Poison Ivy Infection

The Poison Ivy plant can be found practically almost all around the continental United States and along southern Canada but not at the west coast. The plant is identified by its shiny leaf of three with a slight reddish shade. Contact with this plant is extremely avoided because of the potential allergic reaction that may lead to systemic rashes or even Poison Ivy infection. This is why it is highly recommended that once you realize that you have come in contact with the plant to take immediate measures to prevent the possibility of Poison Ivy infection. It is also recommended that you regularly take Poison Ivy extract capsules if you believe that you are highly susceptible to an allergic reaction to the plant.

Aside from physical contact with the plant, inhaling smoke from a bush fire which contains the plant may also lead to far greater health risk than Poison Ivy infection. Inhaling the smoke can cause serious respiratory problems that may lead to difficulty in breathing which may require you to be admitted to a medical facility. If you intend to burning leaves or bushes make sure that there is no Poison Ivy in it before starting the fire. It must be understood that the possibility of an allergic rash becoming a Poison Ivy infection is so great because of the potential of contracting the allergy over and over. The reason behind this is that people tend to forget that the allergic reactant for the Poison Ivy plant is its invisible sap which is considered as very potent and can be easily transferred.

Basically, the rashes brought about by the Poison Ivy allergy lasts anywhere from one to four weeks and should not continue to break out to other areas after 72 hours. The only reason that this happens is that because objects like garden tools, clothes, shoes, and other materials which have become carriers of the sap remain unclean. This is why the allergy keeps on repeating and may lead to Poison Ivy infection. It must be understood that the blister fluid is not a sign of the Poison Ivy infection nor is it contagious since it does not contain any sap. The yellowish or whitish fluid comes from your body and is part of the cleaning process of your system. Do not burst the blister intentionally because it may lead to other possible health risks.

Poison Ivy infection normally results in tenderness, pain, pus, or increasing redness around the area of the rashes. To make sure that it is Poison Ivy infection, examine the immediate area for the mentioned symptoms. Make sure not to scratch the affected area because this may aggravate the skin infection. Keep your fingernails short to prevent any accidental scratching or bursting of the blisters caused by the Poison Ivy plant. Once you have confirmed that it is an infection, contact your doctor immediately so that he can prescribe you with medications to counteract it. You can also ask your pharmacist for over the counter treatments or use home remedies as first aid to prevent the infection from spreading.