Q. What causes an allergic reaction?
The resin in the plants contains an oily substance called urushiol. Urushiol is easily transferred from the plants to other objects, including toys, garments, and animals. This chemical can remain active for a year or longer. It is important to know that the oils can also be transferred from pets and can be present in the smoke from a burning plant.

Q. What are the symptoms of an allergic reaction to poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac?
The reaction is usually contact dermatitis, which may occur several hours, days, or even weeks after exposure. The dermatitis is characterized by a rash followed by bumps and blisters that itch. Sometimes swelling occurs in the area of contact. Eventually, the blisters break, ooze, and then crust over.

Q. Should you burn poison ivy to get rid of it?
Definitely NOT. Burning poison ivy puts the urushiol resin in the air and can give you poison ivy in your lungs and possibly your neighbor's lungs. If you get poison ivy in your lungs, you will need to go to the hospital.

Q. To wash off the urushiol resin (the stuff that causes the rash), should you use hot or cold water?
Use cold or cool water to wash off the resin. Using hot water causes your skin pores to open and thus absorb more of the oil.

Q. Is poison oak contagious?
Poison oak cannot be spread from person to person by touching the blisters, or from the fluid inside the blisters. It can be spread, however, if the oils remain on the skin, clothes, or shoes.

Treatment Sumactin™ is the strongest natural poison ivy, oak and sumac solution available anywhere with or without a prescription. Sumactin™ begins working as soon as it is applied to the infected area and instantly alleviates the itching and burning sensation caused by poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. More Info

Pet Alert!

The only threat to resin on our pets is if it is rubbed off onto other things or people. If your pet merely has the bumps and is itching, you can not catch it from them. The irritants found in urushiol oil do not effect most animals, but you may want to wash your pet with a mild soap.