Identifying and Treating Poison Oak
Camp is an amazing place to have fun but it's also a place where poison oak lives. Here are a few things to remember and some best practices if you ever encounter it.
*Please note that IHC is not a medical facility or made up of medical professionals, and all of our advice is our opinion and shouldn't be construed as professional medical advice.
Be on the Lookout
Poison oak usually has groups of 3 lobed leaves growing from a single center. The leaf color can range from anything of light green to dark green, red, orange, or even brown in the spring and fall. This can make it look a lot like a baby oak tree. Here are some rhymes to help you remember:
“Leaves of three, let it be.” - If you see groupings of 3 leaves bunched together, glossier or shinier than a normal oak, DON'T TOUCH IT!
“Red leaflets in the spring, it’s a dangerous thing.” - if a leaf seems to be turning while in the spring, it's probably poison oak. DON'T TOUCH IT!
Exposure
It finally happens: you've accidentally brushed up against poison oak. What now? Urushiol oil is what causes the itch. The consistency of urushiol is a lot like motor oil and can take a lot of effort to get off. If you are exposed, here's what to do:
Check if you're exposed to poison oak and remember that it can get on clothes, gloves, hats, or even your skin and still transfer to something (or someone) else.
Wash as soon as you know you made contact! This includes clothes, tools, equipment, or anything else that you think may have been exposed. Use a de-greasing soap like Dawn or Joy for cutting through the urushiol and removing it from your skin.
Alcohol-based wipes are a good initial wash, and other (more expensive) creams and washes can also help. Be thorough and get everywhere on the exposed areas: under fingernails, behind elbows, at folds in the skin, and go over more than once to be sure you've thoroughly cleaned the area.
If a rash does break out, DON'T ITCH IT! Calamine or caladryl lotions are great anti-itch measures, as well as Zanfel (but it will run you about $32 for 1 ounce).
If the rash is severe and causes blisters, do not pop or pierce the blisters as that welcomes infection into your injury.
If the rash becomes severe and you're concerned about it, get help from a doctor. They may prescribe cortisone shots or prednisone pills to reduce inflammation from the inside. Always ask your doctor if you're worried about your rash!
Stay on the lookout for the oak imposter and enjoy your next hike!
