$Unique_ID{BRK00783}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Outbreaks of Poison Ivy While Gardening}
$Subject{poison ivy rash rashes Skin allergy allergies immune urushiol oily
resin oil ice oral antihistamine cortisone cream calamine lotion hydrogen
peroxide}
$Volume{L-20,U-20}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Outbreaks of Poison Ivy While Gardening


------------------------------------------------------------------------------

QUESTION:  Here it is with summer over, and I am still getting outbreaks of
poison ivy whenever I try to do a bit of gardening.  I thought the plant would
be dead by now, but something is causing these rashes.  Can you offer me any
help.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ANSWER:  If you can recognize the plant, perhaps you may be able to stay away
from it.  I am sure you know about its three shiny leaves at the tip of the
stem, but at this time of year it may also sprout greenish-white berries.  It
will be growing right along with other bushes, near the bottoms of fences and
walls and around the bases of trees.  The allergic reaction is produced by a
chemical called urushiol, which is the oily part of the resin that this plant
produces.  The oil will stick to your clothing, shoes and even your garden
tools and remain potent for weeks.  When you do garden, wear protective
gloves, long sleeves and slacks tucked into your socks or shoes.  Take a nice
cleansing shower after gardening and be sure to launder those clothes well, to
remove any traces of the resin that may still cling to the cloth.  Clean your
tools with strong soapy water (wearing gloves, of course).  If the rash does
break out, and I hope it won't, applications of ice and taking an oral
antihistamine will help reduce the itch.  Your pharmacist may help you with an
over-the-counter cortisone cream as well, and you may speed the drying of the
rash with calamine lotion or hydrogen peroxide.  If you are prone to severe
cases, a prescription or injection of cortisone from your physician provides
speedy relief.  One last caution.  If you burn your leaves and garden trash,
and should there be leaves of poison ivy in the pile, the resin and oil will
be present in the smoke, and a rash can break out if that smoke touches your
exposed skin.  This may be a hard diagnosis for your doctor to make, unless
you are sure to remind him of your allergy to poison ivy, and possibly other
plants that produce similar chemicals.

----------------

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.