Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac are a hazard year-round. Here are tips for preventing and treating the itchy rash and blisters.

What time of year is poison oak active?

Summer: During the summer the buds of the poison oak have bloomed and are greenish and white. The plant is still pretty green; only at the end of the summer do the leaves start turning reddish.

Can you get poison oak in the fall?

In autumn, poison oak leaves take on striking hues of red and coral before dropping, leaving bare stems in winter. Note the tiny blossoms in the background — in summer, these will become clusters of greenish-white or tan berries. Poison oak leaf detail: “Leaves of three, let it be..!”