Is it Safe to Burn Poison Ivy?

Posted on November 26, 2019 at 11:29 AM by Tom Swegle

View post titled Is it Safe to Burn Poison Ivy?

Taking Caution When Preparing Your Yard for Winter

Autumn is slowly passing and winter is near. Many find that this is the perfect time of year to ensure leaves, vines, and other foliage is clear before the first substantial snowfall. The time for burning leaves has almost come and gone, but as you clean up your foliage, you may come across a mysterious bush or vines. If you identify the mystery plant and it is poison ivy, is it safe to burn?

To Burn or Not to Burn

The short answer is no, do not burn poison ivy. Some people think the fastest and easiest way to remove poison ivy is by burning it. This method, while effective at removing the vines and leaves of the plant, is a potentially dangerous option and should be avoided at all costs. Poison ivy oils can be carried through the air and infect the airways of people in the surrounding areas for miles. Removing poison ivy requires proper knowledge of how to handle the plant safely. 

Breathing Issues and Other Symptoms of Poison Ivy Smoke Inhalation

Whether an intentional burn or an accidental wildfire has introduced poison ivy into your airway, breathing the fumes of burning poison ivy can have serious health consequences and lead to death in severe cases left untreated. There are some symptoms of breathing smoke from burned poison ivy to be aware of if you suspect you are at risk.

Difficulty Breathing

This symptom should never be ignored! Fumes from poison ivy and its toxins can get into your throat and lungs causing inflamed airways that make breathing painful. While this inflammation can be painful enough to seek treatment, the swelling is the real concern. If you are having difficulty breathing, it is because your airways are swelling from the toxins. Seek immediate medical attention if this symptom occurs.

Rash

While you may never come in contact with the plant itself, a rash can still occur from breathing in the smoke of burning plants. In most cases, the rash will be on the inside of the mouth and the lips but may spread to other areas depending on how much smoke you inhaled and how much of the plant’s oil was carried in the air or ash you came in contact with.

Fever

A fever is a common symptom of inhaling poison ivy. Any time your body is under attack, a fever may occur as the body’s reaction to the outside threat. While a fever is a normal aspect of colds, it should never be ignored when associated with a poison ivy rash. It is a sign your immune system is struggling to rid your body of the toxins and requires medical attention if it reaches over 100 degrees.

Any time you have these symptoms and suspect you have breathed in poison ivy, it is advisable to seek medical attention. When it comes to breathing in harmful toxins, it is always better to be safe than sorry!

Can Outdoor Joe's Poison Ivy Pro® -Treat Poison Ivy?

While the poison ivy plant can lead to painful skin rashes, it also has some healing properties. The leaf extract, Outdoor Joe's Poison Ivy Pro® (formerly Rhus Tox), when purified into a homeopathic solution, can be used to treat a variety of ailments. While the leaves and oils of poison ivy plants can lead to painful blisters on the skin, this same oil extract is actually used to help reduce sensitivity to poison ivy when taken as a supplement. It should be stressed again, however, that if you suspect you have breathed poison ivy, you should seek medical attention.

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