What you may not know about poison ivy..

[Peter1469]

I was very allergic to poison ivy. It's been a while since I have had it so I don't know if I still am or not

The allergy can come and go.

[Peter1469]

Oh, and don't burn it. I knew someone who did and got it in his lungs. Almost died.

[roadmaster]

The Indians use to eat it to induce immunity. They also used the leaves and berries in a tea for diarrhea, reduce fever and sore throats. It's natural medicine, still works today. But if you are not immune, nasty.

[countryboy]

Oh, and don't burn it. I knew someone who did and got it in his lungs. Almost died.

Yep, same here. A guy where my wife works was using a cutting torch on some old metal and got it in his lungs.

[jigglepete]

I used to get it every summer, like clockwork, it always ended up in my lungs (not recommended). Then I learned exactly what it looked like, that was the last time I got it, even after being exposed. I have heard that if you are not exposed to something you are allergic to for seven years or so, you can lose the allergy, but as you grow older you can become allergic to things you never had been allergic to...

[Peter1469]

The Indians use to eat it to induce immunity. They also used the leaves and berries in a tea for diarrhea, reduce fever and sore throats. It's natural medicine, still works today. But if you are not immune, nasty.

I think the American Indians were immune to it. They tortured captured Euros with it.

[RMNIXON]

In CA we have Poison Oak.

It grows like a shrubbery or on the ground in vines in mountain areas. Most often people wearing shorts will walk through and get in on the lower legs. Or touching shoes or boots after walking in the woods and not washing hands after!

[countryboy]

I think the American Indians were immune to it. They tortured captured Euros with it.

Maybe that's why my resistance is high, according to a 23 and me DNA test my sister had done, we have a good bit of Native American DNA. I've brushed right up against the big hairy vines a few times, and never got it. Of course, I always rush back to the house and scrub with Lava soap immediately when that happens, lol.

[Collateral Damage]

I get contact dermatitis from a number of things... pine, bean plants, poison ivy to name a few.

If I have contact with them, Dawn dish detergent and ice cold water (to keep the pores closed) and a scrubby sponge. I haven't had full blown poison ivy in years, fortunately. Pine and beans, I just get an itchy red rash that lasts a couple of hours if I don't get it washed off fast enough.

[Dr. Who]

Poison ivy was everywhere in the fields and woods where I played as a child. I never had a reaction. However, it has been years since I've been exposed to it, at least that I'm aware of, so I don't know if I'm still immune.