As the weather grows warmer, more people are eager to head outside to garden, camp, hike and get active in their local parks and forests. Whether you are tending your personal garden or hitting the trails this spring, be mindful of what plants you tread near, as some can result in painful, itching rashes across your skin.

Poison ivy is one of the most commonly-known natural skin irritants, but there are quite a few more that can cause similar reactions. Most often, people will develop rashes due to chemical reactions to oils exuded from plants. In other cases, chemical interactions with light or mechanical reactions (like sharp fibers) can cause outbreaks of skin irritations.

Plants to Watch Out For

While you were probably taught about poison ivy as a child or in nature safety demonstrations, you might not know about the other common causes of skin irritation and rashes. It’s crucial that you be able to recognize harmful plants and stay clear of them to prevent any skin itchiness and pain this spring.

The major three plants that can cause severe rashes on the skin are poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac. Each of these plants emit an oil called urushiol, which causes a painful reaction when absorbed by the skin. It only takes a light brush to transfer the oil and create an itchy, red and blistering rash.

Rashes typically develop between 12 and 72 hours after you make contact with the plant. The rashes do not spread, even though they may appear to because of delayed reactions, and will generally go away on their own in a few weeks. Here’s how to identify each of the biggest offenders when it comes to skin rashes in nature:

1. Poison Ivy: This plant typically grows as a shrub or a vine, depending on the area, and will have clusters of three leaves. These leaves may appear red in the spring and turn green in the summer. Poison ivy also may grow yellow-green flowers in the springtime and produce dull white berries.
2. Poison Oak: The saying “leaves of three, let it be” also applies to poison oak, which grows clusters of three leaves. These leaves look different from poison ivy in that they are shaped like those on oak trees. The plant typically grows as a shrub and produces yellow-white berries.
3. Poison Sumac: Poison sumac does not grow clusters of three leaves, making it less easy to identify in the wild. Instead, its leaves are shaped like a feather and may appear to have black splotches on them, which is actually urushiol. Poison sumac grows as either a tall shrub or small tree and produces yellow-white berries.

The above-mentioned plants aren’t the only ones that can cause irritations on your skin this spring. The stinging nettle weed is more commonly found in garden areas growing as a mass and has small green leaves with serrated edges. This plant has hair-like structures on its stem and leaves that contain chemicals. If you touch a stinging nettle, the “hairs” can puncture your skin and emit the chemicals, causing a painful, stinging sensation and a rash. A rash from stinging nettles can last up to 24 hours.

Additionally, other plants and flowers may cause more minor reactions on the skin, either due to chemical reactions with their sap or with light. Some of these plants include:

• Gaillardia
• Primrose
• Queen Anne’s Lace
• Tansy
• Yarrow

You should research more about the common plant irritants in your local area to help you identify which to avoid.

Soothing the Itch

Typically, wearing long pants and sleeves while hiking or gardening with gloves can help you avoid coming into contact with these plants. However, avoiding natural outdoor irritants isn’t always possible. When faced with itchy skin, red blotches, blisters or hives, there are a few steps you should take to soothe the pain and calm the itchiness.

• Wash the area: Wash the affected area with soap and water as soon as you notice the rash to remove any excess oil from your skin.
• Use topicals: Apply topical creams or sprays to calm the irritation and soothe the itchy feelings. Try to avoid itching as much as possible to prevent blisters.
• Take baths: Take oatmeal baths or baths with a cup of baking soda to calm your skin. Cool showers may also help.
• Apply a cool compress: Using a cool compress on the rash can sometimes help soothe the skin.
• Visit the doctor: If your rash does not appear to heal or you are having trouble breathing or swallowing, visit the doctor as soon as possible. Severe cases may require steroid medications to clear the rash.

When enjoying the nice, spring weather outdoors this season, make sure to stay alert to what plants are near you and take care to avoid any that can cause itchy rashes. With the right knowledge, you should be able to stay itch-free all summer!