We didn't exactly choose our name carefully. The suggestion came from Reluctant Observer who is insanely allergic to poison oak. This previously avid backcountryman now avoids all members of his family for a week if they've been in the greenery of the backcountry. He avoids the laundry, the cachemobile, pretty much anything that might have been breathed on within a week of our last adventure into the bush.

So as we brainstormed ideas for this organization, it was only under his breath that he suggested Poison Oak Cachers. He was kidding, but we all thought it was perfect!

No one, and I mean NO ONE, caches on Central Coast trails without coming into contact with poison oak. Whether they get it or not, well, that's all a matter of personal chemistry, preparedness and luck.

Facts about Poison Oak

Poison Oak - This is the common name for the bush scientists like to call Toxicodendron diversilobum - poisonous branching plant with opposing leaves. That about sums it up. Like its relatives, Poison Sumac and Poison Ivy, this coastal shrub emits an oil that serves as an irritant when it comes in contact with skin. Within a week to 10 days, the oil causes a rash that bubbles, itches and oozes. Did the leaves, or even dormant branches, rub on your boots? Then the oil is there and will continue to cause issues until you clean them. Did you get it on your clothes? Ditto.

Identification - Though this rule doesn't hold true for its cousins, Poison Ivy and Poison Sumac, it does seem to ring true most of the time: lives in three, let it be. Poison Oak presents leaves in sets of three. They are a vibrant green in early spring, and turn to a rich dark, glossy green before turning sunset red and finally dropping from the plant completely for winter. The bushes can grow to 25 feet, though tend to top out at 6-8 feet in these parts. It's most difficult to identify in winter when the leafless branches look much like those of any number of other deciduous plants. To see pictures of this plant in multiple seasons, check out this site.

Rash prevention - The BEST way to prevent irritation from poison oak is to avoid contact with any part of the plant. Even the sticks of overwintering bushes carry the oil. Just stay out of areas where it is known to exist. Remain on the pavement in town, and never go backcountry. Then again, that doesn't sound like fun, so here are some other options.

More rational options -

Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, long socks and boots to cover as much skin as possible.

Prior to exposure, use products like EnviroDerm's Ivy Block, or Tecnu's Poison Oak-n-Ivy Armor.

Immediately upon return to civilization, use a grease-cutting soap, such as TecNu though Dawn and other grease-cutting dishwashing soaps have been known to do the trick. Be sure to scrub under your nails, as the oil can hide here and getcha later. The FDA suggests beginning the entire cleaning process with a complete rubdown in rubbing alcohol. Others add that suds (and rinse) should be done with cold water. The idea is that the oil won't be able to spread deeper into the pores.

Wash the dog. Man's best friend can be poison oak's best carrier. Unless you wash the dog thorougly, it doesn't matter HOW much you wash your own belongings and exposed skin. One good scratch of an oily Fido means LOTS of scratching for you in the near future.

I did all that and got it anyway. Now what?

It probably took up to a week for the rash to show, but now it's there in all its stripey, pussy glory. You can try to tough it out, or resort to a variety of anti-itch treatments including over-the-counter hydrocortisone, calamine lotion or Poison Oak itch treatments available at your local pharmacy. It'll take about a week for the thing to begin to subsid and up to three weeks for the damage to disappear completely - plenty of time to pick up another case on the caching trail.

If images of scratching off your own arm (or leg or whatever's affected) are invading your dreams, or the rash appears anywhere near your eyes, it's time to see your doctor. She can provide prescription treatment ranging from prednisone to a fantastic topical called fluocinonide.

The web is full of useful resources about Poison Oak. Here are a few to consider:

The FDA's site.

There may be no better place to learn all about Poison Oak than this link. Though some of the statistics seem a bit suspect.

If you're more likely to trust the National Institutes of Health, you might appreciate this page better.

Do you have your own prevention/cure tips?

Send 'em to us. We may add them to our site!