Rhus toxicodendron or Toxicodendron radicans or poison ivy is a plant that belongs to Anacardiaceae, the cashew family (trees and shrubs and vines having resinous, sometimes poisonous juice). This woody vine is famous for its ability to produce urushiol, a skin irritant that causes an itching rash for most people. Besides poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac also cause urushiol. Urushiol-induced contact dermatitis is the technical name given to the skin problem.

A sap that comes from these poisonous plants causes urushiol. However, not everyone reacts to the plants. People who are allergic to them have the greater risk of getting urushiol. People who:

1touch poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac
2touch clothing or shoes that have the sap on them
3touch pets that have the sap on them
4come in contact with the smoke of these burning plants
'can also get urushiol. The skin rash appears after a day or a couple of days of coming in contact with the plants.

Urushiol Prevention

One of the best ways to prevent urushiol is to avoid come in contact with poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. To do this you must be able to identify these plants. Let us help you identify these plants.

Poison ivy has three leaflets per stem
Exactly like poison ivy, poison oak also has three leaflets per stem
Unlike poison ivy and poison oak, poison sumac has a row of six to ten leaflets with one at the end of the stem and others in two rows opposite to each other.

An allergic reaction can be prevented if you do the following within 4 to 6 hours after coming in contact with these poisonous plants.

Remove all clothes and shoes that have touched the plant.
Wash your skin with soap and water.
Apply rubbing alcohol with cotton balls to the parts of the skin that are affected.
Rinse with water.

If it gets late, contact your doctor.