Urushiol oil in plants is one such adaptation.
Urushiol fools your own cells into thinking there is something foreign in the body.
Urushiol is an oil made up of numerous toxic compounds
and is contained in the plant's sap.
Urushiol oil can remain active for several years,
so handling dead leaves or vines can cause a reaction.
If you still stumble into a patch, you have 10 minutes before your skin absorbs the Urushiol.
Ordinary laundering with laundry detergent will remove Urushiol from most clothing, but not from leather or suede.
The Urushiol will be suspended in the water
and will not transfer to unexposed clothing in the load.
Many home remedies and even commercial products(e.g., Zanfel and Tecnu)
claim to prevent Urushiol rashes after the exposure.
Urushiol oil can remain active for several years,
so handling dead leaves or vin es can cause a reaction.
Urushiol plant allergies do not affect all people
the same and are most severe in those with known sensitivities.
Urushiol in plants is effective up to 5 years later
and can contaminate clothing, tools, pet fur or other objects.
Even worse, Urushiol oil can remain active for several years,
so even handling dead leaves or vines can cause a reaction.
Around 15 to 25
percent of people have no allergic reaction to Urushiol, but most people have a greater reaction with repeated
or more concentrated exposure.
Like the cashew, pistachios are a member of the Anacardiaceae family, meaning they, too,
naturally contain the chemical Urushiol that makes poison ivy and others in the family so irritating.
The genus Toxicodendron contains the bulk of the Urushiol wielding plant species,
all of which can cause allergic reactions in up to 80% of individuals if they come into contact with the plant's sap.
Like poison ivy and many other members of the family, part of the cashew
plant contains an oily chemical called Urushiol, which is a strong irritant for most people
and can even be fatal for some if ingested.