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Poison Oak Poison oak related rash is common here in the Willamette Valley. It results from an exposure to the resins in the leaves and stems of the poison oak plant. Once it is on your skin you begin to form a reaction to it. The reaction is usually marked by linear to patchy areas of redness and small vesicles filled with fluid. The rash will generally itch vigorously. The area of rash is usually limited to areas of contact, hence this rash is called a "contact dermatitis". You cannot spread it to family members or friends. The rash will resolve on it's own eventually. If you scratch it enough it may become secondarily infected from bacteria on your fingers, so trim your nails and keep your hands clean. You can beat the rash and itching down with simple preparations such as 1% hydrocortisone cream applied two or three times a day. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl®) or chlorpheniramine (Chlortrimeton®) can take away itching and make sleep easier, remember they can make you sleepy when taken in the daytime. Bland ointments such as Calamine® or Caladryl® (contains diphenhydramine) can be helpful to relieve itching. Remember to wash the clothing you were wearing when you contacted the poison oak, there is no sense in re-exposing yourself repeatedly. Also, beware of standing in and breathing the smoke from burning poison oak plants. If you have an extensive case of poison oak covering a large portion of your body you may want to see me and get a prescription for a tapering course of prednisone by mouth. This works quite well. I will always remember the morning I went out bow hunting for deer early before dawn. I got myself in just "the right spot". As the sun was coming up I was marveling at what a great spot I had picked. But then as I became able to see the plants, I realised it was a large thicket of poison oak. Thankfully, I was covered from head to toe in camoflage. I found a new spot before I changed color under the camoflage. |
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