Like most parents you probably worry, about what your kids are doing when they are playing outside. Something that you might worry is them coming in contact with poison ivy plant. It is important that your kids recognize an ivy plant and stay away from it, so they won’t develop a rash or blisters. Most people are immune to this plant, but it is better to avoid the plant, then to try and find out if you are immune to it.

Does the phrase ‘Leaves of three, let it be’ sound familiar? While this can help avoid this plant, there are many plants out there that have three leaves together. Some characteristics of this plant is the three leaves are divided. The middle leaf will be on a independent longer stalk. It will also have erect shrubs and or a climbing vine. If you see a plant with these characteristics avoid it.

If you find one in your backyard, you will probably want to weed it out. This is not a good idea, especially using a weed eater, this will only cause the oils from the plant that contain the toxin to get all over you. Burning this plant is also a bad idea as the oils become more intense with the heat and can be carried with the smoke. The effective way to get rid of it, is using herbicide. Make sure you only use the right amount, too much can cause the liquid to drip from the plant.

If you touch the plant or come in contact with it, make sure you remove all clothing you were wearing, including shoes. You should rub alcohol in the skin that was affected. Proceed to rinse with cold water instead of hot. Hot water will only cause the skin on your pores to open up and permitting the oils to go through under your skin. Do not use soap, until after you have rinsed well, the oils on your skin can get on the soap and then you can end up spreading it on your body. Properly wash under your fingernails to ensure there is nothing left under there. If you do wash properly within the first 5-10 minutes you can avoid getting a rash.

Oils from this plant that land on your clothes can stay on there for up to a year. Make sure to thoroughly wash all the clothes you had on the time you came in contact with it. You should also wash anything that came in contact with the plant including your pets.

If you came in contact with it, even after you have washed the area properly, make sure you keep an eye out for symptoms, which can happen within the next 48 hours. Your skin can become red and itchy. They will form into patches. The red areas can become bumps or even blisters.

To treat a rash, you can take cold showers and also apply cold compresses. Rubbing ice cubes on the affected area can also give temporarily relief. Applying topical liquids or lotions on the rashes can bring relief as well. A rash will typically last about a week and last up to three weeks.

Do not assume that if you came in contact with a poison ivy plant, and you were immune, that you will always be immune. Your body changes throughout years and you can lose immunity each time you come in contact. Learn to recognize the plant and eliminate it. Always avoid it!

Searching all over the web for tips to avoid and treat poison ivy? Get the ultimate low down on top Poison Ivy Cures in our Cure for Poison Ivy guide.