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Rash Decisions
Deciphering Summer's Most Common Skin Ailments
By Linda Sharp
A bane to outdoor activities such as hiking or walking through dense weeds or underbrush, poison ivy/oak and sumac wreak skin havoc through the release of urushiol oil. In fact, the oil released by these three leaved plants is so potent, 500 people could itch from the amount covering the head of a pin!
Once urushiol touches the skin, it begins to penetrate in minutes. In those who are sensitive, a reaction appears as a line or streak of rash, usually within 12 to 48 hours. Redness and swelling occur, often followed by blisters and severe itching. In a few days, the blisters may become crusted and begin to scale. The rash takes 10 days or longer to heal.
According to Dr. William L. Epstein, a small percentage of people experience an extreme, almost immediate reaction to exposure. Their eyes may swell shut and blisters may erupt on their skin. "This is one of the few true emergencies in dermatology," says Dr. Epstein. "Get to a hospital as soon as possible. A shot of corticosteroids will bring the swelling down."
Prevention/Treatment: As with hives, avoidance goes a long way. There is a saying, "Leaflets of three, beware of me," stemming from the tri-leafed makeup of these plants. If contact is made, wash all exposed areas with cold running water as soon as you can reach a stream, lake or garden hose. If you can do this within five minutes, the water may keep the urushiol from adhering to your skin and spreading to other parts of your body. Within the first 30 minutes, soap and water are helpful. Relieve the itching of mild rashes by taking cool showers and applying over-the-counter preparations like calamine lotion or Burrow's solution. Soaking in a lukewarm bath with an oatmeal or baking soda solution also may ease itching and dry oozing blisters. Over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams are not strong enough to have any effect on poison ivy rashes. If rash areas are large or the reaction severe, contact your pediatrician immediately.
Bites, Stings and Ticks
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