Is There a Safe Poison Oak Season?

Although summer seems to be the time more people become affected by poison oak, there is no safe season for the plant because it is potent year round. By being able to identify, prevent, and if necessary, treat poison oak the chances of the irritable rash are lessened.

Affects of Poison Oak

• Contact with poison oak's oil, urushiol, causes a condition called contact dermatitis that can result in an itchy rash, blisters and hives that sometimes do not show up for days. This is caused by touching poison oak or any clothing or item that might have brushed against the plant.

Identification

• Red poison oak leaves and berries

  Poison oak is a shrub that can be identified by its three wide leaves bunched together. On rare occasions it might have up to seven leaves. During the summer months, the leaves take on an oily reddish hue.

Location

• Poison oak growing out of an oak tree

  Poison oak is found in the western United states and Canada in wooded areas. It grows fullest and in highest quantity near water and at the base of oak trees.

Prevention

• To prevent contact dermatitis, avoid contact with poison oak as much as possible. If contact is unavoidable, wear thick pants and gloves when dealing with poison oak.

Treatment

• First, wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water and wash clothes immediately to prevent other contamination. If a rash and blisters appear, calamine lotion will help the irritation.

Misconceptions

• The rash caused by poison oak is not contagious, it spreads because of trace amounts of urushiol left on hands or clothing. Also, there is no safe season or part of poison oak. It produces urushiol year round and is spread evenly throughout the plant.