It’s a pretty spring day and you can’t resist the urge to do a little spring-cleaning in the yard and flowerbeds. You pull out weeds, trim a few bushes, and maybe even burn some dead branches. Later that evening you absent-mindedly scratch a small but persistent itch. Within hours you realize that the irritation has spread and you have a full-blown rash caused by exposure to poison ivy. You are not alone; nearly 90% of the population is allergic to urushiol, the oil found in poison ivy, oak and sumac. The allergic reactions range from redness, bumps, blisters, itching and swelling to enlarged glands and fever in severe cases.

Urushiol begins to penetrate the skin within minutes, and rashes form within 12 to 48 hours. Within a few days the blisters will crust over, then it usually takes 10 or more days for the skin to heal.

There are three ways to be exposed to urushiol:

If you think you have been exposed to one of these poisonous plants, follow these simple steps:

·Wash exposed areas with soap and cold running water within 30 minutes of exposure. If the urushiol is washed off before it  can  penetrate the skin, there will be no allergic reaction.
·All clothing, including shoes, should be washed with a detergent also. The person handling the clothing should be aware of  the  danger and take precaution handling the laundry.
·If you do develop a mild rash, relieve the itching by using AEA Certified Fully Refined emu oil. Apply only after thoroughly  cleansing the affected area with soap and water.

Emu oil is highly penetrating. Because of its transdermal qualities it could carry urushiol or other chemicals into the skin. For this reason, the American Emu Association recommends using this homeopathic remedy after bathing. “Always look for the AEA Certified Fully Refined seal,” said Gerald Edwards, AEA President. “It is your guarantee of quality, not just from the company selling the oil, but from an internationally recognized and unbiased third party with no vested interest in the company.”

AEA Certified Fully Refined Emu Oil is pure emu oil that has been tested by an American Oil Chemist Society certified chemist and meets the stringent specifications for that section of the Emu Oil Trade Rules. These Trade Rules recognize three grades of emu oil, Crude, Once-Refined and Fully-Refined. Fully-Refined Emu Oil is the highest, safest grade on the market with the longest shelf life. Only pure emu oil that has gone through this stringent evaluation process can carry the AEA Certification Seal.

The American Emu Association represents an alternative agriculture industry, dominated by the small farmer, who is devoted to humane and environmentally positive practices that will produce beneficial products for society. Visit http://www.aea-emu.org for more information on emu oil and other emu related products.