How can you tell poison sumac from staghorn sumac?

The leaflets of poison sumac have smooth margins; those of staghorn sumac are toothed. A staghorn sumac leaf will have at least 9 leaflets on it (up to 31). A poison sumac leaf will have at most around 13 leaflets (usually fewer). The twigs on poison sumac are smooth; those on staghorn sumac are covered in tiny hairs.

Is staghorn sumac poisonous to the touch?

Many people remember the name "sumac" in conjunction with poisonous plants, and worry that all sumacs must be toxic. However, the common sumac species which grow along roads and in fields are not poison sumac. They are either staghorn or smooth sumac, both species quite harmless to touch.

What does staghorn sumac look like?

Yellow to greenish, 5-petaled flowers are small, only about 3 millimeters (about 1/8 inches) wide (see photo). Fruits are fuzzy, bright red to brownish-red, 1-seeded drupes (like a cherry or peach) about 4 millimeters (1/6 inches) across.

Can you get a rash from staghorn sumac?

NOTE: In rare cases, while staghorn sumac is not poisonous, some people may have an allergic reaction to the plant. Those who are allergic to cashews or pistachios are most likely to react, as they are part of the same family.

What does poison sumac look like when it first starts?

Poison sumac rash looks different on every person, but there are some commonalities. It usually begins with small, red bumps that become blisters filled with fluid. The rash and blistering can spread. Poison sumac rash should be treated as soon as possible because it can last for weeks without treatment.

How to Identify Poison Sumac

What should I do if I touched poison sumac?

If you have contact with poison ivy, oak, or sumac, immediately wash areas of the skin that may have touched the plant. Sometimes the resulting rash (contact dermatitis) can be completely avoided by washing the affected areas with plenty of water and soap (such as dishwashing soap) or rubbing alcohol.

What is the fastest way to cure poison sumac?

Applying topical OTC skin protectants, such as zinc acetate, zinc carbonate, zinc oxide, and calamine dry the oozing and weeping of poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. Protectants such as baking soda or colloidal oatmeal relieve minor irritation and itching. Aluminum acetate is an astringent that relieves rash.

How do I know if I have poison sumac on my skin?

A rash from poison ivy, oak, or sumac looks like patches or streaks of red, raised blisters. The rash doesn't usually spread unless urushiol is still in contact with your skin.

What does skin look like with poison sumac?

The poison sumac rash looks like streaky patches of red blisters. The rash itself is not contagious but, if the urushiol oil is still on your clothes, dog or backpack, it can still give you a rash. Once you get the rash, you can have it for up to three weeks.

What does allergic reaction to sumac look like?

The allergic reaction to poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac is usually contact dermatitis. This may happen 24 to 72 hours after exposure. The dermatitis is characterized by bumps and blisters that itch. Sometimes, swelling happens in the area of contact.

What does staghorn sumac look like in the fall?

Staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) is often dismissed as a weedy shrub but it shouldn't be. You will likely have seen its very ornamental, conical, rust-colored fruiting clusters. In the fall, it provides brilliant color, ranging from yellow-orange to bright red.

Is staghorn sumac poisonous to humans?

The most widespread sumac — staghorn sumac — is non-poisonous. Staghorn sumac has bright orange or red berries growing at the edge of its stems. Its leaves also have saw-toothed edges, unlike poison sumac. While poison sumac likes to grow in wetlands, most other sumacs prefer drier areas with well-drained soils.

What's the difference between smooth sumac and staghorn sumac?

Staghorn Sumac has leaves that have a hairy leaf stem and rachis, the stem that the leaflets are attached to. Smooth Sumac has none of the hair on the leaves.

How do you stop staghorn sumac from spreading?

Eradicating sumac through mechanical means requires chopping or mulching trees down as close to ground level as possible, removing saplings by hand, and mowing any root sprouts that break the surface. Mulching, using a disc or drum mulcher, is a quick and effective method for taking on sumac.

How long after touching poison sumac does it appear?

It takes time for the rash to appear. A rash can develop in a few hours if you've had a rash from one of these plants before. If you've never had a rash from poison ivy, oak, or sumac, it can take 2 to 3 weeks before you see a rash.

What happens if you breathe in poison sumac?

Any person working outdoors is at risk of exposure to poisonous plants, such as poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. When in contact with skin, the sap oil (urushiol) of these plants can cause an allergic reaction. Burning these poisonous plants produces smoke that, when inhaled, can cause lung irritation.

Can poison sumac spread to other parts of your body?

Urushiol can stay active on any surface for a year or more and still cause skin rash. The rash doesn't show up right away. But you can spread the oils around your body without knowing it. Poison ivy, oak, and sumac rash is not contagious.

Is poison sumac rash worse than poison ivy?

Poison sumac is considered the “most toxic plant in the country.” However, on a positive note, it's also much rarer than the others. It only grows in super wet areas, like bogs or swamps. Just like poison ivy, sumac also contains urushiol. That means it causes the same reaction as poison ivy — an itchy rash.

Should you pop blisters from poison sumac?

Never pop poison ivy blisters! Although they may be painful, an open blister can easily become infected and lead to blood poisoning.

Is poison sumac poisonous to the touch?

The cause of the rash, blisters, and infamous itch is from the exposure to urushiol, a chemical in the sap of poison ivy, oak and sumac plants. Because urushiol is inside the plant, brushing against an intact plant will not cause a reaction. But undamaged plants are rare.

What kills poison sumac permanently?

Glyphosate is a very common broad-spectrum herbicide that will kill poison sumac.

What kills poison sumac naturally?

Keep cutting back the poison sumac plants every two weeks during the growing season as you notice it resprouting. Although this can be time-consuming, taking up to two years to completely eradicate the plants, they will eventually die back and not reappear. You can get rid of the plants quicker if you remove the roots.

Should I go to urgent care for poison sumac?

If blisters burst, gently remove dead skin with clean hands and apply antibiotic ointment 3 times a day (Bacitracin, or something similar over the counter). If symptoms and rash do not get better within 4 to 5 days, seek medical care with your PCP or at GoHealth Urgent Care.

Can you eat the berries of staghorn sumac?

When most people think of “sumac,” they think of the itchy relative of poison ivy. Staghorn sumac, however, is an entirely different variety, and is both edible and delicious!

Can staghorn sumac be used as a spice?

Until the Romans introduced lemons to Europe, sumac was used as a spice to impart foods with a lemony tang and lovely burst of color. Since then, it has been used for medicinal purposes, but most people today turn it into spice mixes, teas, sauces and syrups.