Guide on Poison-Oak - What is it and How to avoid it

A Guide on Pacific-Oak​

"Leaves of three let them be"​

Written and Assembled by The Black Sun​

Introduction: What is it and Where can I find it?
Pacific Poison-oak, or Toxicodendron diversilobum, is a plant best known for its ability to cause allergic rashes after contact. Western Poison-oak is found only on the Pacific Coast of the United States and of Canada. It is extremely common in that region. the closely related Atlantic Poison-oak occurs on the Atlantic Coast. The hyphenated form "Poison-oak" is used rather than "Poison Oak" to clearly indicate that it is not a variety of oak, just as "Poison-ivy" is not a variety of ivy.

What does it look like and how to avoid it
Western Poison-oak is extremely variable in growth habit and leaf appearance. It grows as a dense shrub in open sunlight, or as a climbing vine in shaded areas. Like Poison ivy, it reproduces by creeping rootstocks or by seeds. The leaves are divided into three leaflets with scalloped, toothed, or lobed edges- generally resembling the leaves of a true oak, though the Western Poison-oak leaves will tend to be glossier. Leaves are typically bronze when first unfolding, bright green in the spring, yellow-green to reddish in the summer, and bright red or pink in the fall.
When taking a walk or hike, be sure to watch out for this glossy plant as it can turn into a nasty and itchy rash. This rash is capable of spreading and in some cases can cover most of your body therefore leading to hospitalization.

Causes of Exposure - Why to avoid it
Western Poison-oak leaves and twigs have surface oil, urushiol, which causes an allergic reaction. Around 15-30% of people have no allergic response, but most if not all will become sensitized over time with repeated or more concentrated exposure to urushiol.

Pictures - Avoid these plants!








Works Consulted and External Information

Western Poison-Oak
Eastern Pacific-Oak
Poison-Oak Information Center

 

err i remmeber when i was like 14 i touched poison oak at a field trip. i got hella rashes

 

Yeah its not fun. Once u accidentally bump it once the itching never stops lolol

 

Good guide, it is very helpful. Is there any way once you get it to get rid of it or lessen the harshness?

 

Theres this wierd cream you can get, not sure what its called. Pharmacies usually carry it. It just helps the itching to stop, but too bad I cant use this for an UE application D:

 

Nice Guide, Help alot.

 

Thankyouu glad I could be of assistance

 

I think its called Calamine lotion, it's often used for chicken pox.

 

Yeah. I have some thats pink.