Health Tip: Prevent Exposure to Poison Ivy

Avoid other problematic plants, too

April 27, 2010 RSS Feed Print

(HealthDay News) -- Poison ivy, poison sumac and poison oak are all plants that can cause a reaction -- an unpleasant rash on the skin -- when people touch them.

The American Academy of Dermatology lists these suggestions to help prevent exposure:

Learn how to identify these plants.
Keep skin covered with gloves, boots, long pants and long-sleeved shirts when you're working outdoors.
Before heading outside to work, rub an over-the-counter barrier cream into the skin that contains the ingredient bentoquatum, which can keep the irritants in these plants from getting into the skin.
Don't burn these plants.
Don't touch any animal, person or object that could have come into contact with these plants, including gardening equipment or sports equipment.