Author Nik: BeccaGTaylor
Name: Becca G Taylor
When you think of poison ivy you may picture a plant that can be a nuisance, that gives you a rash and makes you itch for a while. It can be much worse than that. Some people must be hospitalized after coming in contact with it, and others have actually died.
Poison ivy is a woody vine that belongs to the family Anacardiaceae which is of the sumac family. It is the most common allergy to people in the United States, with more than half of the population being affected once in contact.
Toxicodendron radicans, commonly referred to as poison ivy, is frequently seen across much of the United States. Poison ivy is usually recognized for the intensely itchy rash that evolves on those who come into contact with the plant.
Poison ivy is a plant that looks like a weed plant. It can grow like a bush or it an grow up a tree. There are three leaflets that connect to the stem and they change colors including yellow, red and orange. Some plants have green flowers or sometimes berries that are a whitish tint.
Poison ivy rash is one of the most uncomfortable experiences a person can go through. The itching is very intense and it looks embarrassing. If you plan on spending any time outside, you should know what the plant looks like and where it is likely to grow. It is not an actual type of ivy but is rather a woody low-growing shrub that can on occasion climb up trees and buildings like regular ivy. Some people are naturally immune to it; most are not.