Poison ivy is a woody shrub that grows and spreads along the ground or climbs high in trees or on poles. It is found throughout the United States except on the West Coast. There are 3 leaflets on each leaf cluster of the plant. The clusters of the 3 leaflets grow about 3 to 4 inches apart on either side of the plant (Picture 1). The edges of the leaves may be smooth, toothed, or rounded. The leaves are glossy green in early spring and summer, and by fall the leaves are a bright red color. The berries hang in clusters from the stem. In summer the berries are greenish-white. By fall the berries turn to a tan color, and later to a reddish color.

Poison oak and poison sumac grow in the eastern and southeastern part of the United States. The rash is caused by contact with the sap. Poison oak and poison sumac have the same symptoms as poison ivy and are treated in the same way.

Poison oak is a low-growing shrub. Stems usually grow upright. Leaflets occur in threes, and have toothed edges (Picture. 2).

Poison sumac grows as a woody shrub or small tree, rather than a vine. The sumac leaves have 7 to 13 leaflets in pairs with a single leaflet at the end of the twig (Picture 3). Poison sumac grows mainly in swampy areas.

Poison Ivy(picture 1)        Poison Oak(picture 2)      Poison Sumac(picture 3)

Itching, burning, redness, and small busters appear on the skin within a few hours to 5 days after contact. A severe rash with swelling and large blisters may last for several days

· If your child comes in contact with the sap, give him or her a complete bath with soap and water within 15 to 20 minutes of contact. Clothes that may be contaminated with the sap should be washed.

· If you are sensitive to the sap, wash your hands and also change and wash your clothes.

· Wash your hands and arms with soap and water after decorating a live Christmas tree.

· A soothing lotion such as calamine may be purchased from your local pharmacy without a prescription. When applied to the rash, the lotion helps prevent itching and helps dry the rash. Note: It is best not to use Caladryl® lotion for poison ivy, because it is absorbed into the skin. You can use calamine lotion.

· The skin should be cleaned with mild soap and water and patted dry 2 times a day to help prevent infection.

· Cool compresses applied to the affected area help reduce itching. (To make a compress, soak a washcloth or small towel in cool water and wring out excess water. Fold the cloth into a small pad.) · Trim the child's fingernails to discourage scratching and help prevent infection if the blisters are scratched.

· To help relieve the itching, you may give your child a medicine by mouth called Benadryl®. It is available at any pharmacy without a prescription. Ask the pharmacist or call your doctor for the correct dosage.

· Only the sap of these plants is infectious and not the fluid in the blisters on a person's skin.

· There is no allergy shot available to prevent poison ivy. The shots are not considered safe or effective.

· Teach your child how to identify the plants. When possible, avoid contact with them.

· It is best to kill the plants by spraying with a broadleaf weed killer, and not by pulling or burning them. A broadleaf weed killer can be purchased at your local plant nursery. CAUTION: Any weed killer that is not used must be stored out of the reach of children.

If your child has eaten any part of the plant, you should call the Poison Control Center (614) 228-1323 or 1-800-682-7625 immediately for advice. If left untreated, the plant can cause severe stomach upset.

Call your doctor (phone 871-8500) if any of the following occurs:

If you have any questions, please call

HH-I-111 6/83, Rev. 6/91 Copyright 1991, Children's Hospital, Inc., Columbus, Ohio.

The American Academy of Pediatrics warned about the dangers of trampolines in 1977, and issued a policy statement in 1981 saying that it is never appropriate to use trampolines in homes or recreational settings.

Despite warnings trampoline injuries are soaring. There were an estimated 249,400 trampoline injuries to children 18 years and younger treated in hospital emergency departments in U.S. between 1990 and 1995.

93% injuries occurred at home.

The number of injuries increased by 98% from 29,600 in 1990 to 58,400 in 1995.

There are twice as many trampoline injury emergency room visits than baby walker injury visits. Walkers have been banned by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

More injuries happen in the center of a trampoline than when someone bounces off and lands on the ground.

When people try to perform flips, they come down on their necks and cause permanent spinal cord damage. The middle center area is the most dangerous.

Summersaults and flips are dangerous because children are blind as they spin, and can't see where they are landing.

Children are at greater risk of injury than adults because children are immature, take risks, and are less coordinated and physically weaker.

Owners of trampolines are opening themselves to major lawsuits if their trampoline is not put behind a fence with a chain over the top to keep neighbor children off. Many insurers decline to write policies for home owners with trampolines.

Trampolines are safer if mounted at ground level with surrounding frame and surface padded to prevent lacerations, impact of falls and dental injuries.

Competent adult supervision and instruction is needed with 4 spotters at all times.

Allow only one child on trampoline at a time. Many fractures occur from the impact on one child to another.

Encourage children to wear light head gear.

Ban flips, back flips, and summersaults.

Brown, E. (1997) Jumping for joy- with care. Medical Update, 21, 1-2.

O'Donoghue, K., (1998). Trampolines a joy? insurers think not.(On-line). Available: http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?

Smith, G. (1998). Injuries to children in the United States related to trampolines,1990-1995: a national epidemic. Pediatrics, 101 (3), 406-412.

  Ride safely this summer.

  Protect your brain!

  Wear your helmet!

Click on Courtney or Hannah to find out why they are smiling about wearing their helmets.