But it is not enough to avoid contact with urushiol directly from the plant.

It's basically an allergic reaction to an oil called urushiol in the plant.

There are more than four forms of urushiol which is written as thus:

The compound in the plant that produces a reaction is called urushiol.

Before the urushiol has been absorbed by the skin, it can be removed with soap and water.

And by the time a person has an itchy rash, the urushiol is long gone from the skin surface.

The symptoms, produced by an oil called urushiol, include redness and swelling.

Mango trees, which may cause cross reaction allergies with urushiol.

The fluid from the resulting blisters does not spread urushiol to others.

The wind picks up minute droplets of the urushiol and blows them through the air.

Almost no other natural substance is as potent as urushiol, experts say.

Once urushiol gets onto your skin, it is important to act fast to wash it off.

And after urushiol is on the skin, there is only a short period of time in which to wash off before it's too late.

There are a number of effective commercial products that will prevent the urushiol oil from taking hold of your skin.

All parts of this plant contain urushiol, which can cause severe dermatitis in some individuals.

The common names come from similar appearances to other species that are not closely related and to the allergic response to the urushiol.

In its liquid state, urushiol can cause extreme rashes, even from vapours.

Now, some people’s T-cells, for whatever reason, don’t recognize urushiol.

A hat will prevent scalp exposure and safety goggles can help keep the urushiol from getting in the eyes.

Their claim that it removes urushiol for the skin even after the initial exposure is bogus.

Burow's solution which can treat the symptoms of the rash caused by urushiol.

The product, sold in drugstores, can remove urushiol from the skin as long as 10 hours after contact with the plant.

Hapten, the name of a wider class of allergens including urushiol.

All members of the genus produce the skin-irritating oil urushiol, which can cause a severe allergic reaction.

The urushiol compound in poison ivy is not meant as a defensive measure; rather, it helps the plant to retain water.