Q&A for How to Identify Poison Ivy

The best way to get rid of poison ivy is to simply dig it up and dispose of it, though you should be extremely careful that you do not come into contact with the plant or anything the plant has touched, especially if you are sensitive. A safer option is to use a spray-on herbicide, a natural option is St Gabriel Labs' Poison Ivy Defoliant®, but a glyphosphate-based herbicide like Roundup™ will also be effective. Observe the area and take care of any that tries to grow back.

Poison ivy rashes cause your skin to swell and turn red, sometimes with blisters forming if there is a greater exposure or you are sensitive to it. You can expect itching as well.

You've got several options to kill poison ivy naturally , but the most effective methods involve digging it up. If you do decide to dig it up, you should exercise extreme caution so that you do not come into contact with the plant or anything the plant has touched.

Check out the helpful advice in this article about getting rid of poison ivy plants on wikiHow.

If you burn poison ivy, anyone who inhales the smoke or fumes can develop a serious lung problem. Do not burn poison ivy, poison oak or poison sumac.

Yes, not just the leaves can cause a rash. If you see poison ivy or a plant that looks like it may be poison ivy, you should avoid touching it if possible. The berries, leaves, and even the vines can cause rash. In winter, the leaves can fall leaving bare vines that you should avoid if possible.

Fels Naptha soap will wash off the volatile oils and calamine lotion will relieve the itch.

It can't grow into a tree, but it may appear to do so because it can wrap around a tree like a vine.

You should carefully place your clothes into the wash as soon as you get home, and clean them.

Use any cream with cortisone. It won't end it sooner, but the cream relieves the itch.

Check the leaves. Or are there even any leaves at all? Is it a vine, or does it just sprout up out of the ground?

Yes, but the bigger risk is that your dog transfers the oil to you. If you take the dog someplace with poison ivy, rub the dog down with a towel when you get home, then immediately wash the towel and wash your hands.

Yes, especially for people with sensitive skin. Just brushing against someone else with the oil on their skin can cause a rash for some.

The whole vine and leaves will both give you a rash as soon as you come in contact with it.

It could have red stems, especially in the fall.

As long as you have taken care to wash the oils off first, yes. You can wash the oils off with cold water and any soap. The rash itself is not contagious.

Don't even TRY to smell it; the spores could possibly get into your lungs. It does not have a scent strong enough for humans to identify.

Poison ivy grows throughout the U.S. with the exception of Alaska and Hawaii, usually along the edges of lakes and rivers or heavily-wooded areas.

Poison ivy leaves can be smooth or notched. Look for the telltale leaves of three with the side leaves coming right off of the stalk, and the sharp tips.

In my experience, no, it usually takes a few hours for you to start feeling the effects.

Poison sumac has 7 to 13 leaflets per leaf stem. The leaves have smooth edges and pointed tips. Poison sumac grows as a shrub or small tree.

The oil can only be spread by wind if you burn the poison ivy. Burning poison ivy is dangerous and can cause damage to your lungs.

It might be. Look up "poison ivy rash" on Google and then click the "Images" option. Look at the pictures and see how they compare to the rash you have.

Yes! I noticed these small flowers which were indeed purple and lavender. They start out purple and look like orchids, then they turn yellow, at least that's the case with the strain I have growing in my garden.

Killing poison ivy with chemical herbicides is faster than organic pulling, but even the strongest herbicides must be applied several times before being able to fully eradicate poison ivy. Both glyphosate herbicides (Round-up) or triclopyr herbdes (Brush-B-Gon) are good poison ivy killers.

Wrap them in a paper bag and one of those big outdoor garbage bags. Then, toss them in the trash bin to go out. Make sure to wear gloves and long sleeves! When you're finished, wash your clothes in hot water and take a shower.

It depends on the person and what you do for treatment. It can last anywhere from several days to several weeks, but you can consult with your doctor on which topical creams will help make it go away sooner.

No, it cannot. The toxin is contained in the oil of the plant, which is not spread by wind.

Usually a week or two. In some severe cases it can last as long as a month. If it lasts longer than two weeks, you should see your doctor.

Depending on your skin type, from 48 hours to 6 or 7 days. It often appears as a small rash and gradually spreads over time.