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Guide to identifying and avoiding poison ivy on Martha's Vineyard. Recognition tips, treatment options, and safety measures for island trail visitors.
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One thing to know before you walk any island trail: there is poison ivy nearly everywhere. If you plan to hike through Manuel F. Correllus State Forest, walk secluded beaches, or follow nature trails, knowing how to identify and avoid this common plant will keep your visit safe.
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Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) is a native North American plant that contains urushiol, an oily resin that causes allergic contact dermatitis in approximately 85% of the population. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, poison ivy is responsible for more cases of allergic contact dermatitis than all other plant allergens combined.
Look for three leaflets, glossy in summer and red in fall, often climbing as a hairy vine. When in doubt, the old rule holds: leaves of three, let it be.
The classic identification rule leaves of three, let it be is your first line of defense, but poison ivy can be tricky to identify due to its variable appearance.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), never burn poison ivy. Inhaling smoke from burning poison ivy can cause severe respiratory reactions and lung inflammation.
Young poison ivy at the edge of a path. Note the reddish stems and glossy leaflets in groups of three.
It thrives along dune paths, trail edges and old stone walls all across the island. Check the borders of any beach path before you cut through.
Poison ivy thrives in Martha's Vineyard's coastal climate and can be found across all six island towns: Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Haven, West Tisbury, Chilmark, and Aquinnah.
The best treatment for poison ivy is prevention. What works:
An identification sign breaks down the trifoliate leaf: pointed tips, coarsely toothed margins and those clusters of hard white berries.
According to the Mayo Clinic, if you suspect poison ivy contact:
If you develop poison ivy dermatitis during your Martha's Vineyard visit, prompt treatment can reduce severity and duration of symptoms.
Wash affected area with cool water and mild soap. Avoid hot water, which can open pores and worsen absorption.
Cool compresses, calamine lotion or an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream can take the edge off. Try not to scratch, since broken skin can get infected. Island pharmacies stock all of these.
Get checked if the rash is on your face, near your eyes or on your genitals, if it covers a large part of your body, or if blisters ooze pus or you run a fever. Trouble breathing or swallowing, especially after being near burning brush, needs emergency care right away. Our hospital, urgent care and pharmacy guide lists where to go on the island.
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Yes. It grows in all six towns and thrives in the coastal climate. Expect it along trail edges in the State Forest, at Felix Neck and Cedar Tree Neck, on beach access paths, behind the dunes and along roadsides and fence lines. Staying on marked trails avoids most of it.
Three leaflets per stem, with the middle leaflet on its own short stalk. Edges can be smooth or toothed, the surface shiny or dull, and it grows as a vine, a shrub or ground cover. When in doubt, leaves of three, let it be.
Wash the skin right away with cool water and soap, and clean any clothing, gear and tools that touched the plant. Avoid hot water. Prompt washing reduces how bad the rash gets. If it spreads or you are worried, see a doctor.
The oil can ride on fur, so keep dogs on a leash on trails and wash them with gloves on if they ran through brush. For where dogs are welcome on the island, see our dog-friendly guide.
It can be. The oil stays active on dead stems and bare vines, so reactions happen year-round, not just in leafy summer. Long pants and closed shoes are still the rule on off-season walks. Never burn brush that might contain it.
Ticks are the other reason to stay on the path and wear long pants. Our tick safety guide covers how to check yourself and what to watch for after a hike anywhere on the island.
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