How to Remove Poison Oak Oil

Poison oak oil can cause an itchy rash.

Poison oak is found throughout North America, but mainly in the eastern part of the country. Poison oak contains the oil urushiol, which is also found in poison ivy plants; when the oil comes in contact with the skin, it causes a rash. Cleansing the skin after contact with poison oak oil is essential to help reduce the likelihood or severity of an allergic reaction.

Things You'll Need

• Rubbing alcohol
• Cotton balls
• Garbage bag
• Lotion with hydrocortisone

Instructions

1. Rinse the area of the body that came into contact with your skin immediately after contact. Urushiol binds to the skin within 15 minutes after the initial contact, says William L. Epstein, M.D., on the Poison Ivy, Oak & Sumac Information Center website.

2. Apply rubbing alcohol to the affected areas with cotton balls. Use each cotton ball only once to avoid spreading the oil around on the skin.

3. Place clothing and shoes into a garbage bag to avoid spreading the oil to people or things in your environment; immediately empty the clothes into a washer and wash them in a sterilizing wash cycle. Do not touch the clothing without wearing gloves; the oil may still be present on fibers.

4. Apply a lotion with hydrocortisone directly to the skin. This will reduce the likelihood of inflammation. If the oil has penetrated the skin, the lotion can relieve pain and itching.

Tips & Warnings

• If going outside where poison oak may be located, apply a skin-barrier cream containing bentoquatum. This compound prevents the urushiol oil from reaching the skin, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

• If the rash develops blisters and the affected area begins to swell, immediately visit your doctor for advanced treatments.

References

• American Academy of Dermatology: Poison Ivy, Oak and Sumac
• University of California -- Agriculture and Natural Resources: Poison Oak
• Poison Ivy, Oak & Sumac Information Center: Water-Based Treatments