Did you know that scientists have found that Poison Ivy is becoming more toxic, more resilient, and growing faster due to global warming?

According to Jacqueline E. Mohan, Ph.D., post-doctoral scientist and member of the Ecosystems Center Marine Biological Laboratory, poison ivy is becoming more toxic and growing more quickly and stronger due to the increased Carbon Dioxide levels resulting from global warming. Her studies found that plants grow up to 149% faster when CO2 levels are elevated. Mohan also claims that at least 80% of people are allergic to poison ivy and that number will continue to rise as the plants get more toxic.

Given that I was never allergic to Poison Ivy until recently, I am inclined to believe the studies I read. I avoid unnatural treatment, and after a week of intense suffering, I have collected a variety of natural treatments. It seems that different things work for different people, so what works for me, may not work for you.

After trying homeopathic Rhus tox 30C, Jewelweed soap, Calamine lotion, scalding hot water (which took the itch away better than anything else), and Tea Tree Oil, I finally gave in and bought what worked so well for me last year: “Burt’s Bee’s Poison Ivy Soap”. Although the blisters are still bad, they have stopped spreading and I don’t itch as much.

NATURAL REMEDIES
Here are some other remedies I found. Let me know if you have tried anything that works really well (as I am still scratching). I also listed some myths and facts that I didn’t know and thought would be useful. Stay healthy and itch free!
- Take Vitamin C with bioflavonoids, help to prevent infection and the rapid spreading of the rash cause by poison ivy and reduce swelling
- Take Calcium and Beta-carotene, they help to boost the immune response and to speed healing of poison ivy
- Take Zinc, helps to repair skin tissue damaged by poison ivy
- Mix 1 tsp. of water with 3 tsp. of one of these dry ingredients; cornstarch, baking soda, oatmeal or Epson salts. Make a paste and apply over the affected skin
- For cooling relief, apply over the itching area aloe vera juice, tofu or watermelon rind, they soothe and dry poison ivy immediately
- Use Calendula lotion. It is supposed to be very good in reducing itching, limiting the spread of the rash and helping the body to heal faster

FACTS AND MYTHS ABOUT POISON IVY
(Excerpted from the Dallas Morning News Friday, May 18, 2007, Bill Marvel)

FACTS
- The active ingredient in poison ivy, urushiol, is also present in poison oak, poison sumac, cashew shells, the Japanese lacquer tree and the ginkgo tree
- Two micrograms of urushiol is enough to cause a reaction in hypersensitive persons. That's about 1/30 the size of a single grain of salt
- Smoke-borne particles of urushiol are as potent as those in the living plant, and one of the major hazards for firefighters battling forest fires. California even offers worker's comp for such exposure
- The plant may be dead, but the malady lingers. Exposure to dried leaves and stems can cause a rash, even after a dozen years

MYTHS
- Scratching spreads the rash. Fact: Once it's a rash, it doesn't spread. It's only when the oil is still on the surface of the skin, right after exposure, that it can be spread. It can also spread from tools, pets and clothing.
- Poison ivy can spread to the rest of the body through the blood stream. Fact: The toxin penetrates the skin and causes local damage. Any apparent spread is through skin contact.
- If you're hypersensitive, you can get poison ivy just by driving near a patch. Fact: Not likely, unless the plants are damaged – say, by mowing or a fire – and the urushiol is carried through the air.