Is it possible to be immune to poison ivy?
Poison ivy is responsible for that distinctive red, bumpy rash that causes an often unbearable itching – the chances are that if you've been in contact with poison ivy, you'll soon know about it! However, it is true that some people are “immune” to the effects of this plant. It's probably best not to try out your luck though, as experts estimate that at least 50%, and probably as many as 85% of people are not immune! And there's no way of knowing, other than seeing whether you develop a rash after touching the plant.
It's not so much “immunity” as lack of an allergy. Poison ivy contains an oil called urushiol, which is transferred from the leaves to the skin. If it's not immediately washed off, or if you touch it, the oil will quickly be absorbed by your skin, and that's when the majority of people experience an allergic reaction known as urushiol-induced contact dermatitis. The skin becomes red and inflamed, with raised bumps that often develop into fluid-filled blisters. The allergy's most well-known symptom is the itching that accompanies the rash – it can be unbearable, and there are many over-the-counter products designed to bring relief for sufferers of poison ivy. Unfortunately, there's no instant cure, and while some products can help ease the itching and others might speed up the healing process, the rash usually just has to run its course. This can take several weeks.
Those who don't develop a rash after being exposed to poison ivy might not have the allergy to urushiol that the majority of people do. However, there could also be other reasons for their lack of symptoms. Perhaps they were fortunate enough to notice when they had contact with poison ivy, and managed to wash off all the urushiol before it was absorbed by the skin. (This can be quite successful, providing that you do so immediately and don't touch the affected area until it's been washed.) Alternatively, it might be that they simply didn't brush against the plant as hard as they thought, and perhaps the leaves transferred the oil to their clothes instead. In any case, if you know you've been in contact with poison ivy, you should wash all exposed skin carefully, and take the necessary precautions to prevent a rash, just in case. This includes washing your clothes and even your dog, if he was with you at the time! Urushiol can be carried by any number of things, and that's how some people develop rashes without even coming into contact with an actual poison ivy plant.
Sometimes, for whatever reason, people just don't experience a reactin to the normally toxic urushiol. Bear in mind, though, that many people go for a long time without having any rash, and then finally do experience an allergic reaction after being exposed to poison ivy multiple times before. It's also thought that people “grow out” of sensitivity to poison ivy, as many seem to have far less severe reactions to it when they grow older.
There's no way of predicting it, so don't take any chances!
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