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How to identify poison ivy and get rid of it

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Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) - New foliage in spring
Photo: Pascale Maynard
Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) - New foliage in spring
  • Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) - New foliage in spring
  •  Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) - Summer foliage
  • Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) - Flowering
  • Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) - Fruits
  • Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) - Autumn colouring
  • Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) - Climbing form

The best way to protect yourself from poison ivy is to be able to identify it properly, so that you can avoid it! Better safe than sorry: stay on the trails when hiking in the forest and keep your pets on a leash.

Description and habitat

The scientific name for poison ivy is Toxicodendron radicans, but it is still sometimes referred to by its older name, Rhus radicans.

Poison ivy is tricky! It grows in many forms: shrubby, low-growing and ground-covering, or climbing. It is a woody perennial that forms dense colonies along the borders of woods, in fallow fields, in disturbed habitats, along roadsides and near water. It spreads by means of seeds and underground stems (rhizomes).

It has shiny, alternate leaves, each made up of three leaflets. The stalk of the central leaflet is much longer than the stalks of the two side leaflets. Their margins may be smooth or toothed and they have very prominent veins. The leaves are reddish when they emerge in spring and change to dark green in summer. In fall, they turn yellow, red or orange. They vary greatly in size.

In June and July, poison ivy produces clusters of small whitish to greenish flowers, often hidden by the leaves. In September, waxy, round berries, about the size of a dried pea, appear. They turn from green to yellowish-white. The fruit clusters may remain on the bare plants all winter long.

Contamination

Poison ivy sap contains urushiol, an allergen that causes a painful skin rash (allergic contact dermatitis) in about 90% of people. Urushiol is present in all parts of the plant, except the pollen. The offending substance is released when the plant is damaged. Since urushiol is oily and non-volatile, it can easily stick to tools, clothing and pet fur. It can also remain toxic for a very long time.

Since urushiol provokes an allergic reaction, people aren’t affected the first time they come into contact with it. Most people become sensitized at that point, however, and may develop dermatitis the next time they are exposed to it.

Symptoms

In sensitized individuals, symptoms usually appear within 24 to 48 hours of coming into contact with the plant or a contaminated object or pet. The severity of the reaction depends on the individual’s sensitivity, the amount of sap that comes into contact with the person’s skin and the parts of the body affected by it.

The first sign is intense itching and redness. There may also be swelling and blistering. The blisters may burst, ooze and form scabs. Contact with oozing sores cannot spread the dermatitis. However, because urushiol can stay under the nails for a long time if they are not properly cleaned, it is possible to spread dermatitis to other parts of the body by scratching.

In most cases, the symptoms disappear within 7 to 10 days, but recovery from more severe reactions may take 3 weeks or more, however.

Cross reactivity

People who are sensitive to poison ivy may develop a similar dermatitis reaction to related plants or some of their products, including mango rind, Japanese lacquer, India ink markers, the oil from cashew nut shells, and the fruit pulp of ginkgo trees.

Treatment

  • Wash all exposed regions as soon as possible – including under the nails – with cold water and soap.
  • Wash separately all contaminated clothing, shoes and objects several times in hot, soapy water. Wear heavy-duty waterproof gloves when handling all such objects. Pets should also be bathed with soap and water.
  • Apply cool water compresses or compresses soaked in a baking soda solution to alleviate the itching. Lukewarm oatmeal baths may also be soothing. Some over-the-counter drugs may also offer relief. Consult your pharmacist.
  • If the symptoms are severe or extensive, or if there is fever, call Info-Santé (811) or consult a doctor.

Eradication

To get rid of poison ivy, you have to be as tenacious as it is! Before intervening, it is essential to protect yourself well (protective glasses, waterproof gloves and boots, long clothing).

  • Dig up the plant, remove all visible rhizomes and turn the soil over frequently to prevent it from propagating. Thoroughly wash all clothing and tools used afterward.
  • You can also smother poison ivy with old carpeting, thick black plastic or other long-lasting material for at least one year. Be sure to cover the soil at least 2 metres around the plant.
  • As a last resort, use a low-impact pesticide with sodium chloride as the active ingredient. Carefully read the label of the product and follow the directions.
  • Dispose of all the plant material in a properly labelled garbage bag or bury it deeply in the soil. Never compost or burn it. Inhaling the smoke from the burning plant material can cause a severe pulmonary reaction.

Come take a look at the poison ivy growing in the Toxic Plants Garden at the Jardin botanique. That way, you will be able to recognize it the next time you spot it in a natural environment.

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