Identifying poison oak is the first thing you should do to avoid exposure. The leaves are similar to those grown on an oak tree with rounded tips, and they are slightly larger than poison ivy leaves. Three leaflets appear on a poison oak plant,...
A rash caused by skin contact with an allergen is referred to by the medical term "allergic contact dermatitis." Allergic contact dermatitis occurs when the body identifies a foreign substance as being a potential threat and responds by releasing...
Poison oak is a plant that is native to the West Coast and Southern sections of the United States. The plant grows in either a shrub or vine formation; its yellow or green flowers may include white berries . Poison oak leaves contain an oil called...
Poison oak rash is a type of allergic skin rash that causes contact dermatitis. The poison oak's leaves, stems and roots contain an oily substance called urushiol; when urushiol comes in contact with skin, a rash forms. MayoClinic.com states that...
Poison oak leaves contain urushiol oil. When the oil has contact with skin, a reaction occurs. Signs and symptoms include severe itching, discomfort, swelling and a red or pink rash. According to the Mayo Clinic, the rash can appear 12 to 48 hours...
"Leaflets of three, beware of me," is an age-old axiom taught to children to help them identify poison ivy. Surprisingly, most people don't develop a rash after their first romp through this deliciously-evil but innocent-looking plant, says the...
Exposure to poison oak can cause a red, bumpy rash that makes it difficult to focus on anything other than finding relief for the intense itching. Severe reactions intensify symptoms and increase the duration of the rash. While most cases of...
A blister is a collection of fluid under the upper layers of the skin. Blisters are commonly circular in shape and are filled with serum, the clear fluid that leaks from damaged blood vessels. Whether blisters itch or not is an important clue in...
A member of the thistle family, burdock grows wild all over Eurasia and North America. You may be familiar with the prickly burs which spread themselves by attaching to clothing, hair, and fur in the fall. It can also be easily grown with very...
Poison ivy rash can cause itching, redness and swelling. The poison ivy plant, as well as similar plants such as poison oak and poison sumac, produces an oily resin on the leaves called urushiol. Poison ivy infections can be spread by direct...
Before you set off on your trip, take the time to become familiar with the vegetation found on your route. Buy a small book that lists the names and photos of toxic plants. Mark the pages of plants that grow in the region of your backpacking trip...
A poison oak rash is the result of being exposed to sap from the poison oak plants. This oily sap is on the leaves, stems, and roots of these plants. Poison oak causes contact dermatitis, which is an allergic reaction that causes the skin to...
The poison oak bush has shiny leaves that appear in groups of three. Contact with a poison oak plant is very irritating to the skin. The oily sap it emits causes skin outbreaks. Anywhere the skin wipes against the oil of the poison oak, there may...
In most cases, rash spots on the face are harmless and resolve themselves over time. Persistent rash spots on the face may be a sign of an underlying condition, according to Medline Plus, a National Institutes of Health website. If you develop a...
Over half of our population is allergic to urushiol oil, the active component in poison oak. Even the smallest amount of contact with the oil can cause a severe rash that results in blistering and oozing of the skin. The rash is extremely itchy,...
It can be frustrated to have dry, scaly bumps on your ears and not understand what's causing this condition. A variety of factors can cause these symptoms and they don't always happen on the ears alone. Making an appointment with a dermatologist...
Poison oak is a plant that is identified by three leaves. In most cases the middle leaf is the longest. It can grow as a vine or a shrub. In some areas the plant may have yellow or green flowers and clusters of green-yellow or white berries. The...
"Leaves of three, don't touch me" and "leaves of three, let them be" may be familiar safety reminders to those who played outside in the woods or attended summer camp as a child. The rashes and discomfort associated with poison ivy take some time...
Bring along a small first aid kit in your backpack. Include medications you might need plus standard supplies like antiseptic wipes and different kinds of bandages. An elastic roll bandage comes in handy for turned ankles. Include tweezers for...
The most common cause of allergic skin reactions in the United States, the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics report, is contact with a substance found in three plants --- poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac, according. These plants...
Poison oak contains a substance called urushiol that causes contact dermatitis. Urushiol is a gooey oleoresin produced in the stems, roots, leaves and flowers of the poison oak plant. Contact dermatitis refers to a skin inflammation caused by...
Poison oak is an allergy-inducing plant that grows mainly in the Southeast and on the West Coast, according to the Centers for Disease Control. The allergy-causing substance in poison oak is an oil called urushiol, which is present in all parts of...
Poison oak and its cousins, poison ivy and poison sumac, all release the oil urushiol from every part of the plant. This oil is extraordinarily powerful; even a billionth of a gram can cause a rash for most people. A quarter of an ounce would...
During the warmer months of the year, many people head out of doors for exercise. Walking, hiking and running in natural environments are good ways to build stamina, enjoy nature, and get away from the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life....
You may periodically experience an itch on your skin, scalp, or eyes. You can usually relieve the occasional itch by lightly scratching it. But persistent itching is annoying, and constantly scratching the same place will irritate your skin and...
