Sign: Challenged Breathing
Experiencing difficulty breathing can be one of the symptoms associated with poison ivy exposure. This is particularly true if someone inhales the smoke emitted by a burning poison ivy plant. The urushiol oil found in poison ivy can inflict harm on the lungs and nasal passages. When the plant is set ablaze, the airborne oils can trigger rashes all over the body, even inside the mouth. Inflammation of the lungs or the lining of the throat can lead to breathing difficulties. Furthermore, urushiol has the ability to travel through the bloodstream and induce fevers. If left untreated, these reactions have the potential to be life-threatening.
Treatment: Rubbing Alcohol
Using rubbing alcohol is a useful method to alleviate the symptoms of coming into contact with poison ivy. For the best results, it should be applied within the first ten minutes of exposure. Rubbing alcohol works by effectively removing the urushiol oil from the skin, which can significantly reduce discomfort. In fact, it is so effective that many individuals make a point of carrying alcohol wipes when they go camping or hiking. It is worth noting that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration advises that urushiol can linger on the surface of objects for several years, unless those items are treated with rubbing alcohol.