North Carolina Cooperative Extension horticulture expert Matt Jones explains in this video how to identify poisonous plants such as poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac.
This video is part of Homegrown, a video series by the North Carolina State Extension and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences that features tips and tools from the subject-matter expert.
Homegrown recommends several ways to protect yourself from coming in contact with poisonous plants, including learning how to recognize the poisonous plants in your area and wear protective clothing and gloves when working outside.
If you have a skin reaction, Homegrown recommends washing the reaction thoroughly, then soaking it cool water, apply an over the counter corticosteroid if you don’t have an allergy to the ointment and consult your physician for medical advice as needed.
Learn More
- N.C. State Extension Plants Database Profiles
- List of Poisonous Plants (N.C. State Extension Plants Database)
- Outsmarting Poison Ivy and Other Poisonous Plants (Food and Drug Administration)
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