Download (you-ROO-shee-ol) Main constituent of the irritant oil in

Poisonous Plants
Irritants - Poisonous Plants
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Urushiol Oil
• Urushiol (you-ROO-shee-ol) Main
constituent of the irritant oil in plants of
the Genus Toxicodendron. A mixture of
several compounds which are derivatives
of hydrocarbons in the C15 to C17 range.
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Rash
• Caused by Urushiol oil
– Found in the sap
– Colorless or pale yellow
– Turns brownish-black after
exposure to air.
– Oozes from any cut or crushed
part of the plant, including the
roots, stems and leaves
• Oil penetrates within minutes
and binds with skin proteins
• Rash appears within 12-48
hours
• 2-3 weeks to heal
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Poison Ivy
Genus Toxicodendron
• Types:
3 Leaflets
– Woody, ropelike vine
– Trailing shrub on the
ground
– Free-standing shrub
• Normally Three Leaflets
– Can vary from groups of
three to nine.
• White Berries.
Waxy Cuticle
White Berries
Ropelike
Vine
Berries
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Poison Ivy
• Range (climbing vine):
– East
– Midwest
– South
• Range (shrub):
– Northern States
– Western States
– Canada
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Identifying Poison Ivy
• Leaflets:
–
–
–
–
–
–
Usually three
Red early spring
Shiny green later in spring
Red or Orange in Autumn
Center leaf stem is longer
Bottom leaflets opposite each
other
– Usually has notched edges
– White berries close to stem, base
of leaflets
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Identifying Poison Ivy
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Poison Oak
• Changes appearance
every season
• Oak like leaves
• Three Leaflets
• Opposite lower leaflets
• Longer stem central
leaflet
• Leaflets with smooth
hair underneath
• White flowers
• White berries
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Poison Oak
• Eastern variety
– Southeast
– Low shrub
• Western variety
– Pacific Coast
– 6-foot-tall clumps
– Vines up to 30 feet long
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Poison Oak
• Leaves of three, leave
them be…..
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Poison Oak - Seasons
Early Spring
Spring
Summer
Fall
Winter
Anytime
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Poison Oak Shrubs and Vines
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Poison Sumac
• Most common in:
– Peat bogs of Northern US
– Swampy Southern Regions
• Rangy shrub up to 15 feet tall.
• 7 to 13 smooth-edged leaflets.
• Glossy pale yellow or creamcolored berries.
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Identifying Poison Sumac
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Prevention
•
•
•
•
Prevention is the best treatment!!!
Long pants, long sleeves
Boots and Gloves
Barrier Creams may offer some
protection (e.g., Ivy Block) before
exposure
• Wash immediately (within 5
minutes) with cold running water
(stream, lake, hose)
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Prevention
• Within the first 30 minutes, soap
and water helpful, after that….
• Clean clothes, shoes, tools, etc.
Oil can last on surfaces for 1-5
years!
• If working at a specific location
where poison ivy/oak/sumac is
present
– Wear Modified Level D (gloves, tyveks,
boot covers, etc.)
– Treat plant as if it is a chemical
contamination (decon)
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Treatment
• Over the counter
• Prescription
• Home Remedies
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Nettles - Stingers
Genus Urtica
• Found in waste places and moist
thickets, North America.
• Stems and leaves armed with hollow
hairs
– Brittle
– Gland-tipped
– Easily broken
• If injected, liquid produces burning
sensation
• Inject chemical mixture containing:
– Histamine
– Acetocholine
– 5-hydrotryptamine
– Formic Acid
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