How to have fun outside, stay itch-free

Warm, sunny days may tempt you to spend time outdoors, but if you're allergic to poison ivy, oak or sumac, being outside can become a hassle. Dr. Jody Hanson, a dermatologist at Tennessee Valley Dermatology in Florence, spoke with TimesDaily Staff Writer Michelle Eubanks about how to stay itch-free.

Q: What's the best way to avoid a poison ivy outbreak?

A: Avoidance. Being able to recognize the plant(s) is of paramount importance. Those allergic to urushiol allergen should familiarize themselves with the classic appearance of poison ivy, oak and sumac and stay clear of any plants with a similar appearance. The old saying "leaves of three, let them be" still pertains.

Q: If you're allergic to poison ivy, are you automatically allergic to poison oak and poison sumac?

A: While the allergens, the urushiols, of the three plants are not identical, they are sufficiently similar in chemical composition for a person allergic to one to react to all three. The root cause of the reaction is sensitivity and sensitization with resultant delayed type hypersensitivity upon exposure to the urushiol allergen.

Q: Does poison ivy go into hibernation so that it's safe to be outside?

A: Urushiol is found not only in plant leaves but also in the stems and roots. Therefore, even if the plants have lost their leaves, contact with the allergen is still possible.

Q: What's the best treatment?

A: Prompt decontamination with soap and water is a must. Use of rubbing alcohol may be beneficial in cleansing the urushiol allergen from the skin. This is most helpful if done within the first several minutes of exposure. If the reaction is mild, use of cold compresses, calamine lotion, oatmeal soaks and diluted vinegar soaks may suffice. If severe, treatment with potent topical or systemic corticosteroiods will most likely be warranted.

Q: Is it true that climatic changes may have caused the oil in poison ivy to be even more of an allergen?

A: A study performed last year using poison ivy/oak plants suggested that higher carbon dioxide levels lead to increases in plant size, rate of growth and potency of oil. The data came from controlled laboratory studies.

Q: Can the rash be spread by scratching it?

A: Not if the allergen has been washed from the surface of the skin. Once the allergen has been removed, no further allergic reaction will be induced. The only way to spread the rash is subsequent re-exposure. If items of clothing, gardening tools, etc., are contaminated and not washed, re-exposure may occur. But the myth of spreading a rash by coming in contact with fluid from vesicles is just that, a myth. Remember, these reactions may take up to 10 days to become complete, depending on one's sensitivity and the extent of the contact.