Alternative Therapies

For those who like to spend time outdoors, beware of poison ivy. It is a three-leafed vine, notch edged, that if found in most parts of US. If it comes in contact to the skin, the plant can cause dermatitis. Children are more prone to this infection as they spend their time outdoors.

If your child develops a red, itchy rash all over his/her body, then it could be a poison ivy rash. Blisters filled with fluid might also appear. If not treated immediately, the symptoms will worsen over weeks. The rash appears when oil from the plant comes in contact with the skin. Though some are immune to poison ivy, for some people it takes multiple exposures for symptoms to appear. A person does not have to come in direct contact with the plant to get infected. You can also get affected by contaminated clothing.

• Learn to recognize poison ivy and also to avoid them.
• To avoid being exposed to the shrub, wear long and full covered pants, boots and long sleeved shirt.
• Quickly clean the exposed area by rubbing alcohol.
• Wash the exposed area with water.
• Covering the rash with a mixture of baking soda and cold water will give relief.
• If it is a slight exposure, applying calamine lotion or steroid cream will give relief.
• Ivy-Block is a lotion which, when applied to skin before going out will prevent the plants oil from penetrating into the skin.
• Avoid burning the plant as the smoke can cause severe reaction to those who are exposed to it.
• Cortisone preparations are helpful in treating poison ivy rash.
• Applying Burows lotion in the blistering area will also give relief.
• If Jewel Weed stems are crushed and applied, it will neutralize the poison ivy’s oily antigen called Urushiol.

Wash away all the clothing, pets and tools that might have been in contact with the plant.