Leaves of Three, Let It Be By Doug Coffey, Fairfax Master Gardener Intern My neighbor, an Iranian immigrant, decided to remove a large bush maybe 4 to 5 feet tall and nearly as wide between our properties. I had ignored it, knowing it was so covered in poison ivy that the original plant was unrecognizable. I decided it was better to leave the “bush” alone until I could figure out how to get rid of it. But my neighbor, not consulting with me and not knowing the risks, got out a shovel, dug it up, pulled it out, cut it into pieces and hauled it to the curb. Within Brandeia University hours, he was in the emergency room and then several days after in the hospital getting massive doses of photo: steroids. He was so uncomfortable with the extensive blistering, rash and itching that he couldn’t even find a way to sleep. 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For people who have never been exposed or are not yet allergic to urushiol, it may take 10 to 21 days for a reaction to occur the first time. Once allergic to urushiol, however, most people break out 48 to 72 hours after contact with the oil. Typically, individuals have been exposed at least once, if not several times, before they develop a rash. The rash typically persists one to two weeks, but in some cases may last up to five weeks. The rash itself is not contagious and does not spread. It might seem to spread, but is really a Poison ivy fall color delayed reaction. The rash takes one to two weeks to run its course and in severe exposure cases, may Fairfax County Master Gardeners Association, Inc. | © 2017 cause scars. Severe cases involve small (1–2 mm), clear, fluid-filled blisters on the skin. Pus-filled vesicles containing a whitish fluid may indicate an infection. Excessive scratching may result in an infection that requires antibiotics. People vary greatly in their sensitivity to urushiol but approximately 80 percent to 90 percent of adults will commonly get a rash if they are exposed to even a small amount of the oil. In terms of health emergencies, poison ivy leads the vegetative world, accounting for the most doctor and emergency room visits each year. Primary treatment involves washing exposed skin thoroughly with soap, cool water and friction as soon as possible after exposure is discovered. Before the urushiol has been absorbed by the skin, it can be removed by washing the exposed area with cool water. However, time is of the essence, as 50 percent of the urushiol can be absorbed within 10 minutes.