> Side-note: I did get some raw urushi on my fingers while working on this project, but nothing happened. Perhaps I'm immune. Somewhat the opposite. To be immu

> Side-note: I did get some raw urushi on my fingers while working on this project, but nothing happened. Perhaps I'm immune. Somewhat the opposite. To be immune to it, your immune system would likely have to tolerate the authentication failure this substance causes after binding to a cell…which could be Bad in many other ways. A likely explanation is that you removed the substance before an immune response could be mounted. Molecules of the contaminant bind to skin cells around 15 minutes after contact. The affected cells are disrupted only in that they can no longer provide the appropriate response when challenged by an immune cell. When a cell cannot be identified as a member of the host, a chemical signal is released which tells killer immune cells to congregate and kill everything in the area. This attack mounted by the immune system is the source of the irritation. It can be mitigated by antihistamine (somewhat), lower temperatures (somewhat, espeically on the verge of shivering), steroid injection (strongly). Note that recontamination is the most common cause of "spread". Only a single molecule is enough to cause a reaction. Contaminated clothing and surfaces can still bear the oil after multiple washings.