Hello, Adventurers! Welcome back to the Coastal Expeditions blog! If this is your first time visiting our blog, we’re happy to have you here. We are all about nature, adventure, and making the most out of the beautiful outdoors of South Carolina. If you enjoy all things hiking, paddling, kayaking, and spending time outdoors, you’ve come to the right place! Here on the blog, we dive deep into different habitats, excursions, conservation efforts, and nature programs. Our site is filled with interactive maps, destination guides, and educational resources. Since the weather is incredibly warm, we want to help you get out there and take advantage of all that the Lowcountry has to offer! We offer guided tours of the beautiful Lowcountry by kayak, paddleboard, ferry, boat, and private charter. We also have hands-on workshops taught by highly-trained guides on wilderness skills, birding, identifying native plants, sustainability, and camping. Anything you want to learn about, we teach! If you haven’t already, we encourage you to take a look around our site to learn more about our offerings. In our last post, we talked about ways that you can help take care of the environment. Today, we’ll be discussing some of the most common poisonous plants that you’ll want to avoid when out and about exploring! While out on an excursion in the Lowcountry or elsewhere, you’re bound to come into contact with a variety of flora and fauna. However, some of the plants you may encounter can be quite dangerous. If you are interested in learning more, you’re in the right place! Let’s get started.

It is important to be aware of potentially poisonous plants, as some can cause blisters, itching, skin irritation, and rashes. This is mostly due to certain oils that can be found in stems, leaves, and berries of the plants. South Carolina has its fair share of toxic plants, so we encourage you to be aware of them, and know what to do if you happen to have a reaction to them upon accidental contact.

Poison Ivy

Perhaps the most notorious of toxic plants is Poison Ivy, or Toxicodendron radicans. The plant is native to North America and Asia and can be found along trails, roadsides, and in woodlands. It is known as an allergenic plant because of the rash it produces. This rash is caused by urushiol, an oily resin in the leaves, stems, and roots of the plant. To identify the poison ivy plant, look for three leaflets that alternate up the stem of the plant. Young poison ivy leaves may have a reddish tint, while older vines tend to be hairy. Signs and symptoms of a poison ivy rash include:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Itching
• Blisters

A poison ivy rash often appears in a straight line due to the way the plant brushes up against the skin. Keep in mind that you can transfer the oil from the plant to other parts of your body. If you know that you’ve come into contact with poison ivy, wash your skin right away with soap and cool water. Avoid warm or hot water, as it opens up the skin’s pores and can allow the oil to sink further into the skin. Washing off the oil can reduce your chances of developing a rash. When exposed to poison ivy, a rash generally occurs within 12 to 24 hours. If you do develop a rash, take cool baths and apply soothing lotions, such as calamine lotion or creams containing menthol. Over-the-counter cortisone cream or ointment as well as oral antihistamines may be beneficial. 

Poison Oak

Poison oak, known by the scientific name Toxicodendron pubescens, is a shrub that can grow up to 3 feet tall. It is native to the Southeastern United States and is sometimes known as Atlantic poison oak. It can be found growing in forests, thickets, and dry, sandy fields. The leaves of poison oak have three leaflets that look similar to that of poison ivy, but they have rounded tips. The underside of the leaves are fuzzy and usually a lighter color than the top. Like poison ivy, it contains urushiol. Signs and symptoms of a rash from poison oak  are similar to that of poison ivy. They include:

• Rash
• Itching
• Blisters

Just as with Poison Ivy, washing your skin with cool water and soap is the best way to avoid developing a rash. If you do develop a rash, you may experience itching before the rash is visible. Additionally, blisters are likely to form within the rash and may grow in size and ooze liquid. This liquid is not contagious. As the blisters begin to heal, they will dry out and form a crust-like layer. To treat a rash from Poison Oak, use soothing lotions and creams such as calamine lotion, topical corticosteroids, and aluminum hydroxide gel to dry out the blisters. 

Poison Sumac

Scientifically known as Toxicodendron vernix, poison sumac is a shrub or small tree that is common in the Eastern United States and southeast Canada. Poison sumac tends to grow in wet and clay soils, making it likely to be found in swampy areas, but it can also be found in woodlands. To identify poison sumac, look for a reddish stem and leaves that consist of 7 to 13 leaflets arranged in pairs with a single leaflet at the end. The leaflets are often elongated with a smooth, velvety texture. Like poison ivy and poison oak, sumac excretes urushiol, but it is considered more allergenic than the other plants. Symptoms of a poison sumac rash include:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Itching
• Burning sensation
• Watery blisters

If you have been exposed to sumac, remove the oil from your skin with soap and cool water. You can also rinse with rubbing alcohol. If you do develop a rash, follow the same procedures as poison ivy and oak; Use calamine lotion, topical anesthetics, and hydrocortisone creams. 

Stinging Nettle

Stinging nettle, also known as common nettle or wood nettle, is an herbaceous perennial flowering plant. This plant was originally native to Europe, much of Asia, and North Africa, but today it can be found worldwide. It is mainly found in bottomlands and along streams and shady areas, and can grow up to 2 feet tall. To identify this plant, look for stiff hairs on the plant’s stem. Each one of these hairs has a jagged point at the end that “stings” when touched, releasing an irritating acidic chemical known as formic acid. Some symptoms of a stinging nettle rash include:

• Raised bumps or hives
• Itching

If you come into contact with a stinging nettle, try not to touch the area at first, as this can push the chemicals deeper into the skin. Wait ten minutes before using soap and water to wash the chemicals from the surface of the skin. You can also use a strong piece of tape to remove any remaining fibers from the skin. Afterwards, apply cool compresses to the area as needed to relieve stinging or itching. 

As you can see, these are just a few of the most common poisonous plants that can be found in our area. In rare cases, some people may have a severe allergic reaction to these plants. These symptoms include tightness in the chest or throat and difficulty breathing. In these instances, seek medical attention immediately, as this reaction can be life threatening. We encourage you to safely explore the beauty of the Lowcountry, so be sure to check out our current tours and trips! We hope you found this article informative! As always, we thank you for reading and we hope to see you back on our blog soon. If you have any questions about our guided tours, reach out to us! At Coastal Expeditions, we are committed to introducing people to the wonders of the ecosystems of the Charleston area by providing guided tours and educational opportunities. If you’re looking to explore all that the Lowcountry has to offer, check out our offerings on our website to find the adventure which suits you best! We also offer kid-friendly tours as well as kids’ programs, camps, and kayak lessons. Our tours are led by knowledgeable, approachable naturalists and sea captains who are eager to answer your questions! Until next time, readers. Get out there and explore! Adventure awaits!