Plants are wonderful. They absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen for us to breathe. They can be beautiful, smell great, and even make some delicious meals. However, they’re not all friendly; some plants can harm the skin by causing rashes. It’s important to be able to identify these plants so you can avoid them when spending time outside. This is especially true for those of us who are prone to allergic reactions.
If you’re familiar with the leave no trace principles, you already know we should “leave what we find” and not bring home plants from the wild. It’s particularly important to teach children this principle and to familiarize them with plants that they should avoid picking or touching.
Now that spring is here, many of us are planning to spend more time outside. Whether you’re hiking, camping, or having a picnic at the park, it’s easy to accidentally brush up against a harmless-looking plant that causes unpleasant results. Know ahead of time the possible skin irritations these plants can cause and how to treat the resulting rash.
The following infographic from The Derm Review identifies some common rash-causing plants, how to spot them, where you may encounter them, and how to combat the irritation that they cause. Check it out.
