Poison oak

By: Michaela Brady

What is it?

• Poison Oak can be a bush, vine, root, tree, whatever. My theory is that it is sentient

and has a collective, malevolent, intelligence. I also believe it is capable of

reaching out and grabbing one's ankles when hiking on a trail.

Negative effects of poison oak

• Rash

• Lasts for about 2 weeks

• The Poison Oak rash is cause by a chemical called urushiol. This is present in poison oak leaves, branches, roots, everything.

When you touch it, the oil is absorbed into the skin. This is a poisonous substance, and the rash is the result of your body's immune

system fighting against this invader..

• Whatever you do, don't burn it!

•

How It Can Spread

• You can get Poison Oak by touching the plant, its leaves, roots, whatever. If an animal, such as your dog, gets in Poison Oak you can get it from petting the dog (the dog won't get the rash though). You can get it from your clothing that touches Poison Oak

• Or direct contact with the plant itself

What to do after you’ve been infected

• Wash the area with soap and water

• Whatever you do..don’t scratch!!! Scratching will just make the rash spread

• You can also use calamine lotion

• You should also go to the doctors if the rash and inflammation gets serious

pros

• Need to use some of the plant’s toxins to make a anti-itch product for the rash

• protects against uv rays

Pros cont.

• So really the only bad thing about poison oak is really important for doctors to use in their medicines that they make

• Animals also use this as a food source

Works cited

• Knowledge.org

• fastfacts.com

• Google.com

• http://www.webmd.com/