Hi jb,
I don't believe we've stated that no one is immune. If so, I'll have to correct that on the site. The statement is that it is believe that about 85% of the population which can / does come in contact with the plants will at have a reaction. Basically, a reaction to urushiol oil (the compound found in poison ivy, oak, sumac) binding to the skin is an overblown reaction by the immune system to what it deems is a foreign body intrusion. The reaction varies from person to person and time to time. One can even become less sensitive to contact with urushiol oil over time. Age is a factor, health is another. Time between contacts is yet another factor.
I have no doubt that some people never have a reaction to urushiol oil. But for a large majority, it is a painful reality. |
