Poison Oak: Leaves of three, let it be

How many of you have experienced Poison Oak? For those of you who haven’t, Poison Oak is a plant that is common on the Pacific Coast and some parts of the East and South. Exposure to Poison Oak causes a red, itchy, runny rash within a few hours to as much as 72 hours after contact. The rash lasts from one to three weeks. According to the American College of Dermatology, “Eighty five percent of the population will develop an allergic reaction to Poison Oak. If you don’t get it the first time, repeated exposure will eventually lead to the Poison Oak rash unless several precautions are taken.”

What makes Poison Oak so potent? Poison Oak has a milky oil called Urushiol in its sap. Urushiol rapidly penetrates the skin and combines with skin proteins. A quarter ounce of Urushiol is all that is needed to cause a rash in every person on earth. One to five years is normal for the oil to stay active on any surface including dead plants. According to the FDA, “Urushiol can stick to pets, garden tools, balls, or anything it comes in contact with the oil.” I was surprised to find out that the oil can soak thru clothes and that dirt can be contaminated by the oil. The oil can be transmitted when Poison Oak is burned, sometimes causing death.
All this sounds like bad news. You want to get out and enjoy nature but you don’t want to get Poison Oak. There are a lot of remedies that everyone swears by. Not every remedy works for everyone. Here are a couple simple techniques to prevent Poison Oak.
First of all, avoid Poison Oak. This sounds easy but it’s not. Poison Oak is a great illusionist. It masquerades as berry bushes because it grows in vine form. Many people get Poison Oak while pulling out what they think are berry bushes out of their backyards. It’s Oak shaped leaves in shrub form masquerade as Oak Trees. The best way to recognize Poison Oak is to remember “leaves of three, leave it be! In Spring and Summer, Poison Oak leaves are shiny green. Little green berries are among the leaves. In the Fall, the leaves turn yellow and red and the berries are pale yellow. The Fall is the easiest time to recognize Poison Oak. In the late Fall and Winter, Poison Oak drops its leaves becoming unrecognizable. Its bare branches and dead leaves can still cause severe allergic reactions.
Secondly, most people who are moderately allegic have several hours to remove the oil from their skin. Use products such as Tecnu Poison Oak N Ivy Cleaner immediately after exposure. Apply Tecnu to exposed, unwetted skin within 2 to 8 hours after exposure. Rub vigorously for 2 minutes to remove poison oils and other contaminants from the skin. Rinse the skin clean with cool running water or wipe off with a cloth. Repeat. When you get home remove all contaminated items with plastic gloves. Do not allow the items to touch anything. If you can’t wash everything immediately store the items in plastic bags. Wipe off shoes, tools and anything else with alcohol and water. If poisoning occurs even after laundering, dry cleaning may be necessary. Do not wash contaminated clothes with other clothes. Take care to rinse the washing machine thoroughly. Discard your gloves when done. Take a cool shower and use a dish soap that has a degreaser. Do not take a hot bath as the hot water will release the oil and contaminate more areas.

Quick Tip: Carry gloves, plastic bags, and a change of clothing in your car.

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