Health Tip: Prevent Exposure to Poison Ivy

(HealthDay News) -- Poison ivy, poison sumac and poison oak are all plants that can cause a reaction -- an unpleasant rash on the skin -- when people touch them.

The American Academy of Dermatology lists these suggestions to help prevent exposure:

• Learn how to identify these plants.
• Keep skin covered with gloves, boots, long pants and long-sleeved shirts when you're working outdoors.
• Before heading outside to work, rub an over-the-counter barrier cream into the skin that contains the ingredient bentoquatum, which can keep the irritants in these plants from getting into the skin.
• Don't burn these plants.
• Don't touch any animal, person or object that could have come into contact with these plants, including gardening equipment or sports equipment.