Inspired by the small yet extremely annoying rash on my hand right now. What is actually happening to you when you are infected with poison ivy and why?
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Its leaves are coated in an oil that makes your skin itchy and bumpy. Once the oil gets on one part of you, you can spread it around, so wash well with soap and water any time you touch it.
Poison ivy is covered with an oil called urushiol. It’s able to penetrate the horny layer of your skin and bind to immune cells. Your immune system responds by causing inflammation.
An allergic reaction if I recall correctly with the oil urushiol. Make sure you have thoroughly washed the affected and surrounding areas with lots of soap(unscented is best) and water so that you have removed it all.
Antihistamines will help a little but you kinda just have to let it play out and not scratch any skin or pop any pustules, otherwise you could end up with infections.
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Ian allergic to urushiol. Countless times I’d get it by going in the woods or doing whatever in the yard. It got to the point I’d boil water and splash the rash with it. It felt so good lol (I am NOT advising this whatsoever) eventually I learned to stay the hell out of the woods. Haven’t had it in ages
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