Poison Ivy
One of the unpleasant concerns we deal with in this area is poison ivy. The oils in the poison ivy plant cause a blistering rash accompanied by intense itching and burning.
The first blisters accompanied by very mild itching appear about 48 hours after exposure.
Direct contact with a living plant may not be the source of exposure. The oils may be acquired from pets, soccer balls, laundry, raking leaves and applying mulch. Hunting clothes or fishing tackle brought out of storage can also cause the blistering.
The poison ivy oils form a chemical bond with the skin in about 90 minutes. Most bar “soap” is really detergent, and cannot remove the oils once the chemical bonds are formed. True soaps can remove the oils even 48 hours after exposure. The only true soaps we have found for sale in this area are Fels Naptha (at Giant) and Octagon (at Food Lion).
Blue Heron Services recommends that
anytime one has possible exposure to poison
ivy they should shower with one of
the true soaps.
The poison ivy pictured above has blackberry
vines mixed with it. Both have three
leaves. Blackberry leaves have many more
indentations and much more ridging.