Poison oak is similar in appearance to poison ivy but is usually found as a shrub rather than a vine. It can have clusters of three, five, or seven leaves, which resemble oak leaves—hence the name.

Contact with any part of the poison oak plant can cause an intensely itchy, blistering rash. Washing immediately with water and a mild soap or apply rubbing alcohol may help lessen symptoms.

IN EARLY JANUARY, I donned a pair of gloves ... Most contemporary researchers on poison-oak and poison-ivy rashes whom I ...

As more people venture outside to enjoy warm weather, knowing how to identify and avoid poison oak could help to avoid a future of headaches and itchy red rashes. A helpful old saying is “leaves ...