1. Poison Ivy By John Millsap

2. What is Poison Ivy?  Poison Ivy is a common plant that grows wildly throughout the United States.  Many people are allergic to the oils released from the plant and contact with them can cause a very irritating rash. http://www.poison-ivy.org/

3. Signs or Symptoms  The first symptoms of poison ivy is a slightly itchy spot which gets worse and worse.  After the an itchy rash bubbles or boils could occur on the rash.  Itching the rash could spread it to other parts of the body.

4. What part of the skin does it effect?  Poison ivy affects the outermost layer of skin on your body, called the epidermis. http://www.dkimages.com/discover/Home/H ealth-and-Beauty/Human-Body/Skin-Hair- and-Nails/Skin-Hair-and-Nails-14.html

5. Cause  An oil called urushiol is secreted from the plant and causes an allergic reaction upon contact with the skin.  Cutting down a plant or even using a weed eater to remove the plant could splash the oil on you and cause a serious allergic reaction. http://www.martingrumet. com/poison- ivy12may04.jpg

6. Cure  There is not a cure for poison ivy rash but there are some remedies you can use.  Buji Skin Products  Tec Labs, Tecnu  Sumactin, Rash Remedy  Zanfel, skin wash  Some people however are immune, but may lose their immunity. People change as they age so someone who isn’t immune could become immune.

7. Worst Case Scenario  In worst case scenarios people with severe allergies to poison ivy can get serious boils and rashes.

8. Some INTERESTING Facts  Poison ivy grows in all parts of the United States except California.  A good way of getting rid of poison ivy plants is to have a goat eat them, goats are immune to the oils.  The good thing about poison ivy is it feeds many types of birds through out the country.

9. Works Cited  Jon Sachs Graphics. 2001. http://poison- ivy.org/ http://poison- ivy.org/http://poison- ivy.org/  Jim Dunphy. 1999. http://poisonivy.aesir.com/ http://poisonivy.aesir.com/  Poison Ivy. Jim Mason. http://www.gpnc.org/poison.htm

10. A Time for Reflection Poison ivy is a common plant that grows wildly around our country. Growing up, I have learned to stay far away from this terrible plant. I have now realized just how serious this rash can be. So be wise and stay away from painful plant.