Poisonous Plants
Poison Ivy and Poison Oak
 "Leaves of three .. let it be". That's what you need to remember before you touch one of these plants. It grows just about anywhere, and comes in various forms, vines, ground covers or upright. They also wrap themselves around trees, whether they're growing or not. You will find white flowers on these plants from August to November, when the leaves begin changing to those beautiful fall colors that we all recognize. Symptoms of these plants are skin inflammation to blistering, and while the first time may be very mild and you think it's not that big a deal, the second time your skin may become blistered, scarred and itchy, so don't think you're safe. You can also get it from smoke, if someone is burning the plant.
So, what do you do if you find yourself smack in the middle of a bunch of it?
Do NOT scratch! No matter how bad it gets, if you scratch, it's only going to get worse. After you get all washed up, then you're safe, but until then, anytime you touch it, and then touch somewhere or someone else, you're going to spread it. So, wash your hands, wash the area where you were exposed, and then remember to wash your hands again!
In the southern Appalachians and much of the eastern United States, there is a plant that grows wild called, Jewel Weed, with a yellow flower, (impatiens pallida), or with an orange flower, (impatiens capensis). This grows in the same area as Poison Oak or Ivy, and along many roadways. The juice of this plant can be extracted and rubbed on the area where you've come in contact with the Poison Oak or Ivy and is said to take away the itching and stop the spreading and even helps to heal!
Stinging Nettles
 Nettles grow just about anywhere, so watch out. If you run into a patch of nettles, you are going to know it, IMMEDIATELY! These things sting like crazy and you'll get blisters. Do NOT scratch! Wash your hands, the affected area and your hands again. You can try applying some calamine lotion, or some of the newer Neosporin products that are developed for itching, these seem to work great! The positive thing about stinging nettles is that they have positive uses, also. You can cook the leaves and eat them like spinach, (cooking them removes the "stinging" form).
The safest way to deal with any of these plants is to become familiar with what they look like! If you don't expose yourself to them, they won't expose themselves to you!
Happy Camping!
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