Blogpost refreshed July 2025 It's that time of year again, and poison oak leaves are sprouting all over the Bay Area. Getting poison oak is no fun, so if you don't know what poison oak looks like, today is your day to learn! Poison oak, you say... So, first, why is poison oak so poisonous? It's not that it's actually toxic, but it does contain urushiol , an oil that can irritate the skin, causing rashes or blisters. The frustrating thing about poison oak (well, one of many frustrating things) is that it's hard to know immediately if you've had contact with the plant. It usually takes 24-36 hours for any skin irritation to appear. I have a quick four-step system to identify poison oak. Feel free to check it out and let me know what you think. (Remember, I am not a medical professional. This is not medical advice. :)) The four-step system Step 1: Listen to the adage, "Leaves of three, let it be." Poison oak has clusters of three leaves ...
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