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Brian Endicott, an avid outdoorsman from Pasqua Lake, is no stranger to poison ivy. Having encountered it four times, he’s urging the community to stay informed this summer, as it could be in your own backyard.
Endicott’s latest run-in with the plant was while trying to remove it from his yard. Despite carefully disposing of it and wearing protection, including masks and respirators, the oil from its leaves still contacted exposed skin.
“I still ended up with poison ivy across both legs,” he said.
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Endicott said the reaction starts with a mild rash and can worsen to the point of blistering over time.
“I’ve never ever been that itchy in my life. My brother described both of my arms as (looking) like a pizza,” he said, recounting a previous experience.
To suppress the itch, Endicott said he kept his arms wrapped in t-shirts and stayed out of the sun and water to avoid infection.
“Here you are in the plus 35 days, mid summer, and you’re trying to stay cool and from a very active lifestyle…at the same time not scratching anything, because that itch just does not seem to go away.”
Edicott said poison ivy grows all around his house, and often has neighbours come knocking on his door to see what the plant looks like.
“I guess it’s just endemic through the area we live in (with) the valley and surrounding area, it seems to be getting worse,” he said.
“More people are getting exposed to this plant at various times of the year.”
He said he has worked to eradicate poison ivy in the area, especially with a new canine facility being established nearby. He said he doesn’t want to risk the dog’s coats coming into contact and potentially spreading it.
Endicott stressed the importance of education on what the plant looks like, and to be aware of it when spending time outdoors this summer.
What is poison ivy?
Botanist for the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment, Beth Dolmage, said poison ivy is a three-leaved, shiny shrub that can grow up to about knee-high.
“If you’re hiking somewhere that’s sandy with slopes (and) shrubs, keep an eye out around your ankle height for those shiny leaves,” she said.
Dolmage said poison ivy is likely found in the prairie regions on well-drained soils or slopes, and on shrub lines or trees.
Like typical leaves, the plant changes colours throughout the seasons. During the spring, it is a vibrant green and in the months of June and July it has small white flowers.
In September, the white flowers will turn into white berries and the leaves will change to a vibrant orange.
Dolmage said urushiol, the oily residue found on the leaves, roots and berries of poison ivy, is what causes the body to react.
“If you come in contact with poison ivy, wash your hands right away,” Dolmage explained, noting that you shouldn’t use water that’s too hot because it can open the pores up.
“What I really want to make people understand is that it can get on your tools, on your pants, on your boots, on your pet fur, and those oils can then be transferred to you later,” she said.
“You really want to keep an eye out if you’ve hiked in an area with poison ivy, make sure that you’re giving your shoes a good scrub.”
Dolmage said a reaction from poison ivy can take up to 72 hours to appear, but not everybody is as susceptible.
“The more you come into contact with it, potentially, the more your body will react,” she said.
“If it’s the first time you’ve come into contact with poison ivy, definitely give your hands a wash, (and) keep an eye on the area,” she said. “There might not be any need to get too excited.”
