Nobody thought they would see a poison poak episode in Grey’s Anatomy. We usually do not get to witness the depiction of this plant in such a hilarious manner while also casting light on its seriousness.
In episode 28 of season 2, we saw Addison contracting a deadly poison oak infection. The reason why this incident became hilarious to many viewers is because of the area where this infection occurred and how she acquired it.
Poison Oak in Grey’s Anatomy
The episode shows Addison funnily walking into the hospital. She gets the attention of almost every passerby because of her walking, but without giving them much thought, she goes straight to Bailey for a consultation.
Bailey, on maternity leave, finally agrees to consult and discovers that Addison has contracted poison oak in her private regions. Upon questioning, she discovers that Addison went out to walk a dog and squatted down to relieve herself in the bushes, which became the reason for this nightmare. Believing it to be karma being served for her cheating a year ago, she breaks down.
Bailey treats her with the infamous calamine lotion, which is incredibly effective in relieving skin irritations. Plus, she plans to give Addison a shot of steroids due to the excessive nature of the infection.
And this is how the episode addresses the challenges of poison oak.
What is poison oak?
Poison oak is the equally toxic relative of poison ivy and poison sumac that causes notorious skin infections. When someone touches this plant, the presence of a toxic oil called urushiol creates itchy bumps and blisters. These can last for weeks and be a painful hassle if not treated correctly and quickly.
How to identify poison oak?
If you know their distinctive features, poison oaks are not very difficult to identify. It has some similarities with the other two plants of its family, mainly with poison ivies.
- Like poison ivy, poison oak has three leaflets forming a single leaf. They also have rounder leaves that are smooth around the edges and look almost like a standard oak leaf.
- The tint of the leaves can also change depending on the season, from green to orange or red.
- Unlike Poison Ivy, poison oak leaflets have hairs on both sides.
- Poison oak also has tan-colored fruits, distinct from poison ivy fruits, which have a yellowish-white color.
- Finally, poison oaks can grow as shrubs with an average height of three feet.
Poison oak symptoms
The infection caused by poison oak can take days or weeks to show any symptoms. It can start as a small patch of rash and break out in a violent blister, depending on your skin sensitivity and the amount of oil in contact with your skin.
Wrapping It Up
We must accept that the showcase of poison oak infection in a popular series like Grey’s Anatomy guarantees more awareness about the dangers of poison oak. And keeping these dangers in mind, we should stay away from them as much as possible.
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