Common Poisonous Plants of the Summer

The sap from poison ivy, oak and sumac plants can cause a rash, burning, and itching if touched. If you come in contact with the sap, a skin rash may develop within a few hours to two days. The rash usually takes one to two weeks to go away. In some people, the sap can cause an allergic reaction.

If you touch poison ivy, oak, or sumac, wash the area with warm, soapy water right away. Wash any clothing and gardening equipment you think may have sap on it. If you do not get all of the sap washed off, it may get on other parts of your body or on other people. This can spread the rash. You cannot get the rash from touching another person's rash. You can only get the rash from touching the sap.

Try not to scratch your rash since this can cause an infection. Calamine lotion may help you feel better. It will not make the rash go away. If you get a rash or an infection, call your doctor.

To avoid these plants, know what they look like:
* Poison ivy has shiny green leaves that grow in groups of three. Poison ivy may grow as a vine or as a low shrub.
* Poison oak also has leaves grouped in three. It grows as a low shrub, which may have clusters of green or white berries.
* Poison sumac has 7-13 leaves found in pairs with a single leaf at the end. These long, smooth leaves are bright orange and velvet-like in the spring. They become dark green and glossy on top and light green underneath. Sumac grows as a tree in swampy areas.

To avoid touching these plants, keep covered up while outdoors! Wear long pants, long sleeves and gloves when working in your yard. Stay on trails while hiking or camping in the woods!

Contact with or breathing the smoke from burning poison ivy, oak, or sumac can cause a reaction. Do not burn poison ivy, oak, or sumac.

For more information or if you have a poisoning emergency call the Georgia Poison Center 24-hour emergency hotline at 1-800-222-1222.

Source: Georgia Poison Center

Debbie Wilburn is County Agent/Family and Consumer Science Agent with the Hall (770)535-8290 and the Forsyth (770)887-2418 County Extension Service.