You may have heard of poison ivy and oak, but have you ever heard of Sumac? This plant is not as well-known as poison ivy or poison oak, but it can still cause a lot of discomfort if you come into contact with it. Poison sumac, or Toxicodendron vernix, grows in wet, marshy areas and […]
Regarding outdoor adventures, many people love to bring their furry friends along for the ride. While dogs and cats may seem immune to nature's dangers, they are superheroes in their own right. One of the interesting things about our pets is that they rarely get poison oak and ivy rashes due to their fur. In […]
Ah, it’s that time of year again when the seasons are in full bloom, and you likely want to get outside and enjoy them! Unfortunately, your plans may be interrupted by some common pests that also arise this time of year, including poison oak and poison ivy. Have no fear, by prepping in advance, you […]
Does your green thumb have you itching and scratching? Gardening is a great way to spend time outside and enjoy the warmer weather, but this favorite pastime can also bring unwanted pests. From poison oak and ivy to mosquitoes and other bugs, it's essential to take preventative measures to avoid these pests and know what […]
Spring is in the air, so it’s time to prep your garden for beautiful weather. Green thumb or not, you’ll want to show your outdoor areas some TLC so you can enjoy the warm months ahead. Before planting new flowers, set a foundation by clearing your garden of unwanted guests - including poison oak and […]
Do you love the outdoors? Chances are, if you’ve spent any time outside in the wilderness, you’ve probably encountered poison oak. This plant is notorious for causing an irritating skin rash and, in some cases, a severe allergic reaction. This condition is caused by the urushiol oil on the plant and can lead to symptoms […]
Spring is the perfect time to leave the house and explore the great outdoors. As the weather gets warmer and the days get longer, there are endless opportunities to enjoy nature. Whether you prefer hiking through the woods or lounging by the water, there is something for everyone. Here are ten ways to enjoy nature […]
Poison ivy is notorious for causing an itchy, uncomfortable rash. Unfortunately, this plant is also popular in North America and can cause quite a stir for active families and nature lovers. The plant contains urushiol, an oil that leads to severe allergic reactions in most people. Despite popular belief, there is no known cure or […]
Poison Ivy in the Spring Ah, springtime! The most beautiful time of year brings blooming flowers, budding trees, and chirping birds, but it’s also the most popular season for poison ivy. This pesky plant causes itchy and uncomfortable rashes that can quickly spread from person to person on clothing, tools, and pets. In this article, […]
Poison ivy rashes can be incredibly itchy or painful—or even both. It can be highly tempting to scratch and pop the blisters for temporary relief or because you think it will help with the healing process. There are many myths about poison ivy, the rashes it causes, and the treatment of the blisters. Some are […]
Chances are your medicine cabinet is filled with ointments and creams in the unfortunate case of a cut or scrape. When choosing the proper topical treatment, you may question the ingredients and differences between an antibiotic and an antiseptic. In this article, you'll learn the difference between antiseptic and antibiotic wound care and why antiseptic […]
Poison ivy and poison oak are popular plants that cause an itchy, uncomfortable skin irritation and rash. The toxic oil on these plants is responsible for the painful skin reaction, and it is easily transferred by simply brushing up against the plant; it can even be spread from person to person on clothing or pets. […]
Mosquitoes can put a real wrench in anyone's outdoor plans, especially if they’re attracted to you. Mosquito bites cause uncomfortable itching and a skin reaction and can also carry diseases. You may notice that some people are more susceptible to these pesky insects than others. For example, some may experience a swarm of mosquito bites, […]
Any outdoor adventurer will tell you just how uncomfortable poison ivy rash can be. Caused by urushiol oil on poison ivy, poison oak, and other sumac plants, the rash is easily spread and can cause severe inflammation for up to three weeks. It can be spread on clothing, pets, by skin-to-skin contact, and of course […]
If you experience a cut, scrape, or sore, it can be very concerning. The most important recommendation is to stay calm. You can take several key steps to treat a minor open wound at home; however, if you require stitches or are experiencing a severe cut, you should seek medical attention immediately. Treating your injury […]
Whether you are an experienced outdoor adventurer or a novice gardener, chances are you’ve experienced a brush with poison ivy or poison oak in your lifetime. Identifying the itchy, burning sensation early will help you find relief fast. If you’re unsure if the rash on your skin is caused by poison ivy, several vital indicators […]
Mosquitoes can throw a real wrench in your outdoor plans, especially if you’re planning on entertaining al fresco or enjoying a brisk outdoors adventure on a camping trip. While they are prevalent in hot, sticky weather, do mosquitoes bite in the winter? The short answer is mosquitoes are much less active in cooler months, so […]
Poison ivy looks like any ordinary plant out in the wild, so much so that you need some research to identify the plant correctly. But it seems as though some animals appear to be unbothered by the poison oak and ivy plants through their fur coat protection or are immune to urushiol, the plant's oil. […]
So you just discovered that you have an unfortunate poison ivy rash, and you’re worried that you could spread this rash to your family. The answer isn’t as simple as yes or no. Poison ivy and its relatives, poison sumac and poison oak cause this rash through specific means. Let’s talk about the plant, how […]
So you had the unfortunate luck of touching poison ivy, and now you have a rash that itches without mercy. You’re wondering why this is happening and how long this problematic situation will last. Let’s look at how poison ivy causes the rash, how long it lasts, how to make the healing process faster, and […]
While walking through the woods with your friends, one of them warned you that there might be poison ivy in your path. You checked, and it looks like you’ve already walked through quite a bit. You rushed to your backpack, took out the Tecnu Detox Wipes you brought just in case, and wiped every part […]
Identifying poison ivy is an essential skill to develop whether you love the outdoors, work outside, or are an avid gardener. The poison ivy plant, while having the familiar characteristics of leaves of three, can look a bit different depending on the season and geography. Besides the fact that it has similar poisonous relatives that […]
Poison ivy is the dreaded plant that causes many outdoor vacations to turn into itchy problems that you just want to end. But this plant doesn’t just appear in the wild; it can appear anywhere with conditions the plant finds favorable. Yes, it can even grow in your garden or backyard. When you find a […]
Poison ivy is the dreaded plant we are taught to avoid from our earliest days of exploring the outdoors. But do we really know everything about it? There are many myths about the plant that many think are facts, and while some of them are relatively harmless, they could put you in more danger than […]
You did your best and made sure to be as vigilant as possible. But even with that, you brushed against a poison ivy leaf hiding in the tall grass. You only noticed the next day after you got home, so you did your best to wash off the urushiol oil. Unfortunately, the dreaded oil has […]
Poison ivy blisters can be itchy or painful, and it can be tempting to pop them. But doing so will only make you susceptible to infections. You’re suffering an intense itching that keeps you up at night and a pain that even topical steroid creams barely keep at bay! Let’s understand what causes this. What […]
You’re walking around in your yard and find a familiar-looking plant. You take out your phone and do a quick search. The results prove it—you have poison ivy. You’re wondering how to get rid of it; simply pulling it like a common weed isn’t an option—or is it? Let’s dive in and figure out what […]
Getting a poison ivy rash is enough to ruin anyone's day. The rash is from an allergic reaction to the urushiol oil in the plant. Symptoms range from red bumps to large blisters with itching so intense that it keeps you up at night. The problem? It spreads! Read more to know more about how […]
The antiseptic gel that everybody loved is here! Tecnu’s First Aid Gel, now under the brand NuNature by Tecnu, is a favorite of our customers and back by popular demand. It’s been a while, but since many people requested this product's return, we worked long and hard to do so. It’s the same First Aid […]
So you got exposed to poison ivy, and now you’re experiencing the consequences. Yesterday you developed a rash on your forearm, and today a rash on your neck! When will the spreading stop? Good news, it has already stopped spreading! Poison ivy rashes are caused by urushiol, the oil found in the plant. Once absorbed […]
