Leaves of Three, Let Them Be . . . Wash clothes and sneakers that were worn in areas where poison ivy is abundant, just in case any urushiol is left on them. Teach young children what these plants look like and tell them never to put any type of leaf into their mouths. Never burn poisonous plants, since their toxic oils will become airborne and can be breathed in, causing a serious reaction in sensitive people.
Most people are allergic to poison ivy and other poisonous plants.
The best way to keep from getting this itchy and bumpy rash is to know what these plants look like and avoid contact with them, since they won't fly up and bite you like a bug will. Sometimes contact with a poisonous plant may be unavoidable - even if you don't actually touch the plant. That's right - because it's the oil inside of the plant, called urushiol, not necessarily touching the leaf itself, that causes the rash. If your dog runs through the yard or woods and comes in contact with poison ivy, poison oak or poison sumac, the leaf or the stem can break off, spreading the oil inside of it onto your dog's fur. Then, when you pet your dog, the oil gets on your skin, which causes the reaction.