Poison Oak can cause an allergic reaction in nearly 85 percent of the population.
What causes an allergic reaction?
The resin in the plants contains an oily substance called urushiol.
Urushiol is easily transferred from the plants to other objects, including toys, garments, and animals.
This chemical can remain active for a year or longer.
It is important to know that the oils can also be transferred from clothing, pets, and can be present in the smoke from a burning plant.
What are the symptoms of an allergic reaction to poison ivy/poison oak?
The reaction is usually contact dermatitis, which may occur several hours, days, or even weeks after exposure.
The dermatitis is characterized by a rash followed by bumps and blisters that itch.
Sometimes swelling occurs in the area of contact.
Eventually, the blisters break, ooze, and then crust over.
Treatment for poison oak :
Avoid the poisonous plants is the best treatment.
If contact with the plants has already occurred you should remove the oils from the skin as soon as possible.
Cleansing with an ordinary soap within six hours after the initial exposure has proven to be effective.
Repeat the cleaning with the soap three times.
There are also alcohol based wipes that help remove the oils.
Wash all clothes and shoes also, because the oils can remain on these.
Is poison oak contagious?
Poison oak cannot be spread from person to person by touching the blisters, or from the fluid inside the blisters.
It can be spread, however, if the oils remain on the skin, clothes, or shoes.
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