Facts on Avoiding Poison Ivy

1. Leaves of Three

Avoiding poison ivy entails recognizing the plant. This can take practice, as the vine grows in several different shapes and forms. In general, poison ivy grows as a vine that produces clusters of three leaves. The vine may creep along the ground, or it can grow into trees. Large vines exhibit hairy rootlets that help it to cling to tree trunks. Poison ivy can also grow as a bush. The leaves may be lobed, but smooth-edged varieties also grow. Newly emerging leaves and fall foliage appear red or russet.

2. Cover Up

If you're going to be in an area infested with poison ivy, you can prevent the urushiol-containing sap from coming into contact with your skin. One method is by covering any exposed skin with gloves, long sleeves and pants tucked into socks. This method is also excellent for repelling ticks if you're going to be in a heavily wooded area. If the weather is unbearably hot, you can apply a commercial ivy-block lotion to your skin.

3. Animal Carriers

Our pets and wildlife friends can unintentionally contribute to the poison ivy problem. If your dogs or cats roam in poison ivy-infested areas, they can bring the irritating urushiol oil home on their coats. You'll wonder how you got poison ivy, without ever stepping outdoors, the day after playing with Mittens. Keep pets out of areas contaminated with poison ivy, or remove the plants. Birds relish the poison ivy berries and can over seed your property with the noxious weed when they accidentally drop the berries into your yard. Stop bird feeding during the fall when berries are in season.

4. The Itch-Scratch Cycle

If you've contracted poison ivy, you can choose from natural, over-the-counter and prescription remedies. Native Americans have long relied on jewelweed to relieve poison ivy. Buy this medicinal herb at a health food store. You can take a colloidal oatmeal bath and apply calamine lotion to the rashes. Cover loosely with gauze bandages to discourage scratching. For severe cases, ask the doctor about prescription corticosteroids.

5. Kill Poison Ivy

The best way to avoid repeated outbreaks of poison ivy-induced rashes is to eradicate the plants from your property. If the area is extremely overgrown, and you're facing vines that climb into the canopies of trees, this may take a few growing seasons. Cut the vines at the base, and paint the stumps with glycophosphate. The extensive root system may respond with a myriad of shoots, so treat them early and often. If you've reduced the nuisance to a few random plants, you can use the organic solution of horticultural vinegar spray. Never burn the plants; inhaling plant particles via smoke can cause serious illness.