What poisonous plant is making me itch?

wellness

Posted: August 24, 2015

Wondering which plant is the root cause of your summer rash? Look no further to better understand each plant rash. Below is a quick guide to the most popular poisonous plants in central Wisconsin.   [caption id="attachment_6573" align="alignright" width="350"]sprig of poison ivy Poison Ivy[/caption]

Poison Ivy

Location: Pastures, roadsides, damp forests. Description – Leaves: Divided into three green leaflets, vary in size, shape and appearance, may turn yellow, orange or red in fall. Flowers: Greenish-yellow in clusters near the stem. Fruit: Yellowish-white round berry with stripes. Poison oak looks similar but with more lobes on the leaflets. Toxin – Roots, stems leaves, flowers and fruit contain oils that cause skin irritation and blisters. Symptoms occur within 24 hours of exposure. Treatment – Wash with regular or specialized soap (such as Tecnu) and water ASAP to prevent rash. Care My Way® gives quick treatment for common conditions like poison ivy rashes. Download the app to get started.   [caption id="attachment_6574" align="alignleft" width="350"]poison sumac bush Poison Sumac[/caption]

Poison sumac

Location – Wet areas such as floodplains, swamps and bogs. Description – Shrub or small tree, 5- to 25-feet high. Leaves: Seven to 13 leaflets glossy green on top and pale green on bottom. Fruit: Ivory to pale green and hang in about 8-inch long loose clusters. Toxin – Contact causes blisters with 24 hours. Treatment –Wash with soap and water ASAP. Photo by Norman Melvin, hosted by the USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database    [caption id="attachment_6576" align="alignright" width="350"]flower of a wild parsnip Wild parsnip[/caption]

Wild parsnip

Location – Roadside ditches, wasteland and ungrazed grassland. Description – Stem: 3-to 5-feet tall. Flowers: Five yellow pedals arranged in clusters. Leaves: Toothed margins and alternate along the stem. Toxin: Plant sap from broken leaves or stems touches skin. Can turn affected area red like a sunburn. In serious cases, the skin turns red then blisters. If sap on skin is exposed to sunlight, it can form blisters. Treatment: Wash ASAP, burning is relieved by covering affected area with cool, wet cloth. Avoid rupturing blisters. Contact doctor if extensive blistering.   [caption id="attachment_6575" align="alignleft" width="350"]view from above of stinging nettles Stinging Nettles[/caption]

Stinging nettles

Location: Grows in full sun in damp, fertile soil such as in canals, barnyards and fencelines. Description: Perennial plant 2-to7-feet tall. Stem: Square, rigid and covered with stinging hairs. Leaves: Dark green and opposite of each other on stem, 3-to 6-inches long, sawtooth edges and stinging hairs. Toxin: Stinging hairs can cause welts, inflammation and a burning sensation on contact. Treatment: Remove hairs with tape or tweezers. Cooling creams, lotions and anti-itch creams reduce symptoms. If you have been outside in hot sun, your skin rash may also be caused heat rash.  Read our post about heat rash for more information.   [divider]

For questions about rashes, talk to a Marshfield Clinic Health System provider.

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