will not be washed off the victim's skin. It is also advisable to use ointments and creams containing antihistamines. You can also use burn creams that cool the skin.

Blisters formed during burns should not be pierced, this can lead to infection of the wound, as well as the contact of tight and pressing clothing with the burn site is unacceptable. If the blister has burst, and there is a possibility of damage to the wound by clothing, the wound must be wrapped with a sterile bandage. To avoid joining secondary bacterial infection the use of antibiotics cannot be ruled out. When feeling unwell, pain or discomfort in the throat, lungs or stomach, seek immediate medical attention.

Poison ivy is a plant with which it is better to avoid direct contact, otherwise an allergic reaction will not be slow to manifest itself. It does not pose a serious threat to health, but a person experiences a rather unpleasant condition. Contact with ivy causes on any part of the skin. Moreover, rashes can appear even if you touch an object that was near this plant, be it garden tools, work clothes or animal hair.

Recognizing poison ivy is very difficult, since its varieties often resemble other plants, and only after the appearance of a rash can one assume that there was contact with it. It is best to first protect yourself with closed clothing in cases where you have to deal with unfamiliar vegetation.

Rashes on the skin are provoked by the oil contained in this It is a strong allergen. An allergic reaction does not occur on the ivy itself, but as soon as contact with the oil has occurred, even through other objects, its manifestation will be inevitable. What is most remarkable is that poison ivy is a plant that continues to keep this secret even after the fruits, twigs, leaves and roots have dried. It is odorless and colorless and easily spreads throughout the body.

Usually the rash begins to appear one to two days after contact with the pathogen, but sometimes it can occur even after a longer time. appear in the form of redness, itching, swelling, small blisters. They cover the skin gradually over several days. It all depends on the amount of the substance acting on the affected area. Sometimes the blisters contain blood or become dark in color.

There are several stages of the appearance of a rash. The degree of its sharpness is also different. It can occur in two weeks, but only in places of direct contact with the plant. The fluid flowing out of the blisters does not contribute to their reappearance. Poison ivy is most likely to affect people with more sensitive skin. It can cause swelling of the face, eyelids, neck, genitals. Sometimes you have to resort to drug treatment.

The severity of the manifestation of an allergic reaction is greatly influenced by the person's age and the duration of contact with a poisonous plant. Scratching the affected areas can cause a bacterial infection. The rash continues to spread if the treatment is not completed or the drugs are not effective enough.

The rashes that poison ivy provokes are mostly mild, and some treatment can be tried at home. But usually this ends only with the removal of the symptom, and the treatment process is not accelerated.

As already mentioned, the appearance unpleasant consequences only the oil contained in the plant contributes, so you should try to avoid contact with it. It is also useful to learn to recognize poisonous specimens, especially those growing in the immediate vicinity of housing. Appearance their varies depending on the time of year and habitat.

But regardless of the modification of the plant, the amount of oil in it does not change throughout the year, even in winter time when the branches are completely bare. On contact with air, it darkens, so the presence of such dark spots can help to recognize the danger. If possible, the ivy should be removed, but at the same time it is necessary to dress in such a way that the body is as closed as possible, and in no case should you work without gloves. Clothing and objects in contact with poisonous oil must be handled carefully and carefully.

If there is a suspicion that ivy did affect the skin, care for the affected surface should be done immediately, especially since the oil is absorbed within half an hour, so there is enough time to wash the contact area.

It's not every day that we have to face the questions of survival in wild nature, but knowing which plants are edible and which are not can make all the difference if you happen to get lost in the woods. That is why we decided today to introduce you to the ten most poisonous plants that seem to be edible.

10. Rhododendron

Finding " Bay leaf» in your yard, first of all, make sure that it is not a rhododendron in front of you. The leaves of this plant contain a toxin that large quantities can cause nausea, vomiting and weakness. However, an adult has nothing to fear, even a child needs to eat 100-225 grams of the leaves of this plant in order to threaten his life.

9 Poison Ivy


Yes, it is quite obvious that poison ivy is poisonous. But the danger lies in the fact that this climbing plant in the process of growth takes the most different forms, becoming like the most different plants. In addition to the fact that the vine itself can cause itching and irritation on the skin, it is also not recommended to burn it. Otherwise, you will release a toxin that, once in your respiratory tract, will also provoke itching and burning.

8. Carolina Nightshade


And although the fruits of this resemble everyone's favorite tomato, the properties of Carolina nightshade are far from those of tomatoes. This dangerous plant contains the alkaloid solanine, which can cause problems with blood circulation and breathing, as well as cause severe pain in the abdomen.

7. Wild cherry (Prunus avium)

It is unlikely that when you think of cherries and sweet cherries, cyanide comes to mind. However, wild cherries can become a threat to life due to their rather high level cyanide content. When its leaves begin to wither and the fruits fall off, they become literally saturated with cyanide. Anyone who tries them is in danger of dying.

6. Castor oil


Many have probably come across this plant, but few people know that its seeds contain the toxin ricin, whose amount is enough to incapacitate an adult. When heated, the toxin is destroyed, but if you accidentally eat a few of these beans without pre-treatment you can say goodbye forever normal work nervous system.

5. Oleander


Many people know this is amazing. beautiful plant, but few know that any part of it contains a toxin that is released when it enters the body or if burned. Oleander juice contains a toxin that can disrupt the heart.

4. Prayer Abrus


This legume is mainly found in India. Often locals use its beans as beads, but it should be remembered that they also contain abrin, a deadly toxin. It can cause liver failure, nausea, and death. There are cases when people died by pricking their fingers while embroidering with beads or inhaling small particles of beans.

3. girlish grapes five leaf


This plant is similar to poison ivy in many ways, the only thing that will help you tell them apart is the number of leaves. Ivy has three, and this grape has five. In addition to the fact that the plant itself is capable of causing a rash, its berries contain a deadly toxin, eating which you can say goodbye to life.

2. American Lakonos


Do not try to eat the berries of this shrub. They contain a life-threatening toxin, which in small quantities can kill not only a child, but also an adult. Fortunately, this plant is quite easy to recognize and save yourself from such a fate.

1. Belladonna


This plant is found in the vastness of Europe, Asia, North America and North Africa. Its dark berries resemble blueberries, but don't eat them! Despite the fact that most of the poison is contained in the roots of this plant, the berries and leaves can also give you a lot of problems. They contain the toxin atropine, which can cause hallucinations, dizziness, and palpitations. One leaf of this plant will be enough to incapacitate an adult, and only three berries can kill a child.