[at-l] Poison Ivy

[Phil Heffington <phil.heffington@oc.edu>]

Nina, Here is a link which may be of some help to you regarding poison ivy:

http://res.agr.ca/brd/poisivy/title.html
I get this discussion going by making a couple of statements.  First, you
can get pills from a Dr. which are basically steroids in a "dose pack" which
help alleviate the itching.  It is going to take awhile for the blisters to
heal no matter what.
My understanding (though many dispute this) is that poison ivy blisters do
not spread from the liquid inside the blister, but the reaction can spread
systemically.  The "poison" of the ivy is an oil which you pick up from the
plant.  It is possible for a cat or other animal to carry the oil to you,
and you can get it off of clothes for a year after contact if they are not
washed properly.
Also, whatever you do, don't burn the poison ivy in your yard.  The smoke
can carry the oil to you and harm you just as bad as direct contact (so I
understand).


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