and Sumac (NAPSA)—As many as 50 million people develop an allergic rash each year, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, after coming in contact with poison ivy, poison oak or poison sumac. “One or another of these nasty weeds grow everywhere except Hawaii, Alaska and some desert areas in the western United States,” says Garden Expert Lance Walheim, who wrote the book “Lawn Care for Dummies” and whois a regular contributor to Sunset magazine. Symptoms These poison plants contain an oily ingredient called urushiol that causes allergic reactions that include redness, bumps, blisters, itching and swelling. Scratching the rash can introduce bacteria into the open sores and cause a secondary bacterial infection. Severe infections may produce abscesses, enlarged glands andfever. How You Can Be Exposed Direct contact—touching the sap of the toxic plant. Indirect contact—touching something on which urushiolis present. The oil can stick to the fur of dogs or cats, to garden tools or sports equipment, or to any objects that have come into con- tact with it, including mulch. Airborne contact—burning poison plants send urushiol particles into theair. When urushiol gets on the skin, it begins to penetrate in minutes. A reaction appears, usually within 12 to 48 hours. In a few days, the blisters become A brush killer is the fastest way to eliminate poison ivy and other problem weeds. crusted and take 10 days or longer to heal. Treatment If you think you’ve had a brush with poison ivy, poison oak or poison sumac, follow these simple steps: Wash all exposed areas with soap and cold running water. Wash your clothing in a washing machine with detergent. Relieve the itching of mild rashes by taking cool showers and applying over-the-counter preparations. Prevention How do you avoid all those hassles? Spotting poison plants and eradication is the key. Bayer Advanced™ PowerForce Brush Killer Plus Concentrate kills tough brushlike poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac—roots and all. It begins to work in one to three days. All Bayer Advanced products carry a money-back guarantee. For more information, visit www.bayeradvanced.com or call 1-877-BAYERAG.
