While Uma Thurman’s upper-case Poison Ivy role in the summer blockbuster movie “Batman & Robin” is headed for video turnaround, the lower-case real thing is in high season.
August and September are the most prevalent months for the skin rash caused by urushiol (pronounced “you-ROO-shee-ol”), a typically colorless or slightly yellow oil that oozes from a cut or crushed poison ivy plant. It is most definitely not a favorite summer show.
Last August, the Food and Drug Administration approved use of IvyBlock, a clay-based skin lotion that prevents absorption of urushiol. So after dabbing on sunscreen about 30 minutes before going outside, the next strategic move is applying the poison ivy block 15 minutes before taking a hike, gardening in possible danger spots or tromping through high weeds and forest to find an errant golf ball.
“The barrier creams are useful as a preventive measure,” said Dr. Nia Terezakis, a dermatologist and researcher at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans. “But the problem is most people don’t anticipate coming into contact with poison ivy until it is too late.”
Research shows 85 percent of the population will develop a reaction after poison ivy contact, though a rash and itching requires several encounters with the plant. It generally takes 12 to 48 hours to see the rash, which can form a line or streak that resembles insect bites. Redness and swelling is followed by the evil tag team of itching and blistering.
Studies indicate children are most susceptible and a person’s risk of outbreak diminishes with age. Some scientists contend an individual’s sensitivity can change season to season. Some people are believed to be highly susceptible to poison ivy; they will experience swelling on the face, arms and genitals after contact.
“Poison ivy can last two to three weeks, and the rash can develop over several days,” said Terezakis, who is completing a study about the value of a manganese sulfate topical cream to relieve associated swelling and itching.
Terezakis was quick to say that we can’t spread poison ivy simply by scratching one area of affected skin, then touching another part of the body or another person.
“It’s a matter of original contact,” she said. “If you get urushiol on your hands, then you might spread it to other parts of your body (especially areas with thinner skin, such as around the eyes) by touching your face or whatever. Once you clean off the urushiol, then it is not possible to spread the rash.”
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the primary way to avoid a case of poison ivy is to know your botany. Poison ivy grows in the Midwest as a vine or low shrub. Its leaves are red in the spring, shiny green during the summer and orange or red again in the fall. It can have yellow-green flowers and white berries.
Dr. Jere Guin, a dermatologist based in Little Rock, Ark., said another characteristic of poison ivy is a conelike bulge between stem and leaf.
He said the axiom “leaves of three, let them be” is generally good advice. A poison ivy leaf has three leaflets that tend to be notched at the edges. Poison oak, an equally skin-pestering cousin, has three leaves that are lobed like an oak leaf rather than notched. It grows in low shrub or tree form with yellow berries, most frequently in the West and Southwest.
Poison sumac parks itself in nature as a tall shrub with 7 to 13 smooth-edged leaves and cream-colored berries. These plants easily bruise and expose sap. They are most common in bogs and swamps, including the Great Lakes region.
Terezakis said a common mistake among patients is to assume dead poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac plants can be handled without risk. Bad idea: Urushiol can last for years beyond a plant’s life, even on clothing or garden tools.
If you think you have been exposed to urushiol, the National Safety Council advises the affected area be washed five to six times with soap and water in the first 10 minutes of exposure–before it can fully penetrate the skin. Rubbing alcohol on the skin, followed by clear water, is a good finishing touch.
“Even plain water (or a soft drink) can deactivate poison ivy if you use it immediately,” said Terezakis.
If you develop a rash from poison ivy, Terezakis suggests cool compresses or oatmeal-based bath mixes to reduce the itching. She said some patients find relief from over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams. Calamine lotion and baking-soda baths also soothe mild cases, said Guin.
In more severe outbreaks–when itching and swelling do not subside after 5 to 10 days–both Terezakis and Guin suggested visiting a physician.
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