Plants that cause rash. Navigating the Dangers of Rash-Inducing Plants: A Comprehensive Guide

14.05.202121.07.2023 by alexxlab

What plants can cause rashes? How do you identify them? What should you do if you come into contact with them? Discover the facts and myths about poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac in this informative article.

Identifying Rash-Inducing Plants

Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac are the most common culprits when it comes to causing rashes in North America. While these plants aren’t actually poisonous, they contain a sticky oil called urushiol that can trigger an itchy, blistering rash upon contact with the skin. Contrary to popular belief, poison ivy is not the only one with a distinctive three-leaf pattern. Poison oak also has similar leaf arrangements, while poison sumac can have clusters of seven to 13 leaves. Understanding the visual cues can help you avoid these plants and the unpleasant skin reactions they can cause.

Symptoms and Timeline of Rash Development

The rash caused by exposure to these plants typically appears within 24 to 72 hours, peaking within a week but potentially lasting up to 3 weeks. The rash manifests as red, raised blisters that can form patches or streaks on the skin. Contrary to myth, the rash does not spread unless there is continued contact with the urushiol oil. It’s important to note that the rash itself is not contagious and cannot be spread from person to person or through contact with the blisters.

Potential Respiratory Hazards

While it’s generally safe to be around these plants, burning them can pose a significant risk. When the leaves are burned, the urushiol oil can be released into the air, potentially irritating the eyes, nose, and lungs. If you accidentally inhale the smoke, it’s recommended to seek medical attention, as your doctor may prescribe steroids to manage the symptoms.

Preventive Measures and Decontamination

The best way to avoid a rash is to cover up when in areas where these plants grow. Wear long sleeves, pants, gloves, and closed-toe shoes, and tuck your pants into your boots. Using a barrier lotion that contains bentoquatam can also help create a protective layer between your skin and the urushiol oil. If you suspect you’ve come into contact with the plants, wash the affected area with lukewarm water and soap as soon as possible. Rubbing alcohol or alcohol wipes can also help remove the oil. Be sure to wash your clothes and clean any tools or equipment that may have touched the plants.

Treatment Options

While there is no cure for the rash caused by these plants, over-the-counter medications can help alleviate the symptoms. Calamine lotion, diphenhydramine, and hydrocortisone can provide relief from itching, while cool compresses or baths with baking soda or oatmeal can soothe the skin. It’s important to avoid scratching the rash, as this can lead to scarring or infection. In severe cases, or if the rash is widespread or near the eyes, seek medical attention, as your doctor may prescribe additional treatments.

Protecting Your Pets

While a dog’s or cat’s fur typically protects their skin from the urushiol oil, the oil can still cling to their fur and be transferred to you. If your pet has been exploring areas where these plants are found, it’s important to bathe them with soap and cool water, taking care to wear gloves during the process.

Safely Removing the Plants

Burning poison ivy, oak, or sumac is strongly discouraged, as the smoke can contain particles of urushiol that can further irritate the eyes, nose, and respiratory tract. Instead, it’s recommended to dig out the plants, getting as much of the root as possible, and place them in a plastic trash bag for disposal. If you’re highly sensitive to these plants, consider having someone else handle the removal process. Some plant killers may also be effective, but be sure to read the label carefully and use them at the appropriate time of year.

Addressing Misconceptions

It’s a common myth that poison ivy is the only plant with a distinctive three-leaf pattern. In reality, poison oak and poison sumac can also have similar leaf arrangements, with poison oak having larger, more rounded leaves, and poison sumac growing in clusters of 7 to 13 leaves. Additionally, while these plants may cause a severe reaction in some individuals, it’s a misconception that everyone is immune to their effects. In fact, most people (around 85%) are actually allergic to the urushiol oil and can develop a rash at any age, even if they’ve never had a reaction before.

Pictures of Rashes & Plants

Medically Reviewed by Dan Brennan, MD on November 25, 2022

Fact. Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac grow in wooded or marshy areas throughout North America. The plants aren’t really poisonous. They have a sticky, long-lasting oil called urushiol that causes an itchy, blistering rash after it touches your skin. Even slight contact, like brushing up against the leaves, can leave the oil behind. Poison ivy and poison oak grow as vines or shrubs. Poison sumac is a shrub or tree.

Myth. Poison ivy is the only one that always has three leaves, one on each side and one in the center. They’re shiny with smooth or slightly notched edges. Poison oak looks similar, but the leaves are larger and more rounded like an oak leaf. They have a textured, hairy surface. There may be groups of three, five, or seven leaves. Poison sumac leaves grow in clusters of seven to 13 leaves, with one by itself at the end.

Myth. It forms within 24 to 72 hours of contact, depending on where the plant touched you. It usually peaks within a week, but can last as long as 3 weeks. A rash from poison ivy, oak, or sumac looks like patches or streaks of red, raised blisters. The rash doesn’t usually spread unless urushiol is still in contact with your skin.

Myth. It’s usually safe to breathe where poison plants grow. But if you burn them in your yard, the smoke could cause problems. When poison ivy leaves burn, they put out chemicals that can bother your eyes, nose, or lungs. You may need to see a doctor if you breathe the smoke. They’ll prescribe steroids to control your symptoms.

Fact. Keep your skin covered to avoid contact with these plants. Wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, gloves, and closed shoes if you’re in an area where they grow. Tie the bottoms of your pants legs or tuck them into your boots. Wear gloves when you handle bagged mulch or bales of pine straw. Keep a pair of shoes just for outside use and keep them outdoors. Try a lotion that has bentoquatam. It acts as a barrier between urushiol and your skin.

Fact. Urushiol begins to stick within minutes. If you know you’ve made contact with poison ivy, oak, or sumac, wash the area with lukewarm water and soap ASAP. If there’s no water, rubbing alcohol or alcohol wipes can remove it. Keep the area cool, dry, and clean. Wash your clothes and clean your boots or shoes. Hose down any garden tools that might have touched the plant.

Myth. But using them along with over-the-counter medicine can ease the itch and keep you more comfortable. Once a rash appears, keep it clean, dry, and cool. Calamine lotion, diphenhydramine, or hydrocortisone can help control itching. Cool compresses or baths with baking soda or oatmeal can also soothe the rash. Don’t scratch. It won’t spread the rash, but can cause scars or infection. Your doctor may suggest other treatments for your symptoms.

Myth. If someone in your household has poison ivy, oak, or sumac, you can’t catch it from them, even if you come into contact with the blisters. Just because you’ve never had a rash from one of these plants doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. Most people — about 85% — are allergic to urushiol. You can be affected by it at any age.

Myth. See your doc if the rash is close to your eyes or is widespread over your body. If needed, they can prescribe medications you take by mouth that will help with swelling and itching. Head to the emergency room if you have severe reactions in addition to the rash, like nausea, fever, shortness of breath, extreme soreness at the rash site, or swollen lymph nodes. Call 911 if you have any trouble breathing or feel faint.

Fact. A dog’s or a cat’s fur usually protects its skin from urushiol. But it can stay on the fur and rub off on you. If your pet explores areas where these plants are found, bathe them with soap and cool water. Be sure to wear gloves.

Myth. Don’t burn poison ivy, oak, or sumac. Particles of urushiol remain in the smoke and can aggravate your eyes, nose, and respiratory tract, and can land on the skin. Instead, dress appropriately and dig out the plants, getting as much of the root as possible. Put them in a plastic trash bag and throw it away. Have someone else do this if you’re super-sensitive to the plant. Some plant killers may work. Read the label carefully and use it at the right time of the year. Be careful — urushiol remains active, even on dead plants.

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SOURCES:

American Academy of Dermatology: “Poison Ivy, Oak and Sumac. “
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America: “Poison Plants.”
Occupational Safety and Health Organization (OSHA) Fact Sheet: “Working Outdoors in Warm Climates.”
University of Connecticut Integrated Pest Management: “Dealing With Poison Ivy.”
University of Oregon Health Center: “Facts & Fiction About Poison Oak and Ivy.”

Plants That Cause Rashes & Itching

We enjoy sharing all things poison ivy, but did you know there are other plants that can make you itch or may be potentially dangerous? We consulted the American Academy of Dermatology to get a list of common plants that cause misery.

Plants in the Garden

Fresh fruit and vegetables from the garden are wonderful, but some of their plants can make you itch. Strawberries, tomatoes, hot peppers and garlic can all cause rashes to those who are sensitive to them.

Strawberry and Tomato Plants

Hot Pepper and Garlic Plants

Rose hips, the round portion of the rose flower just below the petals, are commonly used in supplements and teas, but the plants can cause an irritating rash.

Rose Hips

The borage plant is used as a cooking herb, but it has stiff hairs that can penetrate the skin and cause a rash. Comfrey is also a member of the borage family and can cause an itchy reaction when handling the plant.

Borage and Comfrey

Remember to wear gloves when planting your winter bulbs! Tulip, hyacinth or daffodil bulbs can all make you itch.

Tulip, Hyacinth and Daffodil bulbs

Poisonous Plants to Avoid!

Some plants should be avoided altogether. They can be dangerous and cause more than just a minor rash.

Located along the Pacific Crest Trail in Southern California, the poodle-dog bush can cause a blistering rash similar to poison oak. If you come across the plant, you may be able to identify it by its strong smell.

Poodle-Dog Bush

Giant hogweed is likely found along streams, in fields and forests, and alongside the road. It is native to Southwest Asia and was brought to the USA in the early 1900’s to use as an ornamental plant. Giant hogweed can be dangerous as its sap can cause severe burns when exposed to sunlight and result in possible scarring.

Giant Hogweed

Like giant hogweed, the sap from wild parsnip can cause a severe burning, blistering rash.

Wild Parsnip

Commonly mistaken for wild carrot or wild parsnip, poison hemlock can be very toxic to both humans and animals. This plant can be a problem in farmlands because the animals will eat it. Poison hemlock can also be found along creekbeds, irrigation and waste areas. All parts of this plant are toxic, so you want to steer clear of it.

Poison Hemlock

Even more potent than poison hemlock, water hemlock only requires a minimal amount of exposure to be poisonous to humans and animals.

Water Hemlock

Stinging nettle has hairy leaves that can causing itching and a painful rash when it comes in contact with skin. We have a longer post about nettle here.

Stinging Nettle

We must not forget our favorites, poison ivy, oak and sumac, which are well known for their rash-causing abilities.

Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, Poison Sumac

What to do?

As best practice, you should always wear protective gloves when handling potentially irritating plants and wash up as soon as possible when done. We, of course, also suggest cleaning up with Tecnu Outdoor Skin Cleanser to remove any dirt and oils from your skin.

Use plastic bags to cover a plant before you remove it and use a fresh plastic bag for each plant. Leave the plant inside the bag to dispose of it to avoid touching it in any way.

Cover your skin with long sleeves and pants to avoid contact with potentially harmful plants. This is good practice whether you are enjoying the outdoor trails or working in your own yard. Be sure to wash any exposed clothing before wearing it again.

Use a weed killer or white vinegar to destroy the plant’s roots to avoid having it grow again.

Burning “imprint”. What plants can be dangerous to humans? | HEALTH

06/22/2017 11:36

Lilac Babaeva

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

2345

No. 25. “Arguments and facts in Western Siberia” 06/22/2017

“Imprint” from plants. What plants can be dangerous to humans? AiF

With the onset of hot days, more and more Tyumen residents began to turn to doctors with burns, blisters, redness after contact with herbs. The influx of such patients occurs only in sunny, hot weather, and up to seven people consult only one dermatologist per day.

Mostly summer residents suffer from phytophotodermatitis, but any person can have a reaction from contact with plants after walking outside the city, swimming in flowering water and even walking barefoot on the grass. Doctors expect mass appeals during haymaking.

“Phytophotodermatitis combines two reactions at once: to the sun and plants. They are combined because the sun affects the plants. In hot weather, under the influence of sunlight, they release essential oils, and when a person sweats, his sweat gland ducts expand, which contributes to the penetration of the allergen from plants into the skin. That is why such diseases practically do not occur in cloudy weather, ”says Lyubov Makarova, a specialist in medical prevention at the regional Dermatovenerologic Dispensary.

Backache ordinary (sleep-grass) causes burns on the skin. Photo: From the personal archive / Elena Kozhina

Most often, such a reaction is caused by sedge, cow parsnip, primrose and others. These plants produce allergenic essential oils.

Without contact

As a rule, signs of illness appear immediately after contact with the plant or throughout the day, in some cases on the second or third day. After exposure to the allergen, edema may occur, after it – small bubbles, the opening of which leads to micro-ulcers with a clear liquid in the middle. Necrotic ulcers may appear on the skin, affecting not only the upper layers, but also extending deeper and leading to scarring. And after recovery, age spots may remain in this place.

Phytophotodermatitis blisters are often confused with signs of food allergies and even burns.

“Sometimes, patients come and say that they apparently burned themselves somewhere and did not notice it themselves, but in fact it is phytophotodermatitis,” says Lyubov Makarova.

Most often, the rash appears on the feet, hands and knees – in those areas that come into contact with the grass.

The treatment of the disease is individual and depends on the area and depth of the lesion. With phytophotodermatitis, the first thing to do is to stop contact with the plant that caused it. Most often, it is treated topically, with the help of ointments, lotions and powders. It is also forbidden to sunbathe at this time, both in the sun and in the solarium.

To prevent phytophotodermatitis, try not to contact the grass on sunny days, do not lie on it without bedding, try not to walk barefoot and not swim in a flowering pond.

Topic

Which herbs are better not to touch?

Hogweed

Its juice, if it comes into contact with the skin, can cause severe burns, up to I degree of severity. It is especially dangerous at the time of flowering in sunny weather. Sometimes, after a couple of minutes, under the influence of sunlight, in the place where the hogweed juice got into, inflammation begins and a bubble swells. With prolonged exposure, deep, long-term non-healing ulcers form, leaving scars.

Larkspur (Delphinium)

Poisonous plant from the insidious ranunculus family. May cause allergic reactions (burning and itching) on contact with unprotected skin. If you are breeding delphiniums as ornamental flowers, wear gloves when handling them. And do not allow children to pick beautiful flowers.

Ash tree (burning bush)

The vapors of essential oil released during the maturation of seeds in the heat can severely burn even at a distance of up to two meters.

Meadow parsnip

Causes almost the same burns as hogweed. Once in the meadow, pay attention to light greens on 1.5-meter stems with inconspicuous flowers of the same color – do not touch it.

Buttercup

It is no coincidence that wild and domestic animals bypass these yellow flowers. The poisonous buttercup juice causes irritation, itching, and blisters on the skin. So it’s not worth collecting bouquets from them and even smelling them.

Backache (dream-grass)

Another relative of buttercup. Both wild and cultivated species are poisonous. The juice causes burns on the skin in the form of redness, blisters and abscesses.

Note

Which plants can cause phytophotodermatitis? Nettle, sedge, spurge, primrose, hogweed

Beware of grass! Safety rules in the forest and on the meadow

Summer begins, and it draws to nature! Meanwhile, in the fields and summer cottages this year, an unprecedented amount of cow parsnip has sprouted. And this is such a harmful grass that many civilized countries are already fighting it at the level of state programs! So that your vacation in the country or in the forest is not overshadowed by sudden troubles, you need to know what other dangerous plants you may encounter and explain to your children the rules for handling them.

Sosnowski’s hogweed

Photo: wikimedia.org / Ummagumma

Hogweed is a herbaceous plant with large leaves, powerful stems and umbellate inflorescences, similar to huge dill umbrellas. Many people know that neither the leaves nor the inflorescences of the hogweed can be touched. But not everyone knows how to recognize this plant and remember the danger in time.

Meanwhile, its juice contains substances that, when it comes into contact with the skin, make it defenseless against the sun’s rays. And since no unpleasant sensations immediately appear, a person may not even notice that he touched the hogweed, and get very serious sunburn. In just 2-3 minutes of exposure to the open sun after contact with cow parsnip, you can get phytophotodermatitis of such strength that the skin is covered with blisters. Even subsequent tissue necrosis is possible, so the risk cannot be underestimated!

Sosnowski’s hogweed, the most dangerous of the hogweeds, was cultivated for some time as a silage crop. Therefore, it has become widespread and is found everywhere in the wild! Wastelands, banks of reservoirs, stripes along roads … It can be found even along country fences. By the way, there it is also dangerous because when mowing grass, poisonous juice can easily get on the skin and even the mucous membranes of the nose and eyes. The risk associated with it is so great that in many European countries there are even government and public programs to combat hogweed.

Remember that the only sure way to prevent sunburn is to immediately wash the skin with plenty of water and cover it from the sun with a gauze bandage. The skin should be protected for up to two weeks until its ability to resist sunburn is restored.

Ash tree

Photo: wikimedia.org / Jean-Paul GRANDMONT

Similar burns are left on the skin by the herbaceous plant Ash tree, which in different places is also called wild star anise, volcana, ash tree, badan and burning bush. The last name arose because in the heat this plant exudes such an amount of essential oils that if you bring a burning match to it, then a fireball flares up around it for a moment and immediately goes out, leaving the plant unharmed.

Ash tree grows in the south of Russia, in the Caucasus and Crimea, as well as in southern Siberia. It is also widespread in most European countries. This plant prefers rocky places, and sometimes it can be found in bushes.

The ash tree grows up to 90 cm high, its leaves are similar to those of the ash tree, hence the name. The flowers are collected in oblong, vertically upward brushes up to 15 cm long. They are very beautiful: white, pink or lilac, with dark purple streaks. The whole plant exudes a pungent aroma that can give people a headache that lasts for several hours. Although initially it seems harmless and similar to the smell of citrus peel.

But it is much worse to touch the ash tree with your hands. Phytoburns, which appear after about a day, can be very strong – with blisters and ulcers filled with a clear liquid. The victim may have a fever, he experiences severe weakness. After some time, the blisters burst and open wounds that do not heal for a long time.

In the event that you have been injured by this plant, care should be taken for wounds like second-degree burns – bandage the affected areas in time until they heal, and in no case remove the crusts that form on the affected areas until they fall off on their own. However, even after this, the places of burns remain noticeable for more than a year.

Cicuta

Photo: wikimedia.org / Kristian Peters – Fabelfroh

Cicuta is a beautiful herbaceous plant with fleshy stems, pinnate leaves and complex and double umbels-inflorescences. Harmless and even beautiful in appearance, it is one of the most poisonous plants on earth. And if you have a bad habit of plucking and sucking sweetish stems, never do this with unfamiliar plants. Hemlock is also dangerous because it can deceive with its “edible” aroma: it exudes a pleasant smell of carrots, and its white, fleshy rhizome resembles a radish. However, you absolutely cannot try it!

Only 200 g of hemlock rhizome or stalks is a lethal dose for a cow, but 30 g is enough for a human.

Lily of the valley

Photo: wikimedia.org / Lazaregagnidze

Right now, lovely May lilies of the valley are blooming in the forests near Moscow. Grandmothers near the metro sell touching fragrant bouquets. But lilies of the valley are poisonous entirely! Lily of the valley juice contains convallatoxin. Even the water in which the bouquets stand becomes poisonous. Strictly speaking, in small doses, lily of the valley is a pacemaker, but even a very small overdose leads to blockade of the electrical conduction of the heart and damage to the nervous system.

Buttercup caustic

Photo: wikimedia.org / E-190

Everyone knows the small yellow buttercups that now grow profusely along roadsides and in forest clearings. However, do not try to lie in such a clearing, or pick up an armful of these lovely flowers. The volatile substance they secrete, protoanemonin, very soon leads to pain in the eyes and can even lead to temporary blindness. No wonder one of the popular names for buttercup is “night blindness”. Protoanemonin irritates not only the eyes, but also the mucous membranes of the nose and larynx. And if the idea arises to chew on a buttercup stalk, then very soon there will be nausea, vomiting and stomach cramps. So it’s better to admire the yellow glades from afar.

Colchicum

Photo: wikimedia.org / Meneerke bloem

Colchicum’s charming flowers are easily mistaken for crocuses. It looks very beautiful: delicate purple petals form a flower that looks like a narrow glass, with a yellow core in the very depths. Colchicum only blooms in autumn, and for planting it is bought right now, at the end of May and June. It is very popular with gardeners, but we must not forget that, unlike the harmless crocus, all parts of the crocus contain colchicine, a nerve-paralytic poison for which there is no antidote. Symptoms of poisoning are bloody vomiting, diarrhea, irritation of the oral mucosa. Only timely gastric lavage in a hospital can save a person who has tasted colchicum.

This is just a small list of the most dangerous herbs and flowers that are easy to encounter at this time of the year. Of course, there are actually more. There is also a beautiful and poisonous blue delphinium flower, purple delicate aconite, and finally, hydrangea and rhododendron, beloved by gardeners. All these plants contain poisons of varying degrees of danger, and therefore they should not be tasted. Be careful yourself and explain to the children what dangers the herbs and flowers that have grown these days in the forest and in the country carry.