What should I do if I know I've come into contact with poison oak?
A surprisingly high number of people suffer needlessly from rashes caused by poison oak, for the simple reason that they don't know how the poison actually works. Many don't realize that just brushing up against the plant doesn't always result in a rash, and that it could be at the very least minimized if not completely prevented by responding quickly.
Poison oak contains a toxic oil known as urushiol, and when this oil ends up on the skin due to contact with poison oak, it triggers an allergic reaction called urushiol-induced contact dermatitis. Urushiol causes a rash in about 85% of people when it binds to the skin and is absorbed. Unfortunately, there's no real cure for the rash, although there are of course plenty of treatments and remedies to help ease the symptoms. It consists of red, inflamed or swollen patches of skin with raised bumps or blisters filled with fluid, and it tends to be extremely itchy.
Since there's no way of immediately curing poison oak rash and guaranteeing to get it to disappear, the best measure available is prevention. There are two ways of doing this. Firstly, and most obviously, get rid of any poison oak plants you know to exist in your garden or nearby areas frequented by you, your children, or your pets. Secondly, be completely familiar with what poison oak looks like.
This second option isn't just a matter of spotting it and therefore being able to prevent it. Unfortunately, it's very easy to accidentally brush against or touch poison oak, without realizing or seeing it until it's too late. But there's still hope, even if you've done this! However, you must be able to recognize the plant so that you'll be able to spot it even if it's after you've already touched it. This way, you'll realize immediately that you've been exposed, and you'll be able to take action.
Firstly, do not touch your skin, or any area of your clothes that you think might have come into contact with the poison oak! This is very important, as the urushiol will be waiting on the surface of anything that has touched the plant. This means you can very easily spread it around through touch – and not only that, but you can rub it in without knowing, helping it to absorb more quickly. And once it's been absorbed by your skin, there's no getting rid of it!
Instead, respond quickly and apply rubbing alcohol to the affected area. This helps to kill the urushiol. You need to get the toxic oil off of your skin as quickly as possible, so follow the alcohol with a thorough rinse with cold water (warm water will open your pores and make it easier for the urushiol to be absorbed). After rinsing, you should then wash with soap and water – first the exposed area, then (wearing gloves) anything that touched the poison oak, including your clothes and footwear, and even your dog if he was with you at the time! After that, take a full shower, and wash well.
If you reacted quickly enough, you'll hopefully have managed to get the oil off before it had time to soak into your skin. Even if some was absorbed, removing as much as possible will hopefully lessen the severity of the allergic reaction.
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