Poison Ivy!
The Adirondacks are a vacation spot for many. Home to the 46 High Peaks, tons of people travel to the "Dacks" to hike the many mountains and explore the beautiful nature. One of the greatest hazards of hiking is not the precarious terrain, or even the mountain lion lurking in the boulders, it is Toxicodenron radicans. Most of us know it as Poison Ivy and nearly everyone can tell you what it looks it. The classic 3 red leaf structure can be a misleading description. Green is the color you want to look for, accompanied by jagged edges and bilateral symmetry. The article I found in the Adirondack Almanack talks about how this notorious plant is an environmental hazard of the North Country. It is important to be aware of how to avoid the plant and the precautions you need to take. The article also provides tips for how to avoid the symptoms. For example, the oil that causes the dreadful allergic reaction is water resistant, so you must use soap and water to clean any potentially affected areas, and quickly.
If I were a physician working in a rural area such as the Adirondacks, it would be incredibly important that I knew about the health hazards that poison ivy causes. It is necessary to inform your patients about what to watch out for and the necessary precautions to take. Prevention is the key and it is my job as a physician to educate my patients.
