What's Going Around: Poison Ivy

Now that the weather is getting warmer we'll be spending a lot more time outside, so consider this your annual warning about poison ivy.

The oily coating on the plant causes a blistering rash. Dr. Susan Fedewa at the 98point6 Emergicenter tells us it can range from itchy to painful. The oil gets on your skin through direct contact, contaminated clothes or even pet fur. The rash does not spread person-to-person.

The first thing to do if you come in contact with poison ivy is wash your skin and clothes immediately. See a doctor is a rash develops. Steroids can relieve some of the pain and swelling.

You also need to watch out for a bacterial infection called cellulitis if the skin breaks open.

Poison ivy has three leaves. That's where the saying "leaves of three, let it be" comes from.

Don't ever try to burn poison ivy to get rid of the plant. That can release the oil into the air and get it in your lungs.

There are weed killers specially designed for poison ivy.