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Poison Oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum) and its eastern counterpart Poison Ivy (T. radicans) are two of the most notoriously painful plants in North America.

Only 1 nanogram (billionth of a gram) is needed to cause a rash. Some people appear to be immune, others become immune. It is foolish to assume that one does not have an allergy simply because they have not gotten rashes before, because it is possible to gain and lose immunity. Immunity can change as people age, so one should never assume that they were immune at any time regardless of past experience or exposure. Upwards of 90% of people are allergic to urushiol oil, it's a matter of time and exposure. The more times an individual is exposed to urushiol oil, the more likely it is that they will break out with an allergic rash. For the first time sufferer, it usually takes longer for the rash to show up - generally in 7 to 10 days.

At first, a slight itchy spot appears, which gets worse and worse. It can be a small itchy area, or in more servere cases it can cover the entire body with giant red sores that will drive the sufferer crazy. Within an hour or so the spot should be rinsed with lots of cold water using a garden hose. Do not use hot water, hot water will open the pores and let the oil in, taking a warm shower immediately after exposure could be a disaster!

Rubbing the rashes will not spread poison ivy to other parts of the body (or to another person). The rashes will only spread if urushiol oil --the sticky, resinlike substance that causes the rash -- has been left on the hands, skin or clothing.

For up to about 6 hours use Grey Alder – Alnus Incana (buds). Apply to all affected areas every 1 or 2 hours depending on severity and pruritus (itching); use as needed. Its is the belief of many practitioners that after half an hour the oil has soaked in and can not be removed. It is very important to use the extract as soon as possible. But even if you apply Grey Alder after more than 30 minutes, it will still provide relief faster than any other approach. Again, use as needed.

The next day take a shower in the hottest water that can be tolerated, for as long as possible; this should ease the itch for 8 hours. This step may not be needed if the Grey Alder was applied early enough. The rash can last anywhere from a week to 3 weeks, depending on its severity and treatment method.

Explanations for natural immunity to poison oak are complicated by myths, conflicting reports and ongoing debates among authorities. Sensitization depends on the chance meeting of a special effector T-cell (with correct receptor site) and the poison oak allergen--a painful biochemical rendezvous. One may not have effector T-cells with the special receptor for urushiol--or perhaps the relatively few effector T-cells with precise poison oak receptor may never encounter the urushiol allergen. The allergen may be absorbed and degraded before the T-cells find it. If the truth is known, most people will probably experience some degree of dermatitis if a sufficient quantity of urushiol is thoroughly rubbed into their skin. They may even be sensitized by a white blood cell transfusion from a sensitized person. Immunity to poison oak with age, exposure and homeopathic remedies may involve suppressor T-cells which inhibit or block the action and reproduction of other T-cells. Circulating IgG immunoglobulin antibodies that block the T-cell receptor for urushiol may also be involved (Stampf et al, 1990).