Poison ivy and it's relatives are known and feared almost all over the world. The plant isnt't deadly but it can signifigantly alter ones way of life, because of the irritant, itching sores it gives the individuals infected with the oil, that secretes from the plant. In the following paragraphs I am going to explain what poison ivy is, how dangerous the plant is, ways to treat it and finally eliminate it as a threat to your way of life.
The first known records of poison ivy dates back to the 1600's when John Smith gave it its name. Even back then the settlers knew what type of threat poison ivy could become. Poison oak, a relative of poison ivy was discovered between 1799 and 1834 by David Douglas. Poison ivy, oak, and sumac plants all cause a severe skin reaction when the disfigured leaves of the plant come in contact with human skin. Brushing against an intact plant will not cause a reaction, but undamaged plants are extremely rare because the plant is so fragile. They are so fragile that even the tiny holes of chewing insects can release the oil.
The result of contact with one of these plants is a red, bumpy skin rash, usually on areas of the body where the skin is the thinnest, like the arms, shins and face. The cause of the rash, blisters, and infamous itch is urushiol oil, a chemical in the sap of poison ivy plants. The urushiol oil is so potent that only one nanogram is needed to cause a rash. One Fourth an ounce of urushiol oil is all that is need to cause a rash in every person on earth! Also 500 people could be infectedfrom the amount covering the head of a pin. The oil doesn't take long to go in effect either; it can be as soon as a few hours or as late as two weeks after exposure. What determines this is how sensitive he or she is to the plant and the number of previous times the person has been exposed to it.
Once the rash starts it takes about 5 days for it to reach its peak.
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