How to Avoid Poisonous Plants While Backpacking

Backpacking is quite the adventure if you are educated in how to do it. From the right food to the right bedding to the right shoes and even the right backpack is all quite significant. Even more important once you are all ready to go and are hitting the trail is to know a little about the terrain you are about to hike in. Very rarely do people hike away from a trail, but that does not mean they stay on the trail the whole time. Nature calls, curiosity beckons, campsite clearing are all examples of off-trail excursions. An overlooked problem can be using old poison ivy twigs to start a fire - be sure you know what you are picking up or the smoke will irritte your nasal passage as well as lungs and eyes . Your trip will become a nightmare quickly if you develop an allergy to poisonous plants along the way. Educate yourself beforehand.

Instructions

1. 

   Identify poison ivy. It is by far the most common irritating plant in the United States. Most people develop a severe rash that can last for days or even weeks. It can be found growing along trails and streams and grows into a woody rope like vine with hairy little roots grasping onto tree trunks. It is identified by three leaflets usually, but sometimes can have up to nine. If in doubt, don't touch it! If you happen to be hiking when there are no leaves, be very careful when digging as poisonous ivy roots can network underground along side trees and paths. If you suspect that contact has been made, wash the skin affected with soapy water within 15 minutes.

2. 

   Don't touch stinging nettles. They are a simple green plant that grow along banks and hillsides that are usually pushed aside for passage. Within seconds, you will think you are being stung by a bunch of bees and can do nothing until it passes other than maybe rub a little jewel weed stem on it or cool water. Once you have encountered it, you most likely will never forget it.

3. 

   Stay away from poison oak. It is found on the west coast and the east coast. It is similar in affect to poison ivy in that it has urushoil that causes severe irritation that intensifies with each new case. You cannot develop an immunity to it, you can only lose your resistance to it by repeated exposure. Most people agree that it is more aggravating and intense than poison ivy.

4. 

   Look for poison sumac if you are hiking in the southeastern states. It has been defined as the most poisonous plant in the United States by some. It is easily characterized by red stems and then white or gray berries which distinguish it from other non-poisonous sumacs. It grows in wet and swampy soils as far west as Idaho.

Tips & Warnings

• Wash any clothes that may have touched the palnts as the urushoil stays viable for months.

• People wearing suntan lotion report less of a problem with rashes.

• Never eat any plant you are positive of its identity

• Be careful of breathing in campfire smoke while starting with twigs.

• Remember pets can carry the oils.