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Poison sumac leaves grow in clusters of seven to 13 leaves. They usually have one leaf at the end of the branch that sits by itself. Sumac leaves have smooth edges and are not saw-toothed, which distinguishes them from related plants.
Other symptoms include itching, burning of the skin or blisters, and blisters that crust or form ulcers. Most people say that the rash from poison sumac is worse than its cousins, Poison Ivy and Poison Oak. The rash will go away on its own eventually, but you can use calamine lotion and hydrocortisone cream to soothe your skin.
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Menthol has a cooling effect on skin and is a counter-irritant—a substance that distracts from the itch. It is an organic compound sourced from peppermint and other mint plants. While the rash itself isn't contagious, if it is not thoroughly washed off, contact with urushiol can spread the resin to someone else. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only.
An alternate method is to put the cucumbers in a food processor and create a paste which you apply to the affected area. Allow the paste to dry completely before rinsing off or allowing to wear off on its own. Mix into a paste and apply the paste over the affected area. Repeat this as often as necessary until the symptoms are relieved.
Skin Effects
EMedicineHealth does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Remember the oil can be transferred from people, pets, or objects. The rash usually starts as small red bumps and later develops blisters of variable size. It may look like red, bumpy lines or streaks on the skin.
Although it can take longer for the rash to develop after contact with the oil, a section of the skin exposed to more urushiol may develop the rash sooner. The plant also has loosely packed fruits that are gray or ivory-white in color. During the winter, sumac berries are yellow or white and green during summer. This plant is commonly found east of the Rocky Mountains. Its leaves can have either notched or smooth edges and they are often clustered in groups of three. You can also get relief from a steroid cream if you use it during the first few days after you get a rash.
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If a person has an extreme reaction to these plants, it is advisable they receive immediate medical attention if an exposure occurs. To avoid inhalation of the urushiol, do not burn plants that may be poisonous. Poison sumac grows as a small tree or tall shrub in swamps or bogs in the Midwest, Northeast, and parts of the Southeast. The leaves consist of clusters of 7–13 leaflets with smooth edges, which are green in summer, orange in the spring, and red, orange, or yellow in the fall.
Regardless of the weather, if you have to be in an area near poison sumac plants, wear long-sleeve shirts, long jeans, and boots. Tuck your jeans into your boots to prevent contact with the ground. If you garden in areas where the plant grows, wear impermeable gardening gloves to protect your hands. An excellent home remedy, which is very likely to be close at hand when you are camping or picnicking, is watermelon. The juice, similar to that of a banana peel, has vitamins, minerals, and enzymes that help reduce inflammation and soothe the itch and burning of poison sumac.
What To Do for an Allergic Reaction
The smoke from burning poison sumac contains urushiol. Inhaling the smoke can result in major breathing issues, especially in individuals who have pre-existing respiratory problems . For itchiness, apply calamine lotion, baking soda, or colloidal oatmeal to your skin.
Cold compress and massage can also be very good to treat itchy rashes as a result of poison sumac. Just take ice cubes and rub them gently over your entire body to get soothe from the severe itchy rash. Immediately rinse the skin with lots of cold water and soap. Warm water is not recommended as it may cause the oil to spread.
While some may prove to be very strong to the affected area and trigger the burning sensation. A good soap that you can apply to the affected area is Dawn Ultra Dishwashing Liquid. Applying alcohol is the best way to dry up rashes caused by this plant. Drying up the wound can accelerate the healing process.
Soaking your body for 30 minutes may cut down on the inflammation drastically. If you are not willing to apply it directly into bath water, then put some salt into clean cheesecloth and tie this stuff around the faucet of bath-tub. The running water will pass through it- having the same healing touch. Apart from placing it on top of your eye lids to reduce dark circles, sliced cucumber is one of the best home remedies for Poison Ivy/ Oak rashes.
A rash caused by poison sumac is due to contact with an oil found in the plant called urushiol. This is the same “poisonous” oil found in poison ivy and oak. It’s believed that about 85 percent of all people are allergic to urushiol.
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