Poison ivy or poison oak is a notorious plant that
almost everyone on the North American continent is familiar
with. This is because such a large percentage of people have
experienced allergic reactions to the urushiol oils
contained in the poison ivy and other similar plants at one
time or another.
It grows pretty much
everywhere in North America and it thrives greatly during
the summer months when a majority of people are spending a
large percentage of time outside.
There has also been an
explosion of poison ivy growth in recent years that has lead
to potential increased exposure to the plant. This is
especially true of rural and suburban areas that border
undeveloped patches of land.
Over 90
percent of the population is allergic to poison ivy and
even people who think they are completely immune to it
can be susceptible to its itchy effects at any time
without warning.
Repeated exposure to
the poison ivy plant as well as exposure to large amounts
of the rash causing urushiol oil in poison ivy can cause
breakouts in people who were otherwise thought to be
immune.
Because you can never truly be sure that
you are immune, poison ivy is certainly a plant everyone
should try to avoid contact with whenever
possible.
The discomfort that a
poison ivy rash can cause can be almost indescribably
unbearable and can sometimes become an extremely serious
problem that leads to hospitalization in extreme
cases.
On this site
you will find information pertaining not only to the
treatment of poison ivy rashes but also pictures that
will help you to identify the plant if you encounter it
in the wild.
Identifying these
potentially rash causing plants can go a long to helping
you to prevent developing an allergic reaction that can
lead to some nasty rashes and blisters.
There are
lists of common remedies as well as information
pertaining to over the counter treatments for poison ivy
rashes as well as products that can help prevent making
contact with the rash causing oils before you encounter
any poison ivy plants in the first
place.
You will also
discover the common myths that surround poison ivy as
well as important and little known
facts.
We also have a few
pages that are dedicated to over the counter treatments that
are available for purchase online. We not only provide you
with a list of the best ones that are available but we also
include convenient links to where you can order them online.
These products include solutions that form a protective
barrier that helps prevent poison ivy rashes before you even
come into contact with the plants.
We have also
included some great cleansing products that work to break
down the bond that forms between the rash causing
urushiol oil and the affected skin cells. There is a list
of effective topical ointments and gels that work to
eliminate the rash causing oil as well as cleanse the
affected area. We list some liquid sprays applied in a
light mist that help relieve the painful itching and
burning of the rash after it has been properly cleaned.
There are cleansing wipes that help to immediately
eliminate the rash causing oils by wiping them away
before the rash has a chance to form. Also listed are a
few all in one kits for preventing, cleaning, and
treating poison ivy rashes.
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