There are many lovely things about nature: beautiful sunsets, balmy breezes through the willows, crickets and frogs singing in the darkness. Not all is safe, however, as Mother Nature takes care of her children. Even plants have ways to defend themselves. Since they cannot run from predators, they must devise other strategies for keeping safe: so thorns and spines abound, and noxious smells and tastes help the plants to survive.

Rashes from poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac can turn a pack or troop outing into a miserable experience. Identification of the culprits and treatment of the outbreaks go hand-in-hand with being outdoors, and is built into many of the advancements along the Scouting Trail.

There are many misconceptions, myths, and downright fallacies floating around about the "leaves of three" crowd. While not ivy, oak, or sumac, the members of the Rhus or Toxicodendron are all related to cashews and mangos (Anacardiaceae family). The three plants formally identified as Rhus radicans (poison ivy), Rhus toxicodendron (poison oak), and Rhus vernix (poison sumac), are now separated into five Toxicodendron species (see Identification Please). (Note: Another member of the cashew family, Poisonwood (Metopium toxiferum), is common at the Boy Scout High Adventure Sea Base in the Florida Keys.)

The best treatment for poison oak, ivy, or sumac is avoidance and prevention. Learn to identify the species and varieties in your area. West coast varieties will have different habits and appearances than East coast counterparts, and the lack of leaves in the winter does not mean that you are safe, as the stems, roots, and berries contain the oil that causes the rash, called urushiol.

Because urushiol is inside the plant, brushing against an intact plant will not cause a reaction. However, undamaged plants are rare because poison oak, ivy, and sumac are very fragile plants. Stems or leaves broken by the wind or animals, and even the tiny holes made by chewing insects, can release urushiol.

Frequently you will not notice the presence of the plants until you have already been exposed. After you recognize that you’ve been in it, the first reaction seems to be to rub your skin or scratch it. Bad choice. Leave it alone. Do not touch the exposed area at all, no matter how badly it drives you crazy, until you can wash it with soap and cold water. Most reactions to the oil require that it be in contact with the skin for several hours, but it depends on the sensitivity of the person. Wash your hands first, then wash the area that has been exposed, then wash your hands again, then go home and take a shower. Plain water works well. Cold water seems to work better, because it closes your pores quickly and constricts capillaries in your skin, reducing the spread. Also, wash your hands before using the bathroom as well as afterwards. Transferring the oils to your sensitive parts is common and can be very, well… you get the idea.

If you do get a rash, do not scratch it. Your fingernails carry all sorts of nastiness and infection is a frequent complication of poison plant dermatitis. Once the oil has been washed off the blisters or fluid from them cannot poison you. It may take a week to 20 days for the rash to develop completely, leading folks to believe that they "scratched it and it spread." Not true. They may have been exposed over several days, and it takes some time for the reaction to come out and then fade.

If poisoning develops, the blisters and red, itching skin may be treated with dressings of calamine lotion, Epsom salts, or bicarbonate of soda. A doctor should see severe reactions immediately. Scientists have developed a vaccine that can be injected or swallowed, but is effective only if taken before exposure.

In the southern Appalachians and in much of the eastern U.S., a native plant remedy works very well. Jewelweed comes in two varieties, with a yellow flower (Impatiens pallida) or with an orange flower (Impatiens capensis). Drops of water bead up on the leaves, making it glisten like jewels, thus the name. Jewelweed often grows right next to poison ivy and is common along roadsides and streams. This plant is a well-known folk remedy and has no reported side effects. Crush the stems or leaves to extract the juice and apply it to the affected area, wash off, and apply again. Jewelweed releases the oil from your skin, relieves the itching, and seems to help heal the poison ivy rash.

As a side not, when teaching scouts about poison ivy, oak, or sumac, a helpful visual aide is easy to make. First, borrow a friend who claims he or she is not allergic. Prepare a sheet of clear contact or laminating plastic with the sticky side up. Have your friend clip and place a piece of the plant in the center of the plastic. Lay another sheet of plastic on the top, seal gently, and then coat in another piece of clear plastic. Wash all hands, the plastic sheet, and tools carefully with soap and water or Technu (available at the pharmacy). The laminated plant should be clearly visible and, as long as it does not ‘leak,’ there should be no exposure to the urushiol oils. I have one that I have used for 6 years and it still looks good.