Poison Ivy Protection and Prevention
The best poison ivy protection is to avoid the plants completely, but this is not always possible.
The best prevention is avoiding contact, but many times we do not even realize that we have touched the plant until a day or two later when the rash, blisters, and itching appear. Take the time and do the research, so that you know what all the varieties of poison ivy, poison sumac, and poison oak look like. Some people are extremely sensitive, and in this case symptoms may appear within hours and become very severe, sometimes life threatening. It is essential that these people stay away from any plant that even resembles the poison trio. If you do come in contact wash the area immediately with warm water to remove the damaging oil of the plant from your skin before it can cause irritation.
Poison ivy protection can include staying out of any woods, swampy or marshy areas, or places that are overgrown or crowded with plant life. Poison ivy can be red, green, or colors in between, and the leaves range from small to over eight inches long and six inches wide, so staying away from areas that contain an abundance of plants in the wild can be a great breeding ground for these harmful plants. Keeping your arms and legs completely covered if you must go into areas where poison ivy may be can help keep the plant from touching your skin, but remove outer clothing as soon as you can and take a shower to ensure that there was no accidental contact.
Poison ivy protection is extremely important, because this rash is extremely painful and itchy, and can cause a week or more of misery. It is much easier and more comfortable to prevent poison ivy in the first place than it is to treat the rash after you are exposed, but there is help if it is too late. Baking soda paste made with water can be pasted on the rash and will relieve the itching and burning. Warm air or water can also help, by drying out the skin and promoting healthy skin growth underneath the damaged layer. Once the blisters are gone and the skin dries up the damaged skin will fall off, leaving new healthy skin behind.