FAQ - Poison Oak - Toxic FactsAvoid
this deadly poison.
FAQ - Poison Oak - Toxic Facts
Poison Oak grows throughout California.
Poison Oak is usually 12" to 30" high. Poison Oak vines usually have 3
leaves ("leaves of three, let it be!) with short, smooth hair underneath.
The plant has fuzzy white berries that turn reddish brown. Plants are red and
dark green, turn yellow as they dry, and then turn red and brown in the Fall.
The plant loses leaves in Winter, but its leaves stems are still poison.
Scouts "get" Poison Oak by
touching bruised or broken plants that release oily resin. This oil is almost
invisible. It gets on hands, arms, faces, legs, any exposed skin, and even in
eyes and ears. After touching a plant, a Scout can spread the poisonous oil onto
his pants, shirt and shoes. Then the Scout goes into his tent, spreading Poison
Oak oil on his sleeping bag. He throws his infected clothes around and spreads
poison onto everything! Sometimes Scouts even burn poison oak branches by
mistake. The smoke is poison, and can be life-threatening.
At camp or on the trail...
If you walk in poison oak, take off your
clothes and shoes outside your tent as soon as possible. Put them in a bag. Wash
quickly with soap & water. Remember, your shoes are coated with poison oil !
Leave them outside your tent! Wash clothing several times before reuse.
The poison rash will be more mild if the
oil has less time to enter your skin. The longer the oil stays on your skin, the
more you react to the poison! Use soap and water right away. Don't forget your
fingernails! Water alone will help, but soap will wash off more oil. Oak-and-Ivy
skin cleaners are also good. These have chemicals that break down the toxic oil.
Some people suggest that you wash down with alcohol swabs to break down the oil.
When the rash arrives...
Poison oil from the plant easily enters
your skin. Poison Oak leaves a red, bumpy skin rash. You may also swelling
and develop itchy blisters that ooze, harden and then crack. The rash can begin
within 30 minutes or as late as 2 weeks after exposure. It reaches its peak 4-5
days after it begins. Blisters can break open and release watery liquid. The
rash, blisters, or fluid are not contagious. Healing usually takes 1 to 2 weeks.
The rash is an allergic reaction, caused by the body's reaction to the oil
rather than damage by the oil itself.
Treatment
for mild Poison Oak cases is mainly to protect damaged skin, prevent infection,
avoid another exposure, and relieve itching. One good treatment for Poison Oak
rash is non-prescription Benadryl (r) antihistamine. Hydrocortisone cream, or
less effective Calamine lotion can help dry the rash and blisters, and ease
itching. Cool water will reduce itching. Avoid hot water.
Severe Poison Oak??
See Your Physician
If treatment is not effective, or for
really bad cases, see your doctor. This applies if the rash is extremely severe
and painful, interferes with activity, or if you have the following:
* difficulty breathing
* eyes swell shut
* blisters longer than two weeks
* fever, headaches, nausea,
* swollen lymph nodes (neck, underarms, or
groin)
"Cures" to Avoid...
Avoid
these remedies!!
* Bleach
* Very hot showers
* Oatmeal
* Scratching rash
* Fels Naptha
* Witch Hazel
* Aloe Vera
* Jewelweed
* Goldenseal
* Comfrey
* Plantain
* Baking soda
Disclaimer...
This information is only a guide. It does
not replace a physician's advice and care. You may want to get a copy of Safety
Pamphlet No. 10015 -- Poison Oak, titled "Do you know this plant?"
from the State Compensation Insurance Fund, 525 Golden Gate Avenue, San
Francisco, CA 94102.
Poison
Oak... Fact or Fiction?
"Scratching spreads the oil." This
is fiction. Oil is not in the blister or rash. But scratching can spread infection, making the situation can
become much more severe.
"The rash is contagious."
This is fiction. Only
the oil can be transmitted to others.
"Once you get a reaction to poison oak, you always
will.”
This is fact.
"Poison Oak only has 3 leaves."
This is fiction. Poison
Oak can have only one, or up to five leaves.
"Poison Oak only is only a vine."
This is fiction. Shrubs
can grow to twelve feet tall.