Poison Oak and Hashing
Poison Oak can be quite prevalent in the Land of Pleasant Shiggy. Most hares love a good off-road shiggy trail anytime they can get you there. So, it's a good idea to be aware of what poison oak looks like, how you can guard against it, and what to do if you should come into contact.
The more widely used trails trails of Santa Barbara are fairly established. Poison Oak is easy to see and easy to avoid. But one shortcut, one wobble on trail, and if'n you're real good, you can end up with some nice little hives.
If you have not given poison oak much thought before, before hashing in Santa Barbara is as good a time as any to start. It can cause a blistering, oozing rash that takes two weeks to clear. If you are allergic to this stuff, it is in your best interest to come to a Hash P-R-E-P-A-R-E-D.
- Step 1 - Ivy Block* - Rubbed on like suntan lotion, it creates a protective barrier on exposed skin that the oil (toxicodendrol) cannot penetrate. This is highly recommended by a few hashers.
- Step 2 - Avoidance - "Leaves of three, oh f*ck me!" - Spread Eagle, H3SoB
Know what it looks like. PO is three leafed, not prickly, and shiny (thats the oil). Also, be cautious petting dogs on trail, they could have been romping through PO and have the oil on their coat. - Step 3 - Tecnu* - The PO oil can be spread to anything you touch, a chair, a steering wheel, a door handle, etc. Tecnu is great for decontamination AFTER being exposed to PO. Rub it on your exposed skin then wash it and the PO off.
*Products not endorsed by SBH3, only presented here as possible options.
- Poison Oak Identification Page
- Poison oak has many colors and disguises depending on the season.
- Poison Ivy, Oak and Sumac Information Center
- This web site is dedicated to those individuals that have ever experienced and suffered through the itching and painful rashes associated with contact of an oil called urushiol (you-ROO-shee-ol) from these plants.
- Poison Oak: More Than Just Scratching The Surface
- Web site with a more scientific approach to Poison Oak with tips for the prevention and treatment of poison oak.
Etiquette of Poison Oak
Because Poison Oak is one of the worst afflictions mankind must suffer, there must be rules of etiquette for dealing with it.
If you have never had poison oak:
- You may not joke about it.
- You cannot say, "Don't you know what it looks like?"
- You may not offer your advice on how to treat it.
- You must show nothing but sympathy, and if it is feigned it must seem genuine.
- Absolutely no smirking!
- You are not allowed to intimate that the person who has Poison Oak deserved it, or is afflicted due to incompetence on their part.
If you are immune:
- All the above rules apply to you.
- You may never boast of your immunity, and especially never touch poison oak to demonstrate your immunity. I heard of a man who ate a poison oak leaf to show off. This is a justifiable motive for homicide.
- If you cannot follow the above guidelines, please kill yourself now.
If you have had poison oak:
- You must show sympathy, and tell anecdotes about how bad you had it.
- You may joke and laugh, as long as you make it known that you feel very deep sorrow at the affliction.
- Feel free to imply that all immune people should be exterminated off the face of the earth.
Poison oak etiquette lifted from Poison Oak FAQ