Poison oak as a member of the plant genus Toxicodendrons, along with poison ivy and poison sumac. In the United States, two distinctive species of poison oak are present: eastern poison oak and western poison oak. While poison oak species are notoriously known for causing a skin rash, oozing blisters, redness and itching, they can also cause a variety of other complications.
Allergic Manifestations
According to University of California at Santa Cruz Student Health Center, exposure to poison oak may cause systemic allergic manifestations in addition to the skin manifestations. Allergic reactions to poison oak may manifest as difficulty in breathing, wheezing or shortness of breath. The eyes and face may swell, signaling the onset of severe form of allergy called angioneurotic edema. This severe, widespread allergic reaction, called anaphylaxis, may be fatal and requires urgent medical attention. The risk of occurrence of systemic allergy and respiratory complications is greater when the particles of poison oak are ingested or inhaled, such in forest fires involving large areas of poison oak.
Kidney Damage
The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library lists poison oak as a potential cause for kidney damage and the development of a condition known as nephritic syndrome, in which the patient excretes large amounts of protein in the urine because of the damage to the the glomeruli, the kidney's functioning unit. Sometimes this damage progresses to renal failure. One of the telltale signs of nephritic syndrome is swelling in the eyelids and face upon waking in the morning.
Toxic Shock Syndrome
The March 1989 issue of the Journal of Pediatric Emergency Care describes toxic shock syndrome as a complication of poison oak skin inflammation. This may be due to a secondary infection occurring in an area with extensive blistering. Toxic shock syndrome is characterized by fever, low blood pressure, collapse and, eventually, failure of the vital organs.
References
- The Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology; JD Guin et. al.; Recognizing The Toxicodendrons (Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, And Poison Sumac); January 1981.
- University of California at Santa Cruz: Student Health Information Center: Poison Oak.
- The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: Nephrotic Syndrome
- The Journal of Paediatric Emergency Care; R. Kishaba et. al.; Toxic shock syndrome associated with poison oak dermatitis; March 1989
