Poison Oak Questions and Answers

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Is poison oak contagious?

The poison oak rash in itself is not contagious. By the time the rash appears, the urushiol oil has been absorbed into the skin or washed away. Therefore rubbing the rash won't spread the oil to other parts of your body or to other people. But when the oil is on clothing, furniture, pets, or skin before the rash appears, the oil can rub off onto other parts of the body or onto other people. As a result of this secondary exposure, rashes can show up at strange times and places, leading people to believe that the initial rash is contagious.

Bottom line, wherever there is urushiol oil, there is a chance of a rash.

Can just being around the plants give you a rash?

You have to come into direct contact with the plant urushiol oil. Some activities can cause urushiol oil to become airborne and put you at risk, including plant particles carried by burning or lawnmowing.

Is the old saying true, "Leaves of three, let them be?

This is true for poison oak and for poison ivy. However there is another plant that produces skin-irritating oil, a tree-type shrub known as poison sumac, which has 7 to 13 leaves on a stem.

Do you have to worry about dead plants?

The urushiol oil stays active on any surface, including dead plants, for up to five years.

Can you spread urushiol oil by breaking your poison oak blisters?

You can't spread urushiol oil in this manner, but you should be concerned about infection and scarring. Consult your doctor in cases of excessive fluid buildup. Also be aware that scratching blisters while sleeping at night can lead to infection.