Trindel Insurance FundTrindel Insurance Fund

Poison Oak Poison Oak

Prevention & SurvivalPrevention & Survival

IdentificationIdentification

Three leaf clusterThree leaf cluster Oak like in appearanceOak like in appearance Bush or VinesBush or Vines

Up to 30 ft in heightUp to 30 ft in height

• In winter only vine and stem

•Clusters of white berries

Causes Allergic ReactionCauses Allergic Reaction

The culprit is urushiol (The culprit is urushiol (oo-roo-shee-ohloo-roo-shee-ohl) oil) oil Found in the stem and leaf.Found in the stem and leaf. Plant must be damaged to release Plant must be damaged to release Poison oak is a delicate plantPoison oak is a delicate plant Oil is released even from insect chewing Oil is released even from insect chewing

Urushiol Oil:Urushiol Oil:Evil and PersistentEvil and Persistent

¼ Ounce could cause a rash on every person ¼ Ounce could cause a rash on every person on earthon earth

500 people could itch from an amount the size 500 people could itch from an amount the size of head of a pinof head of a pin

Urushiol oil several centuries old has caused Urushiol oil several centuries old has caused rashesrashes

How Do You Get It?How Do You Get It? Sensitivity varies Sensitivity varies Contact with the oil from a damaged plantContact with the oil from a damaged plant Oil is transferred to clothing, tools, pets, etc.Oil is transferred to clothing, tools, pets, etc. Rash only occurs where oil touches the skin.Rash only occurs where oil touches the skin. Remember it is persistentRemember it is persistent Allergic reaction within 24 - 48 hoursAllergic reaction within 24 - 48 hours

Prevention!Prevention!

Avoid contactAvoid contact Wear long pants, sleeves, socks and gloves Wear long pants, sleeves, socks and gloves Wear eye protectionWear eye protection Rinse exposed areas in cool water before Rinse exposed areas in cool water before

washing with soap.washing with soap. Blocking lotions on exposed skinBlocking lotions on exposed skin

Prevention TipsPrevention Tips

Cover exposed skinCover exposed skin Keep hands away from face while workingKeep hands away from face while working Wash hands Wash hands beforebefore going to the bathroom going to the bathroom Clean tools and equipment thoroughly before Clean tools and equipment thoroughly before

removing gloves and clothing removing gloves and clothing Wash clothingWash clothing Tyvek or disposal coveralls bestTyvek or disposal coveralls best

So You’ve been exposed?So You’ve been exposed?

Immediately:Immediately: Wash exposed skin with cool waterWash exposed skin with cool water Use post contact wipesUse post contact wipes Remember: Everywhere your hands Remember: Everywhere your hands

touch could track the oil.touch could track the oil.

A picture is worth a thousand scratches.A picture is worth a thousand scratches.

So now you’ve got it!So now you’ve got it!

Only the urushiol oil causes the rashOnly the urushiol oil causes the rash Once the oil is gone it will not spreadOnce the oil is gone it will not spread Dry up the blisters and rashDry up the blisters and rash Calamine LotionCalamine Lotion Do not scratch or break blisters.Do not scratch or break blisters. Infection is a real dangerInfection is a real danger

Controlling the ItchControlling the Itch

Again Calamine lotion until oozing stopsAgain Calamine lotion until oozing stops Other drying agents – Zinc Oxide, Witch Other drying agents – Zinc Oxide, Witch

Hazel, Baking SodaHazel, Baking Soda Cool bath or showersCool bath or showers Oral antihistamines can help itching Oral antihistamines can help itching

Signs of an EmergencySigns of an Emergency Swelling and difficulty breathing 12 – 24 hours after Swelling and difficulty breathing 12 – 24 hours after

exposureexposure Swelling and blisters of the eyeSwelling and blisters of the eye You have been exposed to the smoke of burning poison You have been exposed to the smoke of burning poison

ivy, poison oak. ivy, poison oak. The rash covers more than one quarter of your body. The rash covers more than one quarter of your body. The rash occurs on your face, lips, eyes, or genitals. The rash occurs on your face, lips, eyes, or genitals. The initial treatment does not relieve the symptoms. The initial treatment does not relieve the symptoms. You develop a fever and/or the rash shows signs of You develop a fever and/or the rash shows signs of

infection, such as increased tenderness, pus or yellow fluid infection, such as increased tenderness, pus or yellow fluid oozing from the blisters, and an odor coming from the oozing from the blisters, and an odor coming from the blisters. blisters.