Although people react differently, exposure to poison sumac often causes an allergic reaction resulting in a rash called contact dermatitis. The culprit is oil within the plant called urushiol. In most cases, a poison plant rash subsides over time. However, it is essential to treat the rash to relieve the pain and itching. According to the Cleveland Clinic, seek medical attention if the reaction is severe or widespread, or affects sensitive areas such as the eyes, mouth or genitals.
Identification
Poison sumac is a shrub or tree that can grow up to 20-feet tall in ideal conditions. Each pinnate leaf holds seven to 13 leaflets that are oval to oblong in shape, tapering to a point at each end. Leaves are usually 2 to 4 inches long. The poison sumac plant has greenish clusters of flowers and tiny spherical gray relatively flat fruit-like clusters. The plant grows in extremely moist to wet soil, around swamps, predominately in the Southeastern United States and the Northeastern coastal areas into Canada.
Toxicity
Compared with poison ivy and poison oak, poison sumac creates the most severe reaction and is considerably more virulent than all three plants. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the rash from poison sumac causes the skin to become irritated, inflamed, painful, and itchy and can swell and blister. Essentially the urushiol oil burns the skin causing contact dermatitis. It can take up to 24 hours for a rash to develop when a person unknowingly becomes exposed to urushiol oil.
Exposure
Touching the entire plant, as opposed to just the leaves in some poisonous plants, can cause urushiol-induced contact dermatitis due to the resin contained in the plant called urushiol. This substance is extremely irritating to humans, on the skin and especially to the mucus membranes. Burning the shrubs, leaves or even the dead trees can also release the urushiol, and when inhaled can cause a severe allergic reaction, pain and difficulty breathing requiring immediate medical attention.
Effect
Urushiol oil causes an allergic or autoimmune response in humans. This response is a chemical reaction that occurs when the urushiol oil binds to and changes the protein found in skin cells causing an immune response. Taking an antihistamine such as diphenhydramine or better known as Benadryl, can alleviate some of the symptoms and offset the reaction, but not stop it entirely, or cure the rash.
Treatment
Time is of the essence. By acting quickly, it is possible to minimize the allergic reaction and rash. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, wash the affected area as soon as possible after exposure. Use dish soap or a detergent that can break down the oil and warm, not hot water and wash all exposed areas as quickly as possible. Do not use a washcloth or towel as it can pick up the urushiol oil and spread it to unaffected areas. Covering the affected area with an anti-itch medication may sooth the area.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Poison Ivy -- Oak -- Sumac Treatment
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Contact Dermatitis
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: NIOSH Fast Facts, Protecting Yourself from Poisonous Plants
- Cleveland Clinic: The Poison Plants: Poison Ivy, Poison Oak and Poison Sumac
