If I get a rash from poison oak, can I spread it?
For about 85% of people, coming into contact with poison oak will result in the appearance of an itchy red rash, thanks to the oi known as “urushiol” which exists in the leaves, stems, and roots of these plants. When it is transferred from the plant to your skin, it is absorbed and causes a reaction called urushiol-induced contact dermatitis – a bumpy rash with blisters and incessant itching, burning sensations, and occasionally swelling.
It's extremely easy to catch poison oak. All it takes is for your skin to brush against a leaf, and the oil will be transferred. When the oil is still on the surface of your skin, it can be spread around unknowingly by the victim – if you don't know you've been exposed, and you rub, scratch and touch your skin, the oil will move to your fingers and then be distributed all over anything else you touch.
However, if you realize that you've been in contact with poison oak, you can actually preent the rash from occurring simply by washing the affected area. If you're fortunate and have responded immediately, you should succeed in removing the oil from your skin. Before you've done this, it's essential not to touch or scratch, as this will result in not only spreading the oil around, but also rubbing it into the skin. Once it's been absorbed, there's no way of getting it off.
Once you have washed all the urushiol off your skin, you can't spread it any more. This means that even if you do still break out in a rash, scratching it won't make the rash spread – this is a common myth. The oil can only be spread if it's still on your skin – if you've washed, it won't be. You may, however, notice the rash spreading all the same. This is not because you've been scratching! It could be one of several reasons.
Firstly, when urushiol lands on your skin, it isn't all absorbed at exactly the same rate, nor is it distributed evenly over your body. The parts of skin that got less of it, therefore, may take longer to come out in a rash.
Secondly, the poison can be spread internally around your body, and thus can surface in unexpected places. It can't be spread externally, via the fluid that can come from the blisters.
Thirdly, have you considered the possibility that you're continuing to be exposed to poison oak or urushiol without realising it? If rashes keep appearing as if they are spreading, it's very likely that they're because of continued exposure to fresh urushiol. This is why it's important to wash everything that you think might have come into contact with poison oak, such as clothing, gardening tools and so on. You should also destroy any poison oak in your garden or nearby areas. And beware of your dog or cat! If you keep breaking out in unexplained poison oak rashes, chances are that your pet is continuing to brush against poison oak somewhere, and then transferring the urushiol from his or her fur on to your skin.
As long as you've eliminated possible sources and carriers of urushiol, you won't continue to be affected – scratching won't spread your rash, although it will certainly hurt and irritate your skin if you do it too often! Best to use a natural remedy or invest in some kind of lotion to ease the itching instead. Even though scratching doesn't spread a poison oak rash, it's still best avoided.
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