Camping Guide: Poison Ivy vs Poison Oak vs Poison Sumac - hopperstock.com

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Camping Guide Poison Ivy vs Poison Oak vs Poison
Sumac - hopperstock.com
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• When summer approaches, many people get out of
  their homes and engage in outdoor activities like
  camping and hiking. If you are one of them, make
  sure you be careful while hiking or camping.
  Aside from other risks, you may get rashes from
  poison sumac, poison oak or poison ivy while
  walking through woods.
• Rashes caused by these plants may cause skin
  itchiness and irritation. Therefore, you need to
  recognize the symptoms to find out which plant
  caused the rashes. This way you can take the
  right steps to deal with the problem.

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• So, whats the difference between poison ivy and
  poison oak? While all plants look quite similar
  in the woods, but some species are quite
  dangerous and may cause skin irritation. All of
  the three plants mentioned above have one thing
  in common urushiol. This oil is the liquid that
  causes skin rashes. Lets find out the difference
  between poison sumac, poison oak, and poison ivy
  and the steps you can take in order to be on the
  safe side.
• Poison Ivy This plant can be found across the
  United States except for Hawaii, Alaska and some
  areas of the West coast. Typically, while
  camping, these plants can be seen growing on a
  shrub or vine. The leaves of poison ivy are
  glossy and three spoon-shaped. The edges of the
  leaves can be either tooth-like or smooth.

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• Based on the season, the leaves tend to change
  colors. For instance, their leaf color is
  yellow/orange in Autumn, green in summer and red
  in spring.
• Poison Oak Just like Poison Ivy, Poison Oak can
  be found across the US but its more common in
  the Western United States. However, you may have
  to struggle to find it in the Midwest region.
  Given below are some poison oak images.

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Facts to Keep in Mind

• The rashes may or may not appear after your first
  contact with any of the plants
• A rash may appear on the area of contact post a
  few hours, days or weeks
• The rashes dont spread from one person to
  another
• You may get rashes from anything that has
  urushiol on it, such as your clothing, garden
  tools, pets, and other stuff. You need to wash
  the oil off with water to remove it or it wont
  go away.
• If your blisters break, dont worry as the liquid
  in the blisters is not urushiol and wont spread
  rashes.

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Preventive Measures

• Watch out for the three plants when you are out
  in the woods on a camping trip
• If you need to work around poison ivy, make sure
  you put on long pants, long sleeves, and gloves.
  After you are done, dont forget to wash your
  gloves and garden tools.
• If your pets have come into contact with poison
  ivy or other similar plants, use water and pet
  shampoo to wash them. Although these poisonous
  plants are not dangerous for pets, the oil may
  stick to them and when you touch your pets, you
  may get rashes.
• If you come in contact with poison ivy or other
  similar plants, make sure you wash your skin as
  soon as possible.

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Treatment Tips
If blisters appear on your skin, dont make the
mistake of scratching them. The bacteria under
your nails may cause bacterial infection. You can
use the following tips to relieve the itch

• Soak in cool water or use wet compresses
• Consult your physician and take oral
  corticosteroids or topic steroids

Consult a Medical Professional

• If the problem gets worse during camping, you
  might want to get in touch with a medical
  professional right away. This is even more
  important if you have the following symptoms
• High fever
• Push, tenderness or yellow scabs on the rash
• Worse itching
• So, this was a description of the difference
  between poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac.
  If you follow the preventive measures describes
  in this article, you will be safe during your
  camping trip. In case you end up with rashes
  after coming into contact with a poisonous plant,
  follow the treatment tips and consult your
  doctor.

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