Poison Ivy

Poison Ivy is so ubiquitous in the US that it floored me to learn some people simply are immune to its effects . Even worse, I've broken out in blisters only to have a few people tell me they never experienced the sensation of a reaction to the plant. Well, good for them. Me, that's another matter that I've still dealing with. Apparently a shot and long series of prednisone pills (a steroid hormone) of and hydroxyzine (a strong antihistamine) helps my body react in a manner less cumbersome.

There are a myths about poison ivy that are incorrect, yet like the poisonous vine itself, creep into conversations often. For the two or three people that will ever read this, in case you never knew:

• Eating poison ivy will not protect you from it in the future and is perhaps the worst idea I could imagine.


• By the time it itches, it does not spread on your skin; the resin already stimulated your immune system. It does not break out all at the same time due to variations in exposure and skin. (Thanks to Greg for telling me this, making me feel less guilty for scratching.)

Perhaps the worst fact of all? Not only does the irritating resin of the poison ivy remain potent for years, but "even an insect lighting upon a leaf can transfer the urishoil over to an unsuspecting human." Are you kidding me? We can take pictures of Mars but we cannot conquer our own backyards? At least it does not invade the land like the kudzu plant. How scary would this picture be if the plant in it made your body burst into blisters upon contact? I'll take solace in that I can avoid poison ivy with more diligence around the yard and with my work tools.