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Top 10 Myths About
Poison Ivy, page 2
Myth #4: I've been in contact with poison ivy
before and I'm not allergic to it.
Fact: If a person has come in contact with poison ivy
once and did not get a rash, it does not mean that he or
she will always be immune. The first time a person is
exposed to poison ivy he or she cannot get a rash. The
first contact, which can occur without a person ever
knowing, may create a hypersensitivity to the urushiol
oil without causing a rash.
Myth #5: Dead poison ivy plants are no longer
toxic.
Fact: Urushiol oil stays active on any surface,
including dead plants, for up to five years or longer.
Myth #6: You can catch poison ivy rash by being
near the plants.
Fact: Direct contact with urushiol oil is needed.
However, it is important to stay away from forest fires,
direct burning or anything that causes the oil to become
airborne such as a lawnmower or weed whacker. |
