There’s a lot you can do to prevent a poison ivy reaction in the first place — both by reducing your risk of exposure and by acting quickly if you know you’ve been exposed.
Avoid areas where poison ivy thrives.If you’re hiking or camping, stay on designated trails or campsites and away from areas where you know poison ivy plants have returned after being cleared.
Remove poison ivy from your property.In your own yard, you can get rid of poison ivy either by applying an herbicide or by pulling it out of the ground.
If you decide to pull the plant out, be sure to wear heavy gloves and to remove the roots along with the plant. Afterward, carefully remove the gloves and wash them and your hands thoroughly.
Never burn poison ivy that you’ve removed, because the smoke will contain the plant’s toxic oil. Seal it in a heavy-duty garbage bag and place it in the trash.
Wear protective clothing.Sometimes it’s not possible to avoid areas prone to poison ivy growth — especially if you work in landscaping or gardening, construction, farming, or cable installation.
Depending on your activity, it can help to wear long pants tucked into boots, as well as long sleeves tucked into protective gloves.
Wash clothing and objects after potential contact.Be sure to remove your clothing carefully — without letting it touch furniture, rugs, or appliances — and wash it promptly in a washing machine. Wash boots and shoes using detergent and water.
It’s also a good idea to wash items like gardening tools and recreational gear. Remember to wear long dishwashing gloves while washing or handling any potentially exposed item.
Wash your skin after known or potential contact.Even if your skin touches poison ivy, you can still prevent or limit an allergic reaction by cleaning it with soap and water as quickly as possible.
According to the Mayo Clinic, there’s a good chance you’ll prevent a rash if you wash your skin within 30 minutes of exposure. Even after an hour, you can limit the severity or any reaction by washing.
Teach your family and friends to recognize the plant.Once you’ve educated yourself about poison ivy, educate your family and friends. That way you can all look out for each other when spending time outdoors.
Mind your pets.Even though most pets don’t get a reaction from poison ivy, they can spread its oil to humans.
Try not to let your pet wander into areas where poison ivy may grow. If you think your pet may have been exposed, give the animal a bath using an appropriate shampoo while wearing rubber or vinyl gloves.
There’s one animal that you may want to set loose in areas with poison ivy: goats. Not only are they not allergic to the plant, but goats will help clear poison ivy from certain areas by eating it. (7)
Learn More About How to Eradicate Poison Ivy From Your Property
