Poison ivy is poised to . With warmer temperatures and rising carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, scientists say poison ivy grows faster, its leaves get bigger and its toxic oil becomes even more virulent.
That oil 鈥� called urushiol 鈥� triggers an allergic reaction in roughly 80% to 85% of people. However, the severity of the reaction varies, sending some people to the emergency room, while others suffer only a mild, itchy rash.
鈥淭he same exposure in two different people will cause a very different set of symptoms and rashes,鈥� said Louis Kuchnir, a dermatologist in the suburbs west of Boston who treats poison ivy regularly.
The best approach to prevent a reaction, he said, is to identify the plant and avoid it. Unfortunately, poison ivy can be surprisingly tricky to spot.
Here is a quiz to test your knowledge of poison ivy鈥檚 telltale features. Let's see how well you鈥檙e able to steer clear!
This story was originally . It was shared as part of the New England News Collaborative.
