If you think you’ve touched Poison Oak, acting quickly may prevent a rash. Here’s what dermatologists recommend you do immediately after encountering poison oak:

1. Immediately wash the part of your skin that touched the plant with one of the following:

   • Rubbing alcohol

   • Poison oak, and sumac wash (cleanser, soap, or towelettes)

   • Dishwashing soap

   • Laundry detergent

   Wash your skin gently. Scrubbing can cause a rash because you rub the plant’s oil, which is what leads to a rash, into your skin.

2. Thoroughly rinse with plenty of cool water. This removes rubbing alcohol or other product from your skin. Leaving one of these products on your skin could irritate your skin, causing a different type of rash.

3. Wash under your nails. This will remove any oil that may have gotten trapped there.

   You want to do the above immediately after coming into contact with the plant or anything with its oil on it. Sometimes, you can still prevent a rash by following these instructions within 10 to 20 minutes of touching the plant or its oil. If an hour or so has passed and your skin doesn’t itch, it still may be helpful to follow these steps. Doing so may reduce the severity of the rash you get.