How to Recognize Poison Ivy: Canoeing / Kayaking
| June 17, 2011 | Posted by admin under Paddling |
It’s lurking along the riverbanks, camouflaged in green, a seemingly harmless plant. You probably don’t even notice it. Until you brush up against it, then you are a goner. The most common ailment that plagues paddlers seems to be poison ivy and oak. If you share space with these plants, which thrives along riverbanks, you have probably dealt with the annoying itch (unless you are one of those lucky 15 percent who aren’t allergic).
Some riverbanks are so dense that paddlers may choose to run an ugly drop rather than portage through the ugly ivy. The portage in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison River in Colorado is so strewn with poison ivy that paddlers wear special suits to protect themselves during the portage.
How To Recognize and Avoid Poison Ivy
Poison ivy can come in different colors, too, depending on the time of year and stage of the plant’s life. Besides green, it can also be red, yellow, or orange.
The nasty rash is caused by urushiol, the chemical sap of poison ivy, oak, and sumac. It can stick to pets, boats, paddling gear, or anything else it comes into contact with. Urushiol is also released when the plant is burned, which could be very dangerous if it is inhaled. A simple washing will remove the urushiol, however, if it is not removed, it could remain potent for years!
To avoid a latent outbreak, wash immediately upon coming into contact with poison. Urushiol only takes a few minutes to penetrate the skin. Experts also recommend that you take a shower. Do not use soap because it may pick up some of the urushiol and move it around. Clothes, shoes, paddling gear, or anything else that has come into contact with the poison should be washed immediately and handled carefully.
If you don’t wash it off fast enough, the first signs of rash will appear within 12 – 48 hours. Contrary to popular belief, the oozing blisters are not contagious, nor do they cause further spread on the body. The rash may appear as if it spreads, because of the rate that the urushiol is absorbed through the skin. Different parts of the body will absorb at different rates. Do not scratch! Scratching is only a temporary relief and can cause a secondary skin infection.
The North American Guide to Common Poisonous Plants and Mushrooms
A comprehensive, easy-to-use handbook. The book is split into four main categories: mushrooms, wild plants, ornamental and crop plants, and houseplants. Each plant entry includes a clear photograph to aid the task of identification, a description of the plant, notes on where they commonly occur, and a description of their toxic properties. Plants are listed by common name to assist the non-specialist.
If left untreated, the rash normally disappears within two weeks. But few can tolerate the itch without some help. Wet, cold compresses can help control the itch. Oral antihistamines can also relieve itching, but may make you sleepy. Over the counter creams, painting yourself pink with calamine lotion, are minimally effective on a severe rash. If the rash becomes severe, see a doctor. They may prescribe a corticosteroid shot or pill.
The best way to prevent a nasty, itchy rash is to avoid contact with the plant. Being able to recognize poison ivy, oak and sumac is essential. The saying “leaves of three, let it be,” is a nice little rhyme; except, the plants may have leaves in groups of five to nine.
Know How to Recognize the Plant
Poison Ivy grows around lakes and streams in the Midwest and East (though it has been spotted around the West). It can appear as a woody, ropelike vine, a trailing shrub on the ground, or a freestanding shrub. Normally it appears as three shiny leaflets, but may vary from five to nine. Leaves are green in the summer and red in the fall. It may have yellow or green flowers and white berries.
Poison Oak grows as a low shrub in the East (from New Jersey to Texas). In the West, along the Pacific coast, it grows to six-foot-tall clumps or vines up to 30 feet long. The shiny, oak-like leaves usually grow in clusters of three and may have yellow berries. Poison oak only grows below 1,500 feet.
Poison Sumac grows in boggy areas, especially in the Southeast. The shrub grows up to 15 feet tall with seven to 13 smooth-edged leaflets. May have pale yellow or cream-colored berries.