Health Tip: Avoid Poison Ivy

Most people are allergic to poison ivy, a three-leafed plant found in most areas of the United States. It harbors an oil that bonds to any skin that the oil touches, causing a red, itchy rash.

The American Academy of Family Physicians says here’s how you can contract a poison ivy rash:

  • When your skin touches the poison ivy plant itself.
  • When your skin touches any shoes or clothing that touched the plant.
  • When your skin touches gardening tools that have touched the plant.
  • When your hands touch the fur or skin of a pet that has touched poison ivy.
  • When you’re exposed to smoke from a burning poison ivy plant. The plant’s oil is contained within the smoke.

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This entry was posted on Monday, February 28th, 2011 at 3:06 pm and is filed under Health Help. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

 

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