How to Control Poison Oak

Poison oak is a plant that commonly grows throughout the North American west. It is related to poison ivy, but poison oak grows as a small shrub and not a vine. Control of poison oak on one's property is a delicate task as contact with the plant causes poison oak dermatitis, a blistering, burning, itching rash. However, controlling both the growth of poison oak and any subsequent cases of the related dermatitis is possible.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Rubber gloves
• Long-sleeve shirt
• Long pants
• Socks
• Enclosed shoes
• Aloe Vera plant
• Hydrocortisone 1%
• Antihistamine

Controlling the plant

1. Put on heavy rubber gloves to avoid getting the poison oak on your hands. Wear long sleeves, long pants, socks and enclosed shoes. People highly susceptible to poison oak should avoid it altogether or wear coveralls or one-piece protective clothing.

2. Pull the weeds if they're in small groupings. A few poison oak plants may be eradicated by pulling them out of wet ground. No method of cutting will work in permanently getting rid of the plant. Pull the plants by the root after a heavy rain. Do not touch your bare skin.

3. Spray larger and resistant areas with an herbicide designed to eradicate poison oak, such as one containing the chemicals glyphosate, triclopyr or auxinic. Wait until winter to spray poison oak in gardens and among other plants. In winter, seeds and bulbs are dormant, and are less likely to become casualties of the poison oak herbicide. Winter also prevents the possibility of getting a rash from touching the plant. You may have to repeat the spraying yearly to keep the plant at bay.

4. Take off the clothing carefully, avoiding contact with your skin. Remove the gloves last to avoid getting a rash on your skin. Do not touch the skin with the gloves on.

Controlling the rash

5. Bathe the area in warm water. Do not scratch the area, and be sure to wash your hands thoroughly (fingernails especially) if in contact with the rash.

6. Use herbal remedies. The leaf of an aloe vera plant has been known to ease mild poison oak dermatitis. Break a leak from the plant so that the bright green scent of the leaf is exposed. Rub the rash gently with this leaf. Leave the residue from the leaf on the rash to soothe the itching and burning. Apply as needed.

7. Use over-the-counter topical medications for milder cases. Apply hydrocortisone 1% to the area three times daily. Wash and dry the area before each application.

8. Use over-the-counter oral medications for additional relief. Antihistamines will relieve some of the symptoms of poison oak.

9. See your doctor for a prescription. You should see your doctor for a rash that does not heal in 10 to 14 days, or if it is infected, accompanied by severe burning and itching, or covering a larger portion of the body. The doctor can prescribe an oral steroid to relieve severe symptoms as well as antibiotics for the infection.

References

• University of California Davis Information on Eradicating Poison Oak Plants
• Oregon State University Information on Poison Oak
• Information on Soothing Poison Oak Dermatitis

Resources

• Poison Oak Dermatitis Information