There is a danger lurking just outside of that cozy campfire – surprisingly, most people know very little about it. Poison ivy and poison oak can be interesting to look at with their colored, shiny leaves (these plants turn yellow, orange, and red throughout the year), but they also contain a poisonous sap called “urushiol” that is released once the plant has become bruised. During the spring and early summer, these plants are extremely tender causing them to bruise rather easily. Once the sap touches your skin, clothes, shoes, or pets, you may have a reaction to the sap itself.
If you have been in contact with either poison oak or ivy, you will know right away. Almost immediately, those that are allergic to this poison will begin to itch. Once the itching becomes worse, your skin will begin to break out in a reddish rash causing the skin to blister. While most people know whether or not they are allergic to poison oak and poison ivy, some younger members of your group may not have been exposed to these plants yet. In this case, a rash will not occur for ten days following the initial contact.
If you happen to be particularly sensitive to this poison, your sores may begin to ooze various liquids. In this case, make sure to cut that trip short and head to a hospital right away. Once this poison has had time to adhere to your skin, it cannot be washed off (though washing your skin immediately after any nature hike may prevent a rash). However, there are some ways to help ease the pain.
After that red rash appears, apply calamine lotion right away. Should you be in the middle of the forest when this occurs, grab the coolest thing that you can find (cold water, ice, frozen food) and apply it to your skin – cold has an instant soothing effect on this type of rash.
Those that have been struck with this allergic reaction before should always carry some type of calamine lotion with them on every camping trip. Always head to that camping site prepared – know what the plant looks like, know how to recognize the symptoms, and bring a first aid kit with you.
John Grimes is with AllTerrainco.com - makers of first aid supplies for the outdoors.
