Poison ivy poses a serious problem for many who come in contact with it. Botanically known as Toxicodendron radicans, poison ivy contains oily chemical compounds called urushiols in its leaves, stems and roots. Marty Heisey, LancasterOnline Botanically known as Toxicodendron radicans, poison ivy contains oily chemical compounds called urushiols in its leaves, stems and roots.
According to the American Skin Association, about 85% of the U.S. population is allergic to urushiols, with roughly 10% to 15% of those considered “highly allergic.
” According to the American Skin Association, about 85% of the U.S. population is allergic to urushiols, with roughly 10% to 15% of those considered "highly allergic.
" That makes the plant concerning for most Americans, with 50 million people affected each year, the group says. So, in most cases, it should be removed. However, it's a Catch-22: You need to remove poison ivy because you're allergic, but the itchy, blistering and sometimes painful rash that affects most people who brush up against it can discourage efforts to tackle it.
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Know how to identify it Identification can be tricky, as poison ivy takes on different appearances at different times of year. Most often, its leaves are composed of three leaflets apiece (as referenced in the childhood rhyme, "leaves of three, let it be"). The middle stem is longer than the stems of the side leaflets.
A dense mat of poison ivy Ohio State Weed Lab / The Ohio State Un.
