Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, & 7 Other Plants Can Give You a Rash


Fresh air and sunlight are good for the body, mind, spirit and overall well-being of an individual. Nevertheless, if you have an itchy rash, a short walk in the park may feel more like a stressful ordeal than a way to relax.

You may got sick because you touched a common plant like poison ivy. However, many other plants could cause contact dermatitis, ranging from mild discomfort to full-blown blistering and oozing (skin irritation caused by an irritant or substance that creates an allergic reaction).

1. Poison ivy is the itchiest plant

Poison ivy grows in all 50 states of the United States. It grows along roadsides, on fences, and in backyards, and you might come across it while bushwhacking. The poison ivy vine has three leaves in a cluster and can grow up trees or spread out on the ground. The part of the plant that causes rashes is called urushiol in every aspect of the plant.

2. Poison Oak has nothing to do with real oak trees

Poison oak grows all over the United States, just like its cousin poison ivy. It likes moist woods and sandy fields. Poison oak can be recognized by its dark green leaves, which grow in groups of three along its strong stem. The fruit of poison ivy are smooth, but the flowers and berries of this plant are hairy and fuzzy.

3. The Poisonous Itch Oak, Ivy, and Sumac

Poison sumac grows in many parts of the United States, just like poison ivy and oak. The allergen urushiol is found in both plants. It is a small bush or tree that grows well in wet places like marshes, stream banks, and ponds.

The poison sumac is easy to spot because of its complicated leaves, which have seven to thirteen round, bright green leaflets, and its distinctive red stems, which grow from the main trunk. The poison sumac tree has flat, gray-colored berries and yellow flowers with a greenish tint.

4. Nettle wood

Wood nettle is a herb that grows naturally in damp wooded areas. Wildlife may benefit from its thick, clumpy growth in big, separate groups. This plant is a food source for many kinds of bugs and butterflies.

5. The nettle that hurts

The stinging nettle is where the family name "nettle" comes from. It comes from the Americas, but you can also find it in Europe, Asia, and North Africa. The plant grows in dense clumps along streams, hiking trails, ditches, and farmland. These are all places where the ground has been disturbed.

The stems of the leaves and the undersides of the leaves also have hairs that can sting. Bitter nettle has dark green leaves that are 2–4 inches long but narrow at the base. There are groups of white flowers at the bottom of every other pair of leaves.

6. Baby's breath is bothersome when it's dry

Baby's breath, which can be white or pink, may have been added to your flower arrangement to accent the roses. In ornamental perennial gardens, baby's breath is a must-have plant.

Since the bacteria in fresh baby's breath are still alive, they can't irritate the skin, eyes, nose, and sinuses as much as dried baby's breath can. Also, people who are always around it, like people who work in the flower business, may develop asthma symptoms.

7. Don't touch the leadwort

Plumbago, also called leadwort, is a tropical shrub that can grow in the warm southern United States. It is sometimes used as a ground cover in gardens because it grows underground and forms a mat of plants.

The flowers of leadwort are a medium blue color and have five petals. They bloom at the end of spring or the beginning of summer and stay on the plant until the first frost.

8. Ragweed pollen can cause itchy eyes and a runny nose

Most people with hay fever, also called seasonal allergic rhinitis, get sick in the fall because of ragweed pollen that spreads in the climate in this season. On the other hand, those who are allergic to ragweed pollen may get a rash if they touch it. Signs of the inflammation could be red spots on the face or swollen eyelids.

Because the pollen from ragweed is so easy to pass from one person to another, it is hard to avoid getting a rash. Giant hogweed is a plant that spreads quickly and can give you a painful rash if it touches your skin.

According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, giant hogweed is a "federally listed noxious weed" in the United States. This is because it spreads quickly across Europe and North America, making it hard to get rid of.

If the sap of the giant hogweed gets into the eyes or on the skin, it can cause blindness in the worst case. This skin condition can look like a mild or even a second-degree burn because it can leave the skin discolored and makes it sensitive to light.

Conclusion

Poison oak usually grows in thickets in wooded areas, while poison sumac grows along stream banks and in dry, open fields. If you touch one of these plants, you might start to itch. This happens right away because the leaves and stems of the plant contain urushiol. It is essential to clean the area well and try not to rub the rash.

But if the rash lasts more than a few days, you should see a doctor because it could signify something worse. It's possible that the plant made you sick because you were allergic to it, or it could have just made you sick by poisoning you. The rash is usually itchy, but it can also be severe, cause swelling or blisters, and cause other uncomfortable symptoms. Most cases of contact dermatitis from these plants happen when the plants are sleeping in the dry season. So, it's best to stay away from these kinds of plants.

Updated on: 30-Jan-2023

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