What happens chemically when your exposed skin comes into contact with something like poison ivy?
In: Biology
Poison ivy, oak, and sumac all contain an oil called urushiol (yur-oo-shee-aal). Most mammals have an allergic response to this oil, which is no doubt why the plant evolved to produce it.
These plants produce an oil on their leaves and stems called urushoil. When touched this oil chemically bonds yo your skin within 30 minutes. This chemical is specifically designed by nature to induce a severe allergic reaction, which is why you find yourself scratching, hives on the body and weeping boils if the co tact was extensive.
It’s your bodies attempt to rid itself of the oil but si ce it’s chemically bonded the only way for it to do so is to eventually blister up the skin and shed the top few layers via the blisters.
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