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2. 2. Introduction: do you actually want to be introduced to this?. The Pacific Poison Oak is a woody shrub or vine that grows along the West Coast from British Columbia to Baja.
3. 3. Why the bad rap?..... The poison in Pacific Poison Oak is called Urushiol (oo-roo-she-all), Oil and it is extremely Potent! Urushiol oil is what causes the allergic skin rash on contact. Initial symptoms can take 24- 48 hours or even up to a week to appear Only 1 nanogram is needed to cause rash 500 people could itch from the amount covering the head of a pin Urushiol oil does not evaporate and can stay active on any surface (including a dead poison oak plant) for 1 5 years The oil can spread from contaminated clothing, shoes, gloves, tools and pets (the toxin is harmless to animals). The word urushi, is the Japanese word for lacquer When the Japanese restored the gold leaf on the Golden Temple in Kyoto, Japan, they painted urushiol lacquer on it to preserve and maintain the gold. I Guess that way if anyone tried to steal the gold off of the Temple they would be caught red handed!
4. 4. David Douglas: David Douglas, a Scottish botanist and naturalist was the first to document the Pacific Poison Oak after encountering it in British Columbia on Vancouver Island.. On a side note, the Douglas fir was named in honor of Mr. Douglas .a piece of history which Im sure he is quite grateful for. Who can we blame?.... Its NOT a shamrock!!
5. 5. Sooo..What does Pacific Poison Oak look like? In the spring, the green to reddish green leaflets will be small and shiny. the plant may have inconspicuous, small greenish white flowers & berries. In the summer Its appearance changes to a deeper green and if berries are present, they turn red in late summer and in autumn, the color can turn to bronze and even a dark purplish-red, especially in sunlit locations
6. 6. More fun facts: Grows only at altitudes below 5,000 ft. Poison oak can be a low creeper a small, upright bush a substantial shrub Or, with the support of a large tree a thick, climbing vine. Leaflets are scalloped like a True oak and can range in size from the length of your thumb to the length of your hand, and have hairs on both sides (the leaflets, hopefully not your hand!). Middle leaflet has a notably longer stem than the two side leaflets, (though more obvious in Poison Ivy) in than Poison Oak All parts of the plant contain the toxins (leaflets, stems, and roots) Locally: A familiar, (yet often unrecognized) inhabitant of the Columbia River Gorge & lower Mt. Hood area hiking trails
7. 7. You CAN touch this.. http://wyeastblog.org/2012/05/28/10-common-poison-oak-myths/
8. 8. Myths Facts Poison oak rash is contagious. Rubbing the rashes won't spread poison oak to other parts of your body (or to another person). You spread the rash only if urushiol oil -- the sticky, resin-like substance that causes the rash -- has been left on your hands. You can catch poison oak simply by being near the plants Direct contact is needed to release urusiol oil. Stay away from forest fires, direct burning, or anything else that can cause the oil to become airborne such as a lawnmower, trimmer, etc. I've been in poison oak many times and never broken out. I'm immune. Not necessarily true. 90% of people are allergic to urushiol oil, the biggest factor is time and exposure. The more times you are exposed to urushiol, the more likely it is that you will break out with an allergic rash. For the first time sufferer, it generally takes longer for the rash to show up - generally in 7 to 10 days
9. 9. Dos and (Seriously) Donts! IF YOU HAVE POISON OAK ON YOUR PROPERTY: IF YOURE HEADING OUT TO ENJOY NATURE: DONTS Sack it! Bag the plants, roots and debris in plastic, then take to the dumpster or land fill. Never Burn It! NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER try to burn out poison oak or ivy or add it to a burn pile. Smoke can and will carry the poison. Inhalation can damage lung tissue and can lead to a long hospital visit or death. If you ever do burn out an area of brush, stay out of the smoke Not Baaaahhhd! Goats! do an excellent job of cleaning out poison oak and other unwanted (and wanted) brush, especially when its growing up in the fence line, trees, etc. Never Mow It Down! NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, use a lawn mower, DOS DONTS Cover Up: Wear long pants, long sleeves, boots, and gloves. Dont touch your face: Keep hands and arms away from your face and eyes
10. 10. What if you do touch it? In the early 1950s, during the Cold War, chemist Dr. Robert Smith invented a waterless skin cleanser for the removal of radioactive dust. Dr. Smith relocated his family from Indiana to Oregon, where his wife, discovered that the cleanser, by then named Tecnu (for technically new),had another use. After an exposure to poison oak, she washed the affected areas with Tecnu and did not get a rash. After more testing by the Oregon State University Forestry Department, the cleanser was proven successful at removing Urushiol oil from skin, clothing, and pets fur. Wash with Tecnu to remove poison ivy, oak and sumac oil. When used within 2-8 hours after exposure to poison oak, ivy or sumac, Tecnu can remove urushiol oil before the rash begins. Once a poison plant rash has started, washing with Tecnu helps remove any residual toxic oil on the skin to avoid re-contamination. -See more at: http://www.teclabsinc.com/products/poison-oak-ivy/tecnu#sthash.zlUJtILF.dpuf Pre-application products containing Bentoquatam: Bentoquatam (BEN-toe-kwa-tam) A skin barrier that is supposed to your skin from the effects of urushiol oil Even when you apply a skin barrier that contains bentoquatam, you still need to cover your skin with clothing. Must be applied 15 min before exposure (not for children under 6 yrs. of age), and every 4 hours or sooner if sweat or rubbed off Highly flammable!! Keep away from campfires, camp stoves, etc.!! In sensitive individuals, product can cause mild to sever Allergic reaction Tecnu Original Outdoor Skin Cleanser
11. 11. If in doubt.. Enjoy the outdoors, but do so by being a good steward of the land. Always stay on designated trails, especially in heavily visited areas ..maybe things like the Pacific Poison Oak is just Mother Nature way of teaching humankind to respect the gifts of nature