AUSTIN, Texas — Spring has arrived, flowers are blossoming and Central Texas is looking green, even after a rough winter. But while the weather is nice, it also means poison ivy is growing quickly.
"When you step out your front door, you'll find it everywhere," said LeAnn Ishcomer, the City of Austin's park ranger program manager.
And sometimes, to those not familiar with this poisonous plant, it can be difficult to distinguish. This is why experts say "leaves of three, let it be!"
Because poison ivy is a native Texas plant, the City doesn't remove it.
"The City makes efforts to ensure that the trails are clear of it," Ishcomer said. "But once the, you know, off of the boundary of the trail, that's where our native plants grow."
If you come into contact with poison ivy, it's clear you weren't sticking to the trail and leaving no trace by doing so.
"I think that also helps us keep our parks clean, and it helps keep our parks well-maintained and nice for the next person that comes along," Ishcomer said.
If you happen to enter through an unapproved entrance point and are aware you have come across the plant, take immediate action.
"Being sure to wash afterward with soap and warm or hot water," said Dr. Brenna Gerdelman, a family medician physician with Austin Diagnostic Clinic and St. David's HealthCare. "It's oil. So, you need to be able to remove that oil from your skin or your clothing."
The itch will usually start between four to 48 hours after exposure. If the reaction isn't too bad, Gerdelman recommends a few ways to manage the symptoms.
"With mild cases, you can use something that's an antihistamine over-the-counter like Benadryl," Gerdelman said. "General comfort measures are the things like your mom probably told you when you had poison ivy, Right? So you can take a cool oatmeal bath or do cool compresses. Things like calamine lotion and those that are mostly just soothing measures to help the symptoms feel better."