Poison Oak

throwinmetal · Veteran Member

Poison Oak

JT · Senior Member

Some people have reactions to Poison Oak but some do not.� My dad, for�example, is�highly susceptible to it.� I've never had any problems, though.� You're�correct�that one can�develop a sensitivity to it.� I'm sure I'll have a reaction to it one of these days.�

shon42073 · Senior Member

everyone is different, some get it bad, some moderate, and some really bad. If you fish putah ya better learn to identify it. I think even though it has no leaves this time of year the stems can still give you the rash.

Flying Dutchman · Senior Member

Tecnu (purchase at any drugstore) works very well if you do have a reaction to poison oak. A rash usually appears from eight hours to two days after contact. I've often wondered about my waders/boots having contact with the poison oak oil (urushiol) and touching the waders days/weeks later...

SK60 · Senior Member

Here's the technical explanation. Sensitivity to PO is an allergy. It is induced by exposure to an oily material that the leaves and stems have on their surface. You have to have skin contact with the leaves/stems, leaving the oil where it can bind to the skin. It may take more than one contact episode to get the sensitivity established; once established its usually life long and causes the itching, redness swelling, each time you come in contact with it. Although you might only touch it with your hands, your hands typically touch other parts of your body, depositing the oil on the skin of, for example, your face and privates, and then the allergic reaction starts. It may take a few days for the reaction to be noticeable, so don't assume you are safe right away. Best prevention is soap and water as soon as possible after you think you have been exposed by rubbing up against the plant (it can be transferred to skin from clothes). Lots of web sites will show pictures of it. It is sometimes more difficult to ID in winter, because it will loose most of its leaves. It is still toxic through the stems.

Emerger · Senior Member

I agree with SK60 that the best prevention is soap and water. In my experience I have found that it's best to use the hottest water you can stand with a strong soap in a shower--not a bath. In a bath the oil from the PO floats on the surface of the water and there is a chance that it will cling to your skin as you exit the tub. I hear the oil is potent on clothes and shoes for a while so I always place those in the wash before I jump in the shower.

cole · Senior Member

Those are good preventative measures.� I get it systemically.� Meaning I get it worse than anyone I have ever seen.� I aint exagerating either.� That's why I can't wet wade the creek in the summer.� Last time I went to the doctor, yes I entered a hospital it was so bad, the doc told me to chuck the Tecnu and use dish soap with cold water instead.� Dish soap has great oil breaking up abilities.� I always thought there could be a poison oak gas to use in chemical warfare.� Good news is that it doesn't grow above 3000 feet but a lot of the trout get skinny up there too.

shon42073 · Senior Member

When fishing at elevation theres no poison oak and no rattle snakes. I've known some people that get it like Cole is saying and it's really bad for em. I barely get it.

SK60 · Senior Member

You can find rattlers in summer active above 3000 feet. The middle fork feather river and Carson River area are good examples from personal experience. Its true that they may be fewer than at lower elevations, but its still a good idea to always watch your step and hand holds when climbing or rock hopping at up to 5000 ft.

JT · Senior Member

It is rare to see rattlesnakes above 5000 feet, but always be on the lookout for them.� I've seen them above 5000 feet twice: once at about 6000 feet and the other at about 6500 feet.