How to Find Relief From Poisonous Plants

Many people each year suffer from poison plant allergies and the symptoms from the plant poison can be very uncomfortable and aggravating, and in some cases, when a very sensitive person comes into contact with these poisonous plants they develop a severe allergic reaction within hours which would require immediate emergency medical care to prevent the condition from getting worse. The chemical substance or toxin found in most poisonous plants is the urushiol oil which causes the red rashes and the unbearable itchiness. The toxin is found in poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac. Some individuals are initially immune to the poison, but over time if there is continual exposure to the poison the person will gradual develop sensitivity to it.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• ice pack
• water
• alcohol
• moisture towels
• antihistamine cream tablets
• calamine
• zinc oxide
• witch hazel
• oatmeal
• jewelweed
• cortisone ointment
• echinacea
• face mud

1. the itchiness and rashes from the exposure to the toxin in the poisonous plant can be reduced by rubbing in topical cortisone cream and taking and oral antihistamine tablet. The active ingredients in these drugs can help counteract the effects of the toxin. The active ingredients are diphenhydramine hydrochloride found in Benadrly and chlorpheniramine maleates found in Chlor-Trimeton.
2. When the skin is exposed to the poisonous toxins from the plants it causes the blood vessels to become leak and so bodily fliuds oozes out of the skin forming blisters. Use soothing solutions and creams to help reduce this effect. also the cooling effect form these solutions or creams can help reduce the oozing by causing the capillaries to vasoconstrict. Calamine lotion is a good solution to use on the affected area.
3. Some other creams and lotions that can help the symptoms of poisonous plant exposure are zinc oxide, baking soda, witch hazel and aluminum acetate. Most of these items are readily available in most drugstores, health stores and pharmacies.
4. Wash off the toxin immediately by using running water over the exposed area because water inactivates the toxin found in the poisonous plants. Use the garden hose or dive into the swimming pool or if out camping near the step into the lake. The faster you can wash off the toxin from the skin the less time you will give the toxin to react with your body.
5. Use protection if you know you are going to an area that might have poisonous plants like poison ivy or poison oak. There is a product called Ivy block that you can obtain in some drugstores that can help give you a barrier or a protective layer to the toxin. The lotion when applied over the skin prevents the toxins from penetrating into the skin.
6. When you go on camping trips and hikes and know it is s an area where poisonous plants grow then bring along a small first aid kit in the backpack for allergic attack emergencies from poisonous plants. Include alcohol wipes since alcohol will wash away most of the toxin from the exposed area
7. You can also use pre-moistened wipes/towelettes and baby wipes to remove the toxins. Be careful not to spread the toxin over the unexposed areas of the skin when you are using the wipes or novelette.
8. Using ice packs and ice cubes or wraps can help relieve the unbearable itch form the toxin. Rubbing an ice cube on the rash will reduce the rash and distract from the pain due to the cooling effect it will have on the skin.
9. Oatmeal bath is another method to find relief from the itch and the rash and helps with the oozing form the skin as it will absorb the fluid. You can purchase ready made oatmeal lotions in drugstore or make a home remedy with shop bought regular oatmeal. Make a paste like oatmeal mixture with water. Strain the mixture in clean cloth or a sock to strain the liquid from the oatmeal. Use the liquid and smear on the rash to help relief the itch. Use the cooked oatmeal as a compress to place on the affected areas.
10. Some herbs can help in finding relief like jewelweed and Echinacea which reduces itchiness and prevent inflammation in the blisters on the skin.
11. Use face pack mud to help dry up the ooziness from the blisters and skin. Mix a mud pack in water until it becomes a paste-like consistency and apply to the affected areas on the skin. Allow this to dry and leave on the skin until it wears off or when the itch returns. You can add a few drops of lavender oil to help cool the skin.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear appropriate clothing whenever you are going camping or hiking in areas known to have poisonous plants. long sleeves and pants to reduce skin exposure.
• Seek immediate medical attention if you suspect a severe allergic attack from exposure to the toxins from poisonous plants. You may need a cortisone injection to reduce the severity of the allergic reaction, like hives, swollen eyes and blister eruptions.