Poison ivy can be a vine or a short woody bush containing oils that cause an itchy burning rash. When you touch it, it is most easily identified by its sets of leaves that grow in groups of three in a fan shape around the stem and the plant has a reddish purple tinge in the spring or fall.

If you touch poison ivy, you should wash off the affected area within 30 minutes or a non-contagious rash could appear within a day or two and last two to five weeks.

Poison ivy doesn't cause a reaction in any animal other than humans, but if your pet comes into contact with it, you should still wash it off, because your pet can transfer the allergenic oils to you.