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R emember diving into a pile of just

raked leaves without a care in the world? How about a

fall hike in the woods? That seems harmless, too. But if

you're allergic to poison ivy, these fun fall activities

could leave you with a month's worth of discomfort.

Poison Ivy

is found in woods and backyard gardens all over this area

of the country. The plant has an oily residue that stays

on skin and clothes after contact. Many people are

allergic to that residue and suffer from an itchy,

painful red rash after contact with the plant. Experts

from Fayette urgent Care warn that this reaction is more

common than most people know.

"This

doesn't just affect those people with allergies,"

said Dr. Terry Rice, medical director of Fayette Urgent

Care. "People who don't normally suffer from

allergies, such as hay fever, also suffer bad reactions

to poison ivy."

Reactions

usually occur one-to-two days after contact with poison

ivy. You don't even have to directly touch the plant to

have contact with it. The residue on poison ivy can

remain on unwashed clothes and shoes for up to six

months. Another culprit is often the family pet who

brushes against a plant and then rubs against his owner,

spreading the allergy-causing residue.

Dr. Rice

says the best way to avoid a poison ivy reaction is to

avoid the plant altogether.

"Know

what it looks like - a small green plant that has three

leaflets on each leaf," said Dr. Rice.

Protective

creams that can be applied before possible exposure to

poison ivy are also available in pharmacies. If these

measures don't help and you think you've been exposed to

poison ivy, Dr. Rice suggests:

Removing and washing all

clothes and shoes that have touched poison ivy.

Bathing yourself and

applying rubbing alcohol to the exposed skin with cotton

balls within six hours of the exposure.

If a rash

still occurs, check it for signs of infection (bright red

color or pus). If it looks at all infected, see a doctor.

In addition, Dr. Rice suggests, applying calamine lotion

or an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream to the rash

and taking an oral antihistamine, such as Benadryl.

If you

suffer from a serious allergic reaction to poison ivy or

any injury that does not require emergency care, the

physicians at

Fayette

Urgent Care are available from 8 a.m.-10 p.m., seven days

a week. It is located at Ga. Hwy 54 at 105 Yorktown Dr.

in Fayetteville.

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