{"id":13212,"date":"2024-07-31T15:47:42","date_gmt":"2024-07-31T15:47:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.cooperhealth.org\/ehealth\/?p=13212"},"modified":"2024-07-31T19:07:08","modified_gmt":"2024-07-31T19:07:08","slug":"how-to-protect-yourself-from-common-plant-irritants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cooperhealth.org\/ehealth\/2024\/07\/31\/how-to-protect-yourself-from-common-plant-irritants\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Protect Yourself From Common Plant Irritants"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"How<\/p>\n

As summer unfolds, many of us find ourselves basking in the great outdoors\u2014gardening, hiking, camping, and diving into countless adventures. Immersing ourselves in nature is a fantastic<\/span><\/span> way to<\/span><\/span><\/span> boost <\/span><\/span>our physical and emotional well-being. However<\/span>, s<\/span>ome of <\/span><\/span>plants<\/span><\/span><\/span> can put a damper on our outdoor fun.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Para leer en Espa\u00f1ol, por favor haga clic aqu\u00ed<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cWhile most plants are pretty harmless, there are some that secrete oils or have characteristics that cause an allergic reaction in almost everyone,\u201d says <\/span>Patrick McMahon, MD<\/span><\/a>, a dermatologist at Cooper University Health Care<\/a>. \u201cThey irritate our skin and cause an uncomfortable rash known as contact dermatitis.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Common Offenders\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u201cLeaves of three, let it be,\u201d<\/span> is the ma<\/span>ntra most of us were taught<\/span> to help us <\/span>identify<\/span> which plants to avoid touching<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span> The <\/span><\/span><\/span>wise saying<\/span><\/span><\/span> applies to two of the <\/span>four<\/span> most common plants <\/span>that can cause<\/span> contact dermatitis.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Poison Ivy – <\/span><\/b>According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 80% to 90% of people who come into contact with poison ivy oil will get an itchy rash. Poison ivy grows as a shrub or a vine, and <\/span>each leaf has three leaflets. Poison ivy leaves turn reddish in the spring, green in the summer, and yellow, orange, or red in the fall. Even when leaves fall off in winter, the vine itself can cause irritation.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"\u201cIt doesn\u2019t take much \u2013 getting as little as 50 micrograms, an amount smaller than a grain of salt, on your skin is enough to cause an itchy, blistering rash,\u201d Dr. McMahon says.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you burn grass and leaves, oils from poison ivy can be carried in smoke and be a severe <\/span><\/span><\/span>respiratory irritant. S<\/span><\/span><\/span>o, be careful.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Poison Oak – <\/span><\/b>Poison oak leaves also have three leaflets, but with rounded tips. The undersides of the leaves are fuzzy and lighter in color than the top. Reaction symptoms are similar to those of poison ivy.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Poisons Sumac – <\/span><\/b>Poison sumac does not adhere to the \u201cleaves of three\u201d rule. Each leaf of the plant has between seven and 13 leaflets arranged in pairs. Contact with this plant\u2019s oil can also cause severe itching and blistering.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Giant Hogweed – <\/span><\/b>This massive plant, also known as giant cow parsley, is found in Maine, Wisconsin, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Oregon, and Washington.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTouching the sap can cause giant hogweed burns, leading to inflammation and severe redness,\u201d Dr. McMahon says. \u201cThe sap can also cause phototoxicity, making the skin and eyes highly sensitive to light.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Symptoms include inflammation, redness, blisters, peeling, permanent scarring, and vision problems if the sap gets in the eyes.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Garden Foes<\/h3>\n

Although many of the plants that cause contact dermatitis are native to our environment, even cultivated plants can irritate the skin. Handling the bulbs of tulip, daffodil, and hyacinth plants can result in redness, itching, and swelling. Handling vegetables such as tomato, rhubarb, peppers, and garlic can also cause contact dermatitis in some individuals.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to wear gloves and long sleeves when handling these plants, and it\u2019s a good idea to wash your hands and any exposed skin thoroughly after gardening.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What Contact Dermatitis Looks Like\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Contact dermatitis can <\/span>begin to appear anywhere from a few hours to a few days <\/span>after<\/span> exposure, <\/span>al<\/span>though it<\/span> usually <\/span>develops<\/span> in stages and peaks within one to <\/span>14 days<\/span>.<\/span> For some, it can last as<\/span> long as<\/span> <\/span>21 days (about 3<\/span><\/span><\/span> weeks)<\/span><\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cContact dermatitis starts as a rash and then forms blisters that are very uncomfortable, but scratching will only make things worse,\u201d Dr. McMahon says. \u201cScratching could break open the skin and cause a wound that could become infected, prolonging and complicating the problem.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How To Soothe the Itch\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Contact dermatitis caused by plants usually goes away on its own, unless the area gets infected. But there are things you can do to ease the discomfort.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n