If you’re someone who enjoys getting outside in the summertime, you may already be aware of the risks of coming into contact with poison ivy. Poison ivy’s close relative, poison oak, is also a very common plant across the country. However, does poison oak cause the same reaction as poison ivy if you accidentally touch it? Keep reading to learn more about the similarities and differences between poison ivy and poison oak so that you know what to look out for on your next hike!
At AFC Urgent Care Waltham, our clinic specializes in providing rapid care for a variety of non-life-threatening summertime ailments. This includes common conditions such as poison ivy and poison oak rashes. Our clinic accepts walk-in patients in Waltham, MA, and the surrounding communities. Simply walk into the clinic, we are open from 8am-8pm 7 days a week!
Are Poison Ivy and Poison Oak the Same Thing?
If you’re someone who enjoys spending time outdoors hiking or walking in the wilderness, you likely are aware of the risk that poison ivy poses. According to the American Skin Association, most people are allergic to poison ivy. However, what you may not know is that poison oak also is a close relative of poison ivy and also a very common allergen for most people.
Poison ivy is a plant that grows close to the ground and is distinctly identifiable due to its unique 2 leaf structure. Brushing into this place unknowingly is likely to leave you with a nasty rash that is incredibly itchy due to the plant secreting oils onto your skin on contact.
How to Identify Poison Oak?
In essence, poison ivy and poison oak are the same plant that grows in different places. This being said, these very similar plants don’t look like each other. While poison ivy grows in wooded areas close to the ground, poison oak grows on vines or in bushes. Poison oak does not have the unique 3 leaf structure that poison ivy has. Instead, it grows with 3-9 leaves per plant. The leaves tend to be dark green with a red tint and poison oak plants produce small yellow or green-colored fruits, whereas poison ivy produces white fruits.
What Happens if I Touch Poison Oak?
Poison ivy and poison oak both produce a unique oil called urushiol in the sap of the plant. This means that both plants will cause the same reaction for anyone who comes into contact with them. Brushing up against the plant unknowingly is the most common way to come into contact with poison ivy and poison oak plants. However, the oil can also be transmitted from the plant to the human by sticking to clothing or pet fur and then transferring to your skin. If you touch poison ivy or poison oak, you are likely to get a very red and itchy rash in the place where you touched the plant. The rash is known to be very unpleasant and can last for up to 2 weeks.
Visit AFC Urgent Care Waltham for Same-Day Care in Waltham, MA All Summer Long
If you are suffering from an unexplained rash after spending time outdoors, you may have unknowingly come into contact with poison ivy or poison oak. At AFC Urgent Care Waltham, our team of dedicated medical providers are board-certified and ready to provide a swift diagnosis for poison ivy and poison oak exposures so that you can take the necessary steps to manage your discomfort while you heal. Our clinic is available for patients on a walk-in basis 7 days a week from 8am-8pm. Simply walk into the clinic for quality care with short wait times. We accept most medical insurance plans and offer affordable care options. Walk in today.
