Boston Road Club

Tips and suggestions for avoiding poison oak exposure

• Learn to identify poison oak in all its forms. I go by the stem which doesn’t change from season to season. Poison oak main stems are orangy-tan and smooth, usually a little wider than a pencil, and the side branches are thinner than a pencil, between 1/2 and 4 inches long, and sometimes slightly rough or bumpy. Side branches never come off the main stem in pairs, rather, they alternate positions along the stem. Also, leaves usually come off the main stem and side branches at the ends, not along the length of the stems. We all know about the three shiny leaves, but that only helps when there are leaves, which is about half the year in arid regions. The stems have oil too, so you can get it even when there are no leaves.
• Ride around all foliage and bare twiggy branches when you can. When you are climbing, you have time to look at what you are brushing through, but if you get in the habit of dodging all branches when you are able, you will cut your exposure, especially downhill.
• If you know you’re going to hit some on a trail, try the Technu pre-exposure lotion. It helps form a barrier that slows down the oil’s penetration into your skin.
• Carry prepackaged wipes like baby wipes. When you know you’ve hit a branch or two on the last run, stop and wipe all exposed skin surfaces. A squirt from your water bottle will really help too. Put a towel and little bottle of Dawn in the car, and when you come in, wash. Getting the invisible oil off A.S.A.P. is the best treatment, because it takes a little while for it to get into the skin.
• Remember you can get the oil on your otherwise unexposed skin by transfer from exposed surfaces. Get in the habit of keeping your hands and sleeves off your face and other delicate body parts. Wear a sweat band so you don’t wipe your eyes with the back of your gloves (Big mistake!) Also be careful when you go behind that bush! Always assume your knuckles, gloves and sleeves have been hit, and keep them away from your legs and fly too. Ladies need to take care when pulling down shorts not to rub your exposed shorts or sleeves down your hips or thighs.
• Wear long pants and sleeves when the weather permits, and learn how to take off your clothes when you’ve been out in the poison oak. You want to keep the outside of the fabric away from your skin! Don’t forget on laundry day what you are handling! Assume your shoes are always contaminated. Wash your hands after tying the laces.
• Whenever you can, shower A.S.A.P. in cool water, because heat opens your pores.Use a lot of suds and scrub gently.
• Scratching makes the blisters worse, and really doesn’t make it feel any better. Once you’ve washed the oils off, scratching won’t make it spread, even if the blisters are oozing. Some areas may take a few days to erupt in blisters, but it’s from exposure to the oil, not your body fluids. Try an ice cube instead of your fingernails for relief.
• Go see your doctor and talk about your chronic poison oak exposure. Having a good strong steroid cream like 2.5% hydrocortisone on hand to apply early can reduce your reaction. Apply several times a day and try not to scratch. It will help dry it out. If you really get nailed, like from landing in a bush, you may want a cortisone injection or oral steroids, and it’s better to get treated early than when you are really miserable. Antihistamines like benadryl also help reduce your allergic response. Note: steroids inhibit your immune system. Keep them out of dirty wounds that may get infected, or you could end up with a run away infection. Cover last week’s cuts and scratches with a band aid or bandage to keep poison oak out. Beware of hot, red and very tender wounds and use an antibiotic ointment, not cortisone.
• Call out when you see it to warn the riders behind you to take evasive action.
• Go volunteer to work on trail days if you don’t get poison oak! We need you to help cut it back off the trails for the rest of us, and you earn lots of bonus points for your community service. We will love you for it, really!