Contact with any part of the poison oak plant causes a blistering rash. Generally this can be treated at home. More severe cases may need to see a health professional. If you know you have had contact with poison oak, thoroughly wash the affected area as soon as possible to remove the active oils. Preventative topical ointments are available to help avoid reactions to poison oak.
Bare skin brushing up against a stinging nettle plant tends to break delicate defensive hairs on the leaves and stems that protect the plant from browsing animals. This releases a trio of chemicals, usually resulting in a painful skin rash, typically lasting less than 24 hours. A topical analgesic (used to treat poison oak or bug bites)can be applied to help alleviate the sting.
Ticks can carry Lyme disease. The sooner that ticks are removed, the less the chance of transmittal of the organism that causes illness. Stay on trails and check your clothing frequently. Wearing light-colored, long pants helps you spot them. Tuck your pant legs inside your socks to keep them from crawling up your legs. Always check your body completely at the end of your hike.
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Some quick reference for things we need to know before hiking. 
