Poison Oak (and how not to get it, from personal experience)

Three weeks ago today, I somehow contracted poison oak. And the itchiness is only now finally subsiding. I believe my dogs somehow gave it to me when we let them off leash in the "Radio Tower" field behind our house (see previous backyard hike). I distinctly remembering having to tackle Juneau, resulting in the two of us tumbling into a bush, me on top of her. Everywhere she rubbed up against me, I broke out in a rash. Then, I broke out in secondary rashes in other horrible, unspeakable places. Three weeks of maddening itchiness can drive one nuts. Here's how to avoid it.

-rash on my wrist.

-rash on my neck.

Poison oak in Guajome Park

Poison oak in Buena Vista Park, Vista, CA

Poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum)--an invasive species that has taken over most of the Pacific coast. Everywhere I go now, I spot this evil plant (see pics above). There is no cure. There are no allergy shots. The best thing you can do is avoid it. Look for leaves of three. The leaves vary from bright green to pretty red and orange fall colors. They can grow along the ground, in big bushes, or even up around tree trunks. The leaves are bumpy and ruffled, like oak leaves, and glisten with their oily toxin--urushiol.

Urushiol--the evil chemical that makes poison oak, poison ivy, and poison sumac something to be avoided at all costs. Poison oak is commonly found on the west coast, and poison ivy is found on the east coast. Interestingly, urushiol is not a true poison, but a human-specific allergen instead. It overstimulates an allergic reaction in us, but most other animals, including livestock, cats, and dogs, are immune to it. In fact, some species, like goats, even eat it!

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urushiol
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urushiol-induced_contact_dermatitishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urushiol-induced_contact_dermatitis

After getting the oil on your skin (it only takes 1 nanogram to stimulate an allergic reaction), an itchy, red rash develops 12-72 hours. Rashes often continue to break out for several days. The itchiness can last from 3 to 5 weeks, usually peaking somewhere between 5-10 days. If the rash is around eyes, nose, mouth, genitals, or covers more than 1/3 of your body, an emergency doctor's visit is in order. Usually, she will put you on a 10-day course of Prednisone, a glucocorticosteroid which is a major ant-inflammatory agent and immunosuppressant. This is why it can only be taken for a short period.

The rash is not contagious. By the time the rash has broken out, the oils have been washed away. One person cannot "catch" poison oak from someone else with the rash. Be sure, however, to vigorously wash any clothing, shoes, sheets, blankets, towels, and pets that may have come in contact with the oil. That is a great way to get a secondary allergic reaction.

If you think you will be exposed to poison oak/ivy on a hike, you can apply a cream containing bentoquatum, like Ivy Block, which will slow down how quickly the urushiol gets absorbed into your skin. You should still avoid it as much as possible. Be sure to shower with lots of soap (water alone will not wash off the oil), even if you use Ivy Block.

Links:

• http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/plants/
• http://www.gemplers.com/tech/faq-poison-ivy.htm
• http://www.wikihow.com/Prevent-Getting-Poison-Ivy-or-Poison-Oak
• http://www.essortment.com/rid-poison-ivy-oak-sumac-26063.html
• http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/7945/8214/7770.html?d=dmtJHE%20