Avoid This Common Michigan Plant That Could Ruin Your Summer

I've always been told that hate is a very strong word. People say they hate Mondays, the snow, and the coach of their favorite team when it loses. But this is more of a general dissatisfaction with something, not the utter disdain that the word "hate" carries. That being said, I hate poison ivy. 

I know, not a very hot take. I don't think you'll find a single person who would argue that it's a good thing. However, as someone who is notoriously allergic to it and has managed to find a way to get it every summer for the past six years, with a severe reaction each time, poison ivy and I are not on good terms.

So, to save you from the same fate as me, let's do a bit of a deep dive on poison ivy in Michigan and how you can avoid it.

Why Poison Ivy Is "Poisonous"

According to the Michigan State University Extension Bulletin, Michigan has two distinct types of poison ivy that spread across the state, and West Michigan residents need to be aware of both.

• Eastern poison ivy is known for growing up trees and takes the form of a vine.
• Western poison ivy grows from the ground, typically with reddish leaves. Usually found in clumps on the ground.

The thing that makes poison ivy poisonous is the oil (Urushiol) that covers the plant, an oil that is very difficult to kill and can be transferred across clothes and other surfaces. That's why it's essential to wash or remove any clothes that may have come into contact with the plant. Urushiol is the substance that causes the signature rash of poison ivy.

So You Touched Poison Ivy, Now What?

The Mayo Clinic lists common symptoms of poison ivy, including redness, itchiness, blisters, and swelling, as reactions to the poison ivy. View the full list of symptoms here and learn how to determine if a doctor's visit is necessary. On the bright side, a common misconception with the poison ivy rash is that it can spread from itching or blistering, but that's incorrect. The rash only appears on areas of skin that the plant touched.

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Poison ivy is easy to avoid if you know what to look for (remember the old saying "leaves of three, let it be").