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Myth #1: Scratching
poison ivy blisters will spread the rash.
Fact: The rash is caused
by the urushiol oil found in poison ivy, oak and sumac and is not
spread by the fluid in the blisters. If you have the urushiol oil on
your hands and you scratch your nose or wipe your forehead, you may
spread the oil and hence the rash. Avoid excessive scratching and
make sure your fingernails and hands are clean.
Myth #2: Poison ivy rash is
“contagious.”
Fact: The rash is a
reaction to urushiol oil found in poison ivy, oak and sumac. The
rash cannot pass from person to person, but urushiol can be spread
by contact.
Myth #3: Once allergic,
always allergic to poison ivy.
Fact: A person's
sensitivity to urushiol changes over time, and even from season to
season. People who were sensitive to poison ivy as children may not
be allergic as adults and vice versa.
Myth #4: I've been in
contact with poison ivy before and I'm not allergic to it.
Fact: If a person has
come in contact with poison ivy once and did not get a rash, it does
not mean that he or she will always be immune. The first time a
person is exposed to poison ivy he or she cannot get a rash. The
first contact, which can occur without a person ever knowing, may
create a hypersensitivity to the urushiol oil without causing a
rash.
Myth #5: Dead poison
ivy plants are no longer toxic.
Fact: Urushiol oil stays
active on any surface, including dead plants, for up to five years
or longer.
Myth #6: You can catch
poison ivy rash by being near the plants.
Fact: Direct contact
with urushiol oil is needed. However, it is important to stay away
from forest fires, direct burning or anything that causes the oil to
become airborne such as a lawnmower or weed whacker.
Myth #7: Keeping covered
outdoors will prevent poison ivy rash.
Fact: While keeping
covered in the outdoors is crucial, it is not a foolproof way to
protect your skin against developing a poison ivy rash. Urushiol oil
can stick to clothes, shoes, garden tools and sporting equipment
that you touch, and inadvertently spread to uncovered parts of your
body.
Myth #8: You have to touch a
poison ivy, oak or sumac plant to get a rash.
Fact: The most common
way people contract an allergic rash from these plants is by
touching an item that has urushiol oil on it, including garden
tools, camping equipment, boots and even pet fur. Since urushiol can
stay active for years, it’s important to wash any item that has come
in contact with poison oak, ivy or sumac with soap and water, or use
a cleaner such as IvyCleanse.
Myth #9: “Leaves of
three, leave them be.”
Fact: This is true for
poison ivy, but not poison oak and poison sumac. Although poison ivy
has 3 leaves per cluster, poison oak has 3 to 5 leaves, and poison
sumac has 7 to 13 leaves on a branch.
Myth #10: Besides complete
avoidance, there's no way to prevent poison ivy rash.
Fact: When applied to
the skin before contact, IvyBlock is the only FDA-approved lotion
that can prevent the rashes caused by poison ivy, oak and sumac. |
