Hazardous Plants
Ohio is home to several hazardous plants. By "hazardous" I am referring to those plants that can harm you solely by brushing against them. I am not referring to those plants that are poisonous to eat (for a listing of those, try HERE or HERE) nor am I referring to plants that are sharp or thorny (if you run into those, then use a band-aid and hope that nobody sees you). We are certainly blessed with those as well, but the plants I am referring to are more stealthy in the damage that they do.
The hazardous plants I am referring to are as follows: Poison Ivy, Poison Sumac, and Nettles.
Poison Ivy
Poison Ivy is the most common hazardous plant that we encounter in Ohio. It is found in all Ohio counties and grows most prevalently along trails, up the base of trees, and along the edges of woods. The oil from Poison Ivy is known as Urushiol - it can be transferred between objects numerous times and is present on the leaves, stems, berries, and roots of the plants (even on the hairy, brown vines in the wintertime). Usually we get Poison Ivy by brushing against the plant, or by removing our socks or boots that touched the plant while hiking. It is easily identified by noticing the three leaves that meet in a red stem. A common five-leaved plant (Virginia Creeper) is often mistaken for Poison Ivy - we remember the difference by the saying "Leaves of three, let it be; leaves of five, let it thrive" as Virginia Creeper is a non-hazardous plant (although the berries are toxic if consumed). The usual reaction to Urushiol Oil is small bumps and an itchy pink rash - it commonly occurs between 12 and 24 hours after exposure.
For some excellent info about Poison Ivy from Wikipedia, click HERE.
For a close-up of what Poison Ivy looks like, click HERE.
For a close-up of what Virginia Creeper looks like, click HERE.
Frequently Asked Questions About Poison Ivy:
What do I do if I accidentally touch Poison Ivy?
Wash your hands and any exposed parts with soap and water as rapidly as possible. If you have access to an alcohol such as hand sanitizer that will work even better to remove the oil. Put any clothing that came into contact in the wash. Thoroughly clean boots or shoes with soap and water while wearing latex gloves if you walk through it. Do not touch anyone else, as the oil transfers numerous times. If a rash develops (usually within 12 - 24 hours) you may need to use some over-the-counter treatments.
Can't I wash the oil away after a few hours?
Not entirely - Urushiol Oil will bond with the upper layers of the skin and becomes very hard to remove. Cleaning the exposed area will help contain the reaction and will prevent you from spreading it to others, however. Solvents such as alcohols (hand sanitizer) have been shown to remove some of the oil from the upper layers of the skin.
What if I'm immune to Poison Ivy?
You can still spread the oil to those that ARE allergic to Poison Ivy, and some folks are highly allergic so it's very important that you take care to avoid the plant. In addition, allergies within the body adjust over time and you may well become allergic. In fact, studies have shown that the more often you are exposed to the oil the more likely it is for your "immunity" to break down. So get out of that Poison Ivy patch, ya jerk!
What about Poison Oak?
It doesn't grow in Ohio. I know, I know... Grandma specifically told you to avoid the Poison Oak by the old farmhouse, right? Granny was wrong. Poison Ivy leaves change into many different shapes (they can be wavey, smooth-edged, single lobed, mitten shaped, and even oak-leaf shaped). It also changes color - from green, to orange, to red, to yellow, to brown. When Poison Ivy grows in hot, dry climates it usually takes on an oak-shaped leaf leading to the confusion. Knowledge about this is so misunderstood that even many official sources confuse the information. For a look at the distribution to the two poison oaks in America, click on the links here - Pacific Poison Oak and Atlantic Poison Oak - distribution information provided by the PLANTS database of the United States Department of Agriculture.
Can I burn Poison Ivy? Can I weedwhack it?
Both would be a very, very bad idea. Burning Poison Ivy (even the dry, brown vine) can release the oils into the air. These oils can then be breathed in and an allergic reaction can form on the throat and even into the lungs. This can be very dangerous as it can cause the trachea to close in severe cases. To be safe you should NEVER burn wood with vines wrapped around it, or in fire pits where there are dead vines. Weedwhacking poison ivy will cause the oil to be sprayed in all directions, including onto your pants and shoes. The best way to kill it is with chemical sprays.
Are there any treatments that don't involve going to the doctor?
In the wild a common plant named Jewelweed has been known to relieve the itching and even dry up the reaction (in fact, it was proven as effective as corticosteroids in a clinical study back in 1958). Oatmeal baths can temporarily relieve the itching, as can very hot showers. Chlorinated swimming pools help to dry up the reaction and have been known to help with the itching. For a closeup of Jewelweed click HERE. Calamine lotion and Tecnu are commonly used over-the-counter medications for Poison Ivy.
Does Poison Ivy grow on the ground, or just in vines?
Both! There is the climbing variety (toxicodendron radicans) and a nonclimbing (toxicodendron rydbergii) variety of Poison Ivy. However, they interbreed, look similar, often grow in the same places, and give you the same rash.
Can I spread Poison Ivy by breaking it open or itching it?
No - these are old wives tales. The harmful oil isn't contained in the watery pockets that occur over the infection site. That said, scratching these CAN cause permanent scarring and will increase the chance of your wounds becoming infected. If the treatments listed above don't work you should consider a trip to the doctor.
Poison Sumac
Poison Sumac is actually a small tree - it grows only rarely in Ohio, primarily in Geauga, Cuyahoga, Wayne, Wyandot, Licking, and Fairfield counties - especially in swamps or bogs. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, Poison Sumac does grow in Richland County, but I confess that I've never personally seen it. Poison Sumac is considered by many to be the most toxic plant in the United States. The reaction to its poison generally emerges as painful swelling and eruptions. There are many "friendly" sumacs that grow in our area, such as Staghorn Sumac which has berries that can be dried and made into a pink lemonade.
For more information about Poison Sumac, click HERE.
For a close-up of Poison Sumac, click HERE.
For a close-up of Staghorn Sumac (not harmful), click HERE.
Stinging Nettles
Stinging nettles occurs throughout most counties in Ohio, including Richland. It has small spines that carry numerous histamines and acids - brushing against the plant results in these spines causing a painful, itchy reaction on the skin. It pinkens the skin, and rubbing it will probably further irritate the reaction site. LIke Poison Ivy, Jewelweed helps to alleviate the itching and pain - simply break up the stalks and leaves and rub the juices of the plant over the affected area.
For more information about Nettles, click HERE.
For a close-up of Stinging Nettles, click HERE.
For a look at the stalk of the Stinging Nettles plant, click HERE.