DC Comics OCT160335 Designer Series Bombshells Poison Ivy Action Figure

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Poison ivy’s original classification, Toxicodendron radicans (T. radicans), was first established by the French botanist Joseph Pitton de Tournefort in the 17th century. Later, Carl Linnaeus, considered the “Father of Taxonomy,” classified poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac under the Rhus genus in 1737. 8 However, by the 18th century, 27 species of Rhus had been identified, with numerous variations, creating the need to better clarify the taxonomic designations of plants falling into the Rhus genus. Thus, the genus Toxicodendron, which means “poison tree,” was reprised for what we know today as poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac, with radicans and rydbergii being the most common species. Poison oak ( T. diversilobum) is more common in western United States, and poison sumac ( T. vernix) is primarily confined to marshy areas of eastearn and southeastern United States, but numerous types of Toxicodendron plants can be found in temperate climates all over the world. 7

Petrides GA. Vol. 1986. New York(New York): Houghton Mifflin; A Field Guide to Trees and Shrubs. p. 130. [ Google Scholar] Approximately 10 to 15 percent of people will have reactions severe enough to require medical treatment, often in the form of oral or injected low-dose steroids administered by a doctor. Seek medical help if the rash becomes infected, covers a large part of the body, causes swelling of the face or other sensitive areas, or causes difficulty with swallowing or breathing. Prevalence. Prevalance of poison ivy has doubled since 1960, and its potency is rapidly increasing, making this rash a common complaint in dermatology offices. Several factors contribute to this increase in prevalence: History. Poison ivy is neither poisonous nor a true member of the Ivy family (Hedera). Instead, it is a member of the Anacardiaceae family, which also includes pistachios, cashews, and mangoes. All members of the Anacardiaceae family contain various forms of pentadecylcatechols within their sap, which is collectively termed urushiol, an oleoresin released from the injured leaves, stems, vines, or berries of these plants. 7

Treatment

Fragrant sumac ( Rhus aromatica) is often mistaken for poison oak, and both grow in similar habitats. One difference is that the leaflets of fragrant sumac are attached at a single point, while the terminal leaflet of poison oak has a short stem. Also, the fruit of the fragrant sumac plant is red (figure 10). Poison-ivy is classified as a noxious weed under the Ontario Weed Control Act. This legislation provides a means for regulating control of certain weeds in problem areas. Each municipal council, through its weed inspector, is responsible for the degree of control within its district. Figure 2. Poison oak looks similar to poison ivy, but the teeth along the edges of the leaflets are more rounded, leaves often are not as shiny, and the form is more shrub-like (photo by John Byrd, bugwood.org). Nevertheless, when in doubt, avoid touching the unknown plant until you have obtained help to identify it. Control of Poison Ivy Poison-ivy ( Rhus radicans L.) is widespread throughout southern Ontario and reaches north approximately as far as Cochrane and Kenora. It is found most abundantly, however, south of a line from the north shore of Lake Huron through North Bay. This includes the densely populated portions of the province and the popular vacation areas. The plant is often mistakenly called "poison oak", but the true poison oak occurs only in the southern and Pacific states of the U.S.A. and not in Ontario.

These herbicides are usually most effective if applied anytime from when the foliage is fully developed until the plants begin to go dormant, usually from about June 15 to July 31. Some regrowth of the weed may occur after it has been treated. Therefore, examine the area periodically and the repeat treatment as often as any regrowth appears. In this manner, poison-ivy can often be eliminated from an area. The increased atmospheric CO2 level caused by global warming not only promotes the growth of these plants (poison ivy and related plants thrive off of CO 2), but also cause the plants to produce more potent forms of urushiol. The number of these plants is expected to double again when atmospheric CO 2 levels, now at 410ppm, the highest in three million years, reach 560ppm. 3 , 16 Gladman AC. Toxicodendron dermatitis: poison ivy, oak, and sumac. Wilderness Environ Med. 2006; 17(2):120–128. Accessed September 4, 2020. [ PubMed] [ Google Scholar] While there is no entirely satisfactory treatment for TCD other than the “tincture of time,” longer-course glucocorticoid therapy, such as triamcinolone or prednisone, has been shown to be effective in relieving symptoms associated with TCD. 8 Short courses of low-dose methylprednisolone (so-called “dose paks”) are too brief and too weak to offer effective relief. Glucocorticoids should be administered using a 2- to 3-week taper starting with 60mg daily (preferably taken in the morning with food to avoid gastritis) for five days that is reduced to 40mg daily for five days and then down to 20mg daily for five days. 9 , 8 Contraindications for glucocorticoids include concurrent infection, peptic ulcer disease, poorly controlled hypertension, congestive heart failure, and diabetes. 9 Dementia can also be made worse with systemic steroids (so-called “steroid psychosis”). 9 Less serious side effects of systemic glucocorticoids include an increase in appetite, retention of fluid (edema), irritability, and insomnia. Adrenal suppression associated with prolonged systemic steroid use is rarely a problem when using a 2- to 3-week course of glucocorticoid therapy for poison ivy. 9Poison-ivy is a woody perennial. It may grow as dwarf, shrubby plants only a few centimetres high and carpeting the ground ( Figure 1), or as upright plants 60-90 cm (2-3 ft) high, or the vine-like form may twine around trees, shrubs and posts, and reach a considerable distance above the ground. These vines often develop root-like structures which act as attachments, but apparently do not damage the living plants to which they cling. These herbicides can be bought in various concentrations and under many different trade or brand names. Therefore, it is not feasible in this Factsheet to give detailed instructions for mixing and application of each kind. Detailed directions for its use are printed on the label on every container of each herbicide. Follow the manufacturer's directions. For safety's sake, read the label carefully and observe all precautions printed on it.