Poison ivy is a plant that looks like a weed plant. It can grow like a bush or it an grow up a tree. There are three leaflets that connect to the stem and they change colors including yellow, red and orange. Some plants have green flowers or sometimes berries that are a whitish tint.

Poison ivy is a plant that looks like a weed plant. It can grow like a bush or it an grow up a tree. There are three leaflets that connect to the stem and they change colors including yellow, red and orange. Some plants have green flowers or sometimes berries that are a whitish tint.

All children grow up hearing their parent tell them to stay away from poison ivy but as a child, you do not know exactly what to look for so you can avoid it. If you do come in contact but are unaware, symptoms can take 12 to 24 hours to appear. These symptoms can include redness, blistering and swelling and should be cared for as soon as possible.

Someone coming in contact with the plant will break out in a rash if the skin touches the oil from it. Although there is no need to worry about coming in contact with it, is can be nerve racking. You probably are self conscious because of the rash and blisters that are on parts of the body. This needs to be looked at right away.

Coming in contact with this plant will result in a rash that is very itchy and now you need to control that. Typically this can be controlled by going to your local grocery store but in some situations, a doctor is needed. A simple antihistamine such as a cream, spray or lotion are available, this medicine can also be taken orally.

For the rash you will need hydrocortisone creams or sprays, whichever you prefer. Other products such as baking soda, Aveeno, calamine and others are available to dry out blisters. Any of these products can be also found at your local grocery store.

You need to seek the attention of a doctor if you have been affected in the face or the genitals. These areas are easily scarred and can swell up badly and this is something a person wants to avoid. If the affected area is more than 10 percent of the body, which is about the size of the abdomen, medical attention should be sought. Any signs of infection or excessive itching should also be checked out by a doctor.

Luckily, it is not contagious so the rash is not likely to spread because there is no urushiol contained in the blisters. But you do need to seek medical attention is there is a rash does not get better or it is all over the body; if it is located in the mouth, blisters ooze out puss or you have a high temperature, seek medical help also. The sooner you get the rash under control, the better off you will be.

Today, studies have shown how the plant of the poison ivy is getting larger in size, but the question is why. Research from Duke University shows that carbon dioxide causes these plants to double in size since the 1950s. This leaf is also producing oils that are more toxic. If carbon dioxide is the culprit then this can become an epidemic.