With plants blooming, and golfers hitting the links, it is a good time to warn you about poison ivy.
Dr. Susan Fedewa at the 98.6 Emergicenter is seeing patients who've gotten into it. The oil on the plant causes a skin rash that can be mild or severe depending on how sensitive you are to it.
Symptoms include swelling, itching and painful blisters. Doctors can give you steroids to help control the reaction. You should see someone even if the rash isn't too bad because poison ivy can lead to a secondary infection called cellulitis.
The most-important thing is to learn to identify the plant and stay away from it. The saying "leaves of three, let it be" is a good guideline, but it's not a guarantee.
The oil is on the leaves, roots and branches of the poison ivy plant. It can get on your skin from direct contact from clothes and from pet fur.
You can get rid of poison ivy with weed killer. Do not try to burn it. That will make the sap airborne and the reaction will be a lot worse if it gets into your eyes, nose, mouth or lungs.
