POISON IVY

Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac are the most common cause of allergic reactions in the United States. Each year 10 to 50 million Americans develop an allergic rash after contact with these poison plants.

A sap that comes from these plants causes the rash. The name of this sap, urushiol, causes an allergic reaction. It is not really a poison. Not everyone reacts to urushiol. If you are allergic to it, though, you can get a skin rash when you:

• Touch poison ivy, poison oak or poison sumac.

• Touch clothing or shoes that have the sap on them.

• Touch pets that have the sap on them.

• Come in contact with the smoke of these burning plants.

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