Poison Ivy Rash Plant Symptoms Time Lapses Blister and Pictures

Poison Ivy Rash Plant Symptoms Time Lapses Blister and Pictures
Poison Ivy
The poison ivy plant is related to poison sumac, poison oak, and the cashew plant.


These poison ivy leaves will become green as they mature.


Poison ivy actually is not ivy at all and is a distant relative to the wood vine which looks like an ivy plant. Certain regions in the United States have various types of poison ivy that closer resembles shrubs. Poison ivy is extremely poisonous and should be avoided entirely. Due to its harmful nature, the poison ivy plant has earned the saying “leaves of three, leave them be”.



The poison ivy plant has three small leaves in the middle with berries that resemble a cluster. The leaves have a long stalk and the middle leaf is the largest of the three. At the base of the leaf where it attaches to the stem are small yellow flowers. These flowers turn into clusters of berries which are white in color and are poisonous when consumed.




The poison ivy plant isn’t always a harmful matter of face the berries are often consumed by deer. There are also various types of birds that consider these berries a delicacy. The plant flowers most often between spring and summer with the berries appearing between summer and fall.



The plant and the leaves vary in size with the texture being different as well. However, the poison ivy plant is still very easy to recognize. During the spring as the plant first emerges it is usually red in color. By summer the leaves of the plant begin to turn green. During this growth period, the leaves will turn a purplish color. By the fall the plant appears in beautiful shades of orange, yellow and red however it’s still best to remember “leaves of three, leave them be.”
A native and poisonous vine, Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) is a beautiful plant as long as you don't touch it.


The itching and painful blisters that come from the poison ivy plant are as the result of urushiol oil that comes from the plant. When we come into contact with this oil is when we experience the allergic reaction this is accompanied by swelling, redness and painful discomfort. When we touch the affected area or our clothes, other people or other animals come in contact with the area is when the poison ivy is spread.




The most common location for the poison ivy plant is southern Canada and throughout the united states with the exception of the west coast. The west coast region is most popular for having poison oak. Poison oak and poison ivy are closely related and look very similar to each other which is why the two are often confused. Usually, the symptoms are also similar to both plants.



The poison ivy plant grows similar to a vine or shrub depending on the climate and the region. This plant is very thick and spreads easily if not contained or destroyed in some way. The best way to destroy a poison ivy plant is to use weed killer. It will take several applications to completely destroy the plant, however, this is the safest and most effective way. Never burn a poison ivy plant as the fire and smoke will spread the poison o f the plant.

Poison Ivy Rash
Over half of the American population is allergic to the Urushiol oil that comes from the poison ivy plant. This makes this plant the most common allergy in the United States. However, not all people are allergic to poison ivy. There is a small percentage of Americans that have no reaction to the oil of the plant. The oil is the cause of the blisters, rashes and many other painful side effects. After encountering the three-leafed plant the symptoms begin to occur anywhere from an hour to several days later.



Anyone encountering the poison ivy plant should act fast at the most within ten minutes after contact. Waiting any longer will cause the Urushiol oil to stick to the skin. Within ten minutes of contact, the FDA advises cleaning all exposed areas with rubbing alcohol, wash using only water, and take a shower using a lot of soap, and using clean gloves to wipe down anything that was exposed to the plant.

There are several treatments that can be used at any time to relieve the symptoms of the poison ivy rash.

Urushiol oil can be found on all parts of the poison ivy plant including the berries, leaves, and stems. Anyone can develop a rash by touching any part of the plant. A poison ivy rash can also be developed from touching any objects that have come in contact with the plant as well. Being exposed to the smoke from burning poison ivy plants will cause an internal rash which can cause severe damage of internal organs.




Usually, the poison ivy rash starts as tiny red bumps that develop into blisters accompanied with itching. The rash continues to develop and spread to many parts of the body that was exposed to the oil from the poison ivy plant. The skin will become itchy and red then becoming inflamed with blisters. The rash will sometimes cause blisters that eventually will become crusty and begin to flake. Scratching the skin will cause the rash to worsen and become even more inflamed. Keep all affected areas clean especially any open sores or blisters. The rash will become worse if not treated properly.

If you start to develop a fever with the poison ivy rash consult your doctor immediately. Usually, doctors will recommend cold showers and a soothing cream such as an Aloe Vera cream or Calamine lotion. Poison ivy rashes can be cured with a wide variety of home remedy cures. However, in severe cases of poison, the rash doctors will prescribe creams containing steroids or antihistamines.

The best way to avoid getting a poison ivy rash is to know what the poison ivy plant looks like. Research about the poison ivy plant, where it grows and what it looks like. The more information you learn about the poison ivy plant the better your chances of never coming in contact with the plant. Poison ivy can be found in most regions in the United States except for the West Coast.


Poison Ivy Pictures

Would you recognize these "baby" poison ivy plants? Left to right: 1) Recently germinated poison ivy (with oval shape seed leaf), 2) Germinated earlier this spring, 3) One-year-old poison ivy.


If you have poison ivy plants growing in your yard call Iowa Poison Ivy Removal, and let us get rid of them!

No comments