Boy Scouts of America

Poisonous Plants

SUMMARY

Millions of Americans—many of them Scouts and Scouters—will be affected by poisonous plants each year. Almost everyone has heard the warning “leaves of three, let it be.” Despite training to identify them on sight and efforts to avoid them, almost everyone has stumbled through a patch of poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac, or one of several other plants that can cause an uncomfortable itch, a rash, and often blisters.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Urushiol, an oil in poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac is the principal cause of the rash. It is found in the fruit, leaves, stem, and root of the plant, and 50-75% of people are allergic to it. These plants grow in all 48 of the continental U.S. states. A rash will generally develop on skin that comes into contact with the plant in one to four days and may last for up to three weeks.

As with many things, avoidance of exposure is the best action. Take a careful look where you camp or picnic and be sure to point out the plants to those who are not familiar with them. If you’ve walked through the plants, avoid contact with your shoes and pants, as the oil can rub off of materials and onto you. Don’t use wood with hairy vines attached to it in your campfires. Smoke from these plants can spread the oil and even create allergic reactions in airways and the eyes.

If you think you’ve been exposed, you have a limited amount of time to wash off the urushiol before it affects you. Use soap and water or a specially designed product (like Zanfel®, Ivy Wash®, or Tecnu®) that has been formulated to more fully remove the urushiol, especially when used within a few hours of exposure. Washing with soap and water for up to 30 minutes will remove up to 90% of the oil and decrease the possibility of an allergic response.

If you’re not successful in removing the urushiol, a rash can develop wherever you’ve come in contact with it. The rash isn’t contagious and can’t be spread by the oozing of a blister.

For a mild rash, both hydrocortisone cream and calamine lotion work well to reduce the itching, as does cool water, oatmeal bath or even a swim. Antihistamine creams or lotions are not recommended, but oral antihistamines (like Benadryl®) may help ease itchiness or help one sleep at night. Scouts and Scouters should seek medical attention if the rash covers more than 10% of the body, if signs of an infection appear, or if the rash gets close to the eyes.

RESOURCES

 

Reviewed March 21st 2024. 

Bray Barnes

Director, Global Security Innovative
Strategies

Bray Barnes is a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, Silver
Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Learning for Life Distinguished
Service Award. He received the Messengers of Peace Hero award from
the royal family of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and he’s a life member of
the 101st Airborne Association and Vietnam Veterans Association. Barnes
serves as a senior fellow for the Global Federation of Competitiveness
Councils, a nonpartisan network of corporate CEOs, university presidents, and
national laboratory directors. He has also served as a senior executive for the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, leading the first-responder program
and has two U.S. presidential appointments

David Alexander

Managing Member Calje

David Alexander is a Baden-Powell Fellow, Summit Bechtel Reserve philanthropist, and recipient of the Silver Buffalo and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the founder of Caljet, one of the largest independent motor fuels terminals in the U.S. He has served the Arizona Petroleum Marketers Association, Teen Lifeline, and American Heart Association. A triathlete who has completed hundreds of races, Alexander has also mentored the women’s triathlon team at Arizona State University.

Glenn Adams

President, CEO & Managing Director
Stonetex Oil Corp.

Glenn Adams is a recipient of the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the former president of the National Eagle Scout Association and established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award. He has more than 40 years of experience in the oil, gas, and energy fields, including serving as a president, owner, and CEO. Adams has also received multiple service awards from the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers.