Poisonous Plants: How to Stop the Spread of an Allergy from a Plant

Allergens are everywhere, and it would seem waiting on the opportune time to strike those who are susceptible to their effects. Poisonous plants within our environment such as the poison ivy, poison oak and goldenrod and known for dispersing their poisons oils which are of great discomfort to those on whose skin it ends up. If you do come in contact with a poisonous plant the best thing to do is take measures from stopping the allergen from spreading in your home. Here are some effective strategies you can use to achieve this.

1. Wash Your Skin

The oil from poisonous plants takes approximately 10 minutes before it goes to work and the skin breaks out in a rash. This time-frame may vary from one individual to the next, but the important thing is to get to some soap and water and start wash the affected area. Rubbing alcohol can also be used to wash the area. Washing your skin can greatly reduce the chances of you having a severe reaction.

If you had touched the plants with your hands take care to scrub under your nails properly. You can easily spread the poison to other parts of your body if it is on your hands.

2. Wash Your Clothes

If the poison got on to the clothes you were wearing you would want to get out of them as quickly as possible. Avoid going into the house with them as that would introduce the poison to the inside. If at all possible, take them off at the door and immediately wash them along with anything else you might have gotten the poison on. That includes everything you used/touched when you became contaminated and while cleaning up (shoes, towels, rags).

3. Take a Shower Not a Bath

It is best to take a shower to get the poison off your skin before you take a bath. Taking a bath will only cause the oil to spread in the water and then to the rest of your body, while a shower will cause it to wash away down the drain.

4. Tend to Your Pet

If you have a pet that was also exposed to the poison you should give him a bath using pet shampoo and water. The poison may not affect the pet, but they can easily take it inside and spread it wherever they go and to whoever touches them. Use a rubber glove when bathing the animal.

5. Wash Sports and Garden Items

Your sports items such as golf clubs, bats, balls as well as garden tools and equipment can easily introduce poisonous plant oils into your home. This can remain potent for as many as five years so take nothing for granted. Wash these items and any other outdoor items as often as you can to reduce the risk of spreading plant poison in your home.

The threat of encountering an allergen while doing an outdoor activity you enjoy should never stop you getting out there and doing just that – enjoy yourself. The important thing is to arm yourself with the necessary information to both avoid the allergen and how to deal with it if you do encounter it.

Neil Chrysler is always researching allergy treatments having suffered from a number of allergies since childhood himself. His articles appear on a number of allergy blogs around the web. Click the link to find out about Benadryl cream.

No Comments