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Show Poison Ivy Menace i Ranges Wide During Summer A three leafed weed called toxicodendron by botanists, poison poi-son ivy by those Americans not allergic to it, and a variety of unprintable names by those who are, probably causes more vaca-tiontime vaca-tiontime misery than most other allergic ills combined. Poison ivy is found in every section of the United States. It grows in the form of clinging vines, trailing shrubs and upright up-right shrubs, and can usually be found just where you set down the picnic basket; in the woods to the left of the fairway if you hook or to the right if you slice; and on the bank of the stream where you've just caught a three pound trout. The leaves of the toxicodendron vary in length from one to four inches. They're green and glossy in summer time, red or russet in spring and fall. The fruit is white and waxy looking and resembles mistletoe. Although ivy poisoning has long been a basis for humor, it is not really a laughing matter, points out the Health News Institute. In-stitute. Approximately 50 per cent of white adult males are allergic to one or more of the members of the poison ivy family fam-ily ivy, poison oak or poison sumac. Each year more than 350,000 cases of skin poisoning are reported, ranging from mild itching to severe inflammation and large blisters. Although most cases of ivy poisoning are due to direct contact con-tact with the plant, some are caused by handling clothing or garden implements and even pets which have touched poison ivy. Some individuals are so sensitive sen-sitive to its allergy causing oils that exposure to a brush fire containing stalks or leaves of the plant will cause inflammation of the skin. Ivy poisoning is usually characterized char-acterized by a burning or itching sensation. In some cases it is followed by blisters, pustles or oozing sores all attended by constant itching. A severe attack can take weeks to heal. Symptoms Symp-toms may occur any time from a few hours to a week after contact. Luckily, pharmaceutical manufacturers manu-facturers have developed a wide variety of products for prevention preven-tion and treatment of poison ivy. Before going on vacation, ask your local pharmacist for information infor-mation about these products. If you do accidentally contract ivy poisoning and break out with large blisters or severe inflama-tion inflama-tion or develop a rash on your face or other sensitive body area, you should see a physician. He will be able to relieve the discomfort dis-comfort and guard against secondary sec-ondary infections. But the best treatment is to avoid poison ivy like poison. In the words of the old jingle, leaflets leaf-lets three, let it be." |