What is the difference between Poison Ivy and Poison Oak?

Poison Ivy and Poison Oak may seem similar because of the word “poison” in the beginning but you have to remember that these are different from each other. When you say poison ivy, this stands for hairy and fuzzy vines.

It may look similar to a typical ivy but the leaves are more almond-shaped. If you would check the poison oak, you would need to check the leaves. The leaves are supposed to look like the leaves of an oak.

The leaves of the poison oak will be a different shade of green. Some say that the green looks a bit dull. For the leaves of the oak, the hair will also be available on both sides.

Poison Ivy and poison oak are very similar in different areas to the point that you can easily conclude that there is no difference between the two. The only difference is that they are two plants entirely. Poison ivy and poison oak belong to genus Toxicodendron. Both contain a substance known as urushiol.

The effect of this substance seems more like a poison due to the fact that it has the ability to cause blistering or itching rashes for most people. As soon as urushiol begins to react with the skin, it causes the irritation of the skin as well as swelling. Depending on the nature of the skin, anybody that touches any of the two plants may have certain skin diseases like dermatitis i.e., the inflammation of the skin.

Poison oak and poison ivy can only cause itching rashes only on areas where you have the substance your skin as it cannot spread to other areas, except if you have the substance in your hand and you touch other parts of your body unknowingly or by mistake.