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Leaves of three -- let them be! This rhyme was created to remind us to avoid poison ivy, but what else can be done to prevent and treat the uncomfortable, itchy reaction caused by these plants?
As the weather gets warmer, and your children head outside, educating them to be aware of poison ivy is the key to prevention. Because about 85 percent of children will have an allergic reaction to these plants when they are exposed, teaching them more than a simple rhyme can reduce their risk.
There are three types of the plant commonly called poison ivy:
- poison ivy
- poison oak
- poison sumac
Poison ivy leaves are shiny and come in the aforementioned clusters of three. It's on shrubs, vines, trees or even on the beach, where the leaves appear waxy and curled.
As with most plants, poison ivy appears differently each season but causes an allergic reaction anytime contact is made. During the summer, the plant is in full bloom -- new leaves are red and shiny, while older leaves are dull. In the fall, the leaves turn a variety of colors, including orange, red, yellow and brown. In the winter, the plant loses its leaves, and in the spring its leaves are bright red and shiny.
The allergic reaction occurs when urushiol, an oily substance from the plant, comes in contact with the skin. The oil is easily transferred from the plant to clothing, shoes, toys or pets, and can remain active for more than a year, making it possible for a child to be exposed without coming in direct contact with the plant.
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