How Does Poison Ivy Cause Itching?
Poison ivy produces an organic oil called Urushiol which causes an allergic skin rash on contact. This is known medically as urushiol-induced contact dermatitis. The skin rash causes intense itching and leads to the formation of blisters. Open blisters lead to sores and these sores can become infected. The urushiol produced by poison ivy is very potent and remains active for several years even after the plant is dead. How Does Poison Ivy Spread? The following are the ways by which poison ivy spreads in the body: • Contact with a poison ivy vine or shrub. • Contact with items such as clothing or tools that have been exposed to urushiol from poison ivy. • Contact with animal fur or animals that have been exposed to poison ivy. Animals are usually immune to poison ivy. • Inhalation of airborne urushiol which can occur when a lawnmower or trimmer is used to cut down a poison ivy bush. • Inhalation of smoke from a burning poison ivy plant. • Eating the poison ivy plant. Inhalation of urushi
