POISON IVY OAK AND SUMAC
IF YOU'RE AMONG THE MANY PEOPLE who plan to take a holiday in the United States, particularly in the countryside, you need to know about poison ivy, oak and sumac. For individuals allergic to these plants, an encounter with any of them produces an itchy rash within one to three days. The rash may then turn into blisters that ooze, then crust, causing general misery. Before walking in the countryside find out if these poisonous plants are to be found in the area, and learn to identify them so that you can avoid them.
If you have inhaled smoke from the burning plant, have got the oil in your eyes, experience severe itching and discomfort, or find that the rash is becoming infected, call a doctor. Otherwise, you can usually manage this allergic reaction yourself.
Home care begins with removing the powerfully irritating resin of the poison plants as soon as possible after exposure. Flush your skin with lots of water, then wash with soap. Also wash clothes, shoes, gloves, pets, gardening tools and anything else that might have been in contact with the plant. Before you have had a chance to wash yourself, remember that you can spread these resins easily by touch. (That's why pets can spread the itch without getting it themselves - the resin stays on top of their fur.)
The general idea for treating allergic rashes such as those caused by poison oak, ivy and sumac is to reduce inflammation and dry the skin. That means you want anti-inflammatory and astringent herbs but should avoid ointments and heavy creams that trap moisture. This goes for nonherbal products as well.
DRUG TREATMENT
Antihistamines
Diphenhydramine, taken orally or as a topical gel. Function: reduces itching.
Oral use side effects: drowsiness, dryness of mouth, nose and throat.
Calamine products (Caladryl, others). Function: dry the rash and relieve itching. Side effects: products that combine calamine lotion with a topical anaesthetic (benzocaine, lignocaine, pramocaine) may be absorbed in significant amounts through inflamed skin and cause an allergic reaction.
Corticosteroids
Hydrocortisone, topically (Lanacort and others) or orally, dexamethasone
(Decadron), prednisolone. Function: reduce itching and cool inflammation.
Short-term topical use side effects: none. Oral use side effects: acne,
indigestion, nausea, vomiting, wind, headache, dizziness, insomnia, increased
appetite, weight gain.
HERBAL REMEDIES
Grindelia (Grindelia squarrosa, G. robusta)
Also known as gumweed, this plant exudes a gummy resin. To use it on a rash
from a poisonous plant, mix a tincture of grindelia with an equal quantity
of cool water. Moisten a cloth with this solution and apply as a compress.
You can repeat the application as often as needed.
Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis)
This plant has a strong reputation for quelling poison ivy, oak and sumac
rashes. Apply either the crushed fresh leaves or a compress made from tea
or a fluid extract. To make a tea, steep 1 heaped teaspoon of dried leaves
or 2 teaspoons of fresh leaves in % litre of hot water for 10 minutes; strain
and cool. To use a fluid extract, add 1 teaspoon to litre of cool water.
Wet a clean cloth with either liquid and apply to the rash. Repeat as needed.
Plantain
(Plantago spp.)
A common lawn weed, plantain contains a soothing substance called allantoin.
It's anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and, as a bonus, it speeds wound healing.
So if you get poison ivy or other such rashes often, let plantain keep its
spots in your lawn. When you get a rash, pick a few leaves, wash them, mash
them and apply as a poultice to the irritated skin. Repeat as necessary.
Aloe
(Aloe vera)
This well-known sunburn remedy is soothing, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial,
and it hastens healing, so it's great for the poison itchies. Slice a leaf,
scoop out the gel and apply as needed. You can also look for commercial aloe
vera gel product, but check the label to make sure that it contains mostly
pure aloe vera.
Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
This herb is soothing, cooling and drying - perfect for weepy rashes. The
easiest way to use it for poison rashes is to buy the fluid extract
carried in most chemists. Simply apply it as needed to the rash; splash it
on or saturate a clean flannel and drape it over the rash.
Cucumber (Cucumis sativus)
This cool customer is just what you want on inflamed skin. You can apply slices
of cucumber directly to your rash; or puree cucumber in the blender, apply this
mash to your skin, cover with a loosely woven cloth and lie down for a hit. Repeat
as often as you like.
Oats (Avena sativa)
This time-honoured anti-itch remedy is easy to use. Add oats to a cool bath.
Put 40 to 85 grams of cut oats in muslin or a clean athletic sock, tie and
use the cloth- or sock-bound oats as a flannel. You can also add 3 to 5
drops of essential oil of peppermint to your oatmeal bath for an extra
cooling touch. Caution: don't be tempted to go overboard and add more than
a few drops; essential oils are very concentrated and can irritate skin
if used in more than minute quantities.
Tea (Camellia sinensis)
If you break out with poison ivy on a camping trip, it's good to be a tea
drinker. Tea is antioxidant-rich, and its tannic acids contract inflamed
tissue and relieve itching. Just grab a tea bag (black or green tea will
work), moisten it and apply to the skin. Repeat as necessary.
TIME-TESTED ITCH RELIEVERS
Getting your first bad case of poison ivy as an adult can be distressing
if you're not familiar with the flaming itch. Luckily, these commonsense
cures really do work. Try them.
* Take a bicarb bath. Put 70 grams of bicarbonate of soda in a tepid bath.
(Avoid hot water, which generally increases itching and hives.)
* Play games with paste. Not the kind of paste you use to stick things together,
but a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water. Fingerpaint the paste on affected
areas.
* Create a cure with clay. Simply mix water and green clay powder to make
a remedy that's a favourite of Sunny Mavor, co-author of Kids, Herbs, and
Health. Clay draws oils, including the resin that's causing your itch, away
from the skin and feels pleasantly cooling. Many health food stores stock
this powder.
* Put the itch on ice. Relief will be quick, though temporary. Use a commercial
cold pack or simple cubes in a resealable bag.
* Plan for prevention. Before you accidentally tangle with these plants,
learn to identify them. Know how and where they usually grow and what they
look like in different seasons. Make sure other people travelling with you
also have this information.
