Poison oak Minute exposure to plants can irritate skin RealAge News Service cratch beneath the surface and learn how to put an end to the painful itch of poison oak.
Some people are immune to the effects of poison oak.
Poison oak, poison sumac, and their Eastern counterpart, poison ivy, are all members of the sumac family, and all contain a compound called urushiol, the insidious allergen that gives these plants their itchy reputation. Eighty to 90 percent of people experience some degree of irritation if enough urushiol is rubbed into their skin. Even a minute amount is sufficient to cause a rash in sensitive people. Serious cases of poison oak may require medical attention and hospitalization. From morphine and kerosene to buttermilk and gunpowder, people have tried countless remedies for poison oak, but not many have proven helpful.