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QUIZ: How good are you at identifying poison ivy?

Poison ivy is poised to take full advantage of climate change. With warmer temperatures and rising carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, scientists say poison ivy grows faster, its leaves get bigger and its toxic oil becomes even more virulent.

That oil — called urushiol — triggers an allergic reaction in roughly 80% to 85% of people. However, the severity of the reaction varies, sending some people to the emergency room, while others suffer only a mild, itchy rash.

“The same exposure in two different people will cause a very different set of symptoms and rashes,” said Louis Kuchnir, a dermatologist in the suburbs west of Boston who treats poison ivy regularly.

The best approach to prevent a reaction, he said, is to identify the plant and avoid it. Unfortunately, poison ivy can be surprisingly tricky to spot.

Here is a quiz to test your knowledge of poison ivy’s telltale features. Let's see how well you’re able to steer clear!

This story was originally published by WBUR. It was shared as part of the New England News Collaborative.

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

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You just read trusted, local journalism that’s free for everyone, thanks to donors like you.

If that matters to you, now is the time to give. Join the 50,000+ members powering honest reporting and a more connected — and civil! — Connecticut.

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