This is the time of year for mountain biking in short sleeves and shorts and for canoeing between Ivy covered banks, and for the dreaded itch that only poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac can cause. Actually people have broken through snow cover and contracted poison Ivy infections so anytime of year is dangerous. And only humans are affected. Lucky us.
The offender is Urushoil, an oil of about the consistency of 3 in 1 oil found in and on the leaves, berries and roots of the plant. The oil causes an eruption on the skin that takes about two weeks to heal. In wide spread or large area cases a trip to the Doctors' office is the advised correction.
Some perceptions:
"My friend gets poison Ivy just by walking near a patch. Does it give off a gas?"
A person must get the oil on their skin to be infected, there is no gas. Perhaps a pet who romped in the plants then rubbed against your friend spread the oil. Or they may have used seasonal equipment that had Urushoil on it. Or they may have handled an ATB tire after running over a plant. The only exception may be in smoke. Urushoil splattered onto a particle of smoke may travel downwind to a victim. The US Forestry service loses about 1/3 of its firefighters to poison Ivy infection in this way.
"I never get poison Ivy. Am I immune to infection?"
Maybe, but only 10%-15% of the population is immune to Urushoil infection. More likely you just haven't gotten the oil on your skin. Once you get infected you will become even more susceptible.
"Do the draining sores of the infection spread the eruption?"
No, once the eruption occurs the chemistry of the infection changes and no future infection is possible. What you are seeing is a later reaction to the original contact.
YOU'RE GOING TO NEED AN OCEAN OF CALAMINE LOTION!
WHAT TO DO! WHAT TO DO!
Learn to recognize the plants "Leaves of three, let it be."
Before riding my Mt. bike I spread a clear, thin, oil, "ARMOR" (Hunter's Crossing Publix) on exposed skin. It seems to act as an insect repellent also.
After riding I shower with LOTS of water and a liquid soap called "TEACNU" (Eckerd $5.00). Wipe suspected handle grips, tires, etc. with alcohol. The oil stays on for months (years?) otherwise and will re-infect you. Do not use alcohol wipes. They do not contain enough alcohol and they will spread the oil.
If you do experience blisters apply one of the soothing lotions. I use a product called "CALAGEL" ($5.00 Eckerd).
Finally, a deep infection can be treated by a Doctors' prescription. A six day pill series cost about $35. Ask for the generic version: about $5.
There is more: read "Natures Revenge" by Susan Hauser. This small book reads easily and will bring you the latest information on the problem. It is at your public library.
By the way, the "Seven Year Itch" is an entirely different phenomenon and cannot be treated as explained here.