Poison IVY, Insect Bite And Sting Relief
Best Cure for Poison IvyPoison ivy contains toxic organic oil, urushiol that causes contact dermatitis in majority of the people. Contact with the poison ivy plant often gives rise to an allergic reaction. The affected individual is likely to experience symptoms such as redness, itching, swelling, or the development of fluid-filled blisters on the affected skin. The best cure for poison ivy is immediate cleaning of the exposed area with alcohol along application of cold compresses and oatmeal baths.
The poison ivy plant is a poisonous plant that is commonly found in North America. Urushiol, which is a colorless and odorless oil or resin present in the leaves, stem, or the roots of this plant, is allergenic in nature. Direct or indirect contact with this liquid gives rise to an allergic reaction that is characterized by the development of a rash, swelling, blisters, and itching on the skin. The oil can also get transferred to pets, clothing, or any other object, and one might develop an allergy on coming in contact with any such object. The severity of the reaction depends on the patient's sensitivity, degree of exposure, and the body part that is exposed.
Symptoms
Usually 24 to 48 hours after exposure, the patient may experience skin irritation signs such as redness, blistering, and severe itching. The most common symptoms caused by this toxic plant include reddish, inflamed skin having red pimples or blister-like bumps, a burning sensation in the affected area, or fever. Though the symptoms may take 1 or 2 weeks to appear, this condition is not contagious. One is more likely to get the rash on the hands, arms, legs, face, feet, and sometimes on other body parts like the stomach and back.
What is the Best Cure for Poison Ivy?
Urushiol induced contact dermatitis should be treated as soon as possible, otherwise the symptoms may worsen to anaphylaxis. The severity of the allergic reactions vary depending on the amount of urushiol oil that you have been exposed to. On the safer note, it is important to understand the home remedies of poison ivy, so that we can practice them in case of accidental contacts with the plant. Following are some of the best cures for poison ivy.
1. Clean Exposed Area: The first aid step after exposure to poison ivy is to immediately clean the skin by using alcohol and wash with cold water. If you manage to clean the area within 10 minutes, then you are less likely to develop urushiol induced contact dermatitis. Make sure you don't use soap as it can spread the oil to other parts of the body. Some people prefer to clean with very hot water (tolerable temperature) to relieve itching symptoms.
2. Wet Compresses and Oatmeal Baths: Application of wet compresses along with oatmeal baths is also considered a good cure. Apply wet compresses to the itchy skin area for about 15-20 minutes for 3-4 times a day. This will help in relieving the skin irritation and discomfort caused by urushiol oil. For oatmeal baths, boil oatmeal until it is softened and add in the water for bathing. Another option is to wrap the cooked oatmeal in a cloth and place it over the affected skin area. This will fasten the rupturing of the blisters and healing of the rashes.
3. Baking Soda Mixture: Another effective remedy for poison ivy is usage of baking soda. Make a paste by mixing three parts of baking soda with one part of water. Apply this mixture topically on the affected skin areas. If rashes are spread in various parts of the body, you can take a baking soda bath by dissolving half a cup of baking soda in a bucket of lukewarm water. Application of baking soda helps in quick drying of the skin rashes.
4. Antihistamines and Calamine Lotion: Over-the-counter or non-prescription oral antihistamines can be administered in order to combat severe itching and discomfort over the exposed area. You can also apply calamine lotion to the skin that has been brushed with poison ivy plant.
Home Remedies for Poison Ivy Rash
The first step is to place the affected area under cold running water. The application of calamine lotion on the affected skin is one of the common remedies. Given below are some of simple home remedies that can help provide relief from the itchy rashes caused by poison ivy.
• If affected by this plant, never use warm or hot water to wash or bathe, as urushiol can the plant secretes oil that disperses in warm water. Therefore, always wash or bathe with cold water, so that the oil doesn't spread to other areas.
• You can also use Fels-Naptha soap on the area and then rinse with cold water.
• Mix equal quantities of buttermilk, vinegar, and salt. Rub this mixture on the rash. Though it might not provide relief immediately, you might experience relief after a while.
• A paste of baking soda and water can be applied on the rash.
• Vitamin C along with bioflavonoids help in preventing the rash from spreading. It might prevent secondary infection and help treat inflammation.
• Intake of calcium, beta-carotene, and zinc helps to boost the body's immune system, which speeds up healing, and repairs damaged skin tissues.
• Make a paste with ¼ cup of bleach and 3/4 cup of warm water. Apply it to the affected area using a washcloth. It will help resolve the allergic reaction within 2 to 3 days.
• One natural remedy is to apply the sap of jewelweed which is present in the thick stems of the tall and lanky plant. A solution may be prepared by boiling the parts of this plant in water for 15 to 20 minutes. Allow the solution to cool, then strain and apply the liquid to the affected area.
• Soaking 3 cups of oats in water and applying the paste on the affected area also helps in relieving the itchy sensation.
The best way to prevent urushiol induced contact dermatitis is to identify the plant and avoid contacts with it. It is also to be borne in mind that indirect contact with urushiol oil through pet fur, clothes and gardening tools that are contaminated with the toxin also results in skin rash. Explain the harmful effects and allergies of poison ivy to the kids, so that they will avoid exposing to this toxic plant. Consult a qualified physician in case of moderate to severe poison ivy. The physician may prescribe topical steroid creams and/or oral steroids to combat the itching symptoms of contact dermatitis.
Insect Bite
Insects can be everywhere, and can be annoying. But, they can become a bane on your life when they start biting you, whenever you are asleep or otherwise. Fortunately, not many insects that are found around human settlements, cause severe health complications from their bites, except a few. Skin rashes caused by most insect bites are red, painful, and itchy. Taking notice of other signs that occur besides the rash, may help you identify the insect that is troubling you.
The following outlines the symptoms caused by insect bites, their possible effects on health, and a few self-care treatment measures to manage the symptoms.
Bedbug Bite
• Bedbugs leave bites on the skin, often in straight lines or in clusters.
• A skin rash or slightly swollen, itchy or irritating red bumps, may develop in the bitten area, one to several days later.
• If the rash or the itchy bumps continue to spread, it means that the person is still being bitten by bedbugs.
• The bitten site may stay swollen for a few days, and gradually fade away.
• Not everyone bitten by bedbugs develops the above symptoms, and most people do not experience severe reactions. Some people, however, may develop a skin rash of fluid-filled blisters, which are more serious.
• Areas of the face, neck, hand or arm are the common sites where bedbugs perch to feed on blood.
Mosquito Bite
• Mostly, a mosquito bite is harmless and merely an itchy annoyance. However, a skin rash caused by the same, may be a type of severe reaction.
• The rash is similar to blisters or bruises, with redness and itching around the bitten areas.
• People who suffer from uncommon, large areas of swelling are diagnosed with "Skeeter Syndrome" - an allergic reaction.
• Other rare allergic reactions from a mosquito bite, include anaphylaxis, hives or swelling.
Chigger Bite
• You may not know you were bitten by a chigger, until you notice an itchy, red skin rash after about 12 - 24 hours.
• Chigger bites are usually painless, and not easily noticeable. However, lesions caused by the bite can be extremely itchy.
Tick Bite
• If you like spending time outdoors, especially places with tall grasses and plants, and you notice an unexplained rash on your body, then the odds are, you have been bitten by a disease-carrying tick.
• Skin rash associated with a tick bite may indicate bacterial infections such as Lyme disease, southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI), and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
• If your rash appears as a circular patch, and resembles a bull's eye, then the infection could be Lyme disease or STARI. The rash begins at the bittern site, and is usually warm and painless.
• The rash caused by Rocky Mountain spotted fever does not itch and is painless. It occurs in the form of small, red flat spots, that appears on the wrists and ankles first, before spreading to the palms, ankles, soles, and the trunk.
• Common symptoms that may accompany a tick bite rash are fever, headache, and fatigue.
Flea Bite
• Rash from a flea bite appears as small itchy bumps that may or may not bleed. These swollen itchy spots have a single puncture mark in the center.
• The rash is inflamed and appears in clusters or lines of two bites.
• The itching and inflammation may continue for several weeks before they subside.
Spider Bite
• There are rare cases of spider bites in the US, and moreover, most of these insects are harmless, except the black widow and brown recluse spider. It is usually the bite of a brown recluse spider that causes a rash around the bitten area.
• A brown recluse spider bite is extremely poisonous, and it may be painless or cause a mild stinging sensation, in the beginning. That is why, most victims do not feel its bite. The symptoms start with local redness, formation of blisters, red rash in the form of a bull's eye, and pain. With time, a deep ulcer may develop in the bitten area, that may take six to eight weeks to heal.
• Besides the rash, the bite may also cause symptoms such as a mild fever, listlessness, nausea, elevated blood pressure, and joint pain.
Bee Sting
• A sting from a bee can trigger severe allergic reaction in people who are allergic to the toxin injected by the stinger.
• A skin rash caused by a bee sting may indicate a normal or mild reaction, or it may also indicate a severe allergic reaction. That is why, it is important to take notice of the other symptoms that occur besides the skin rash, after having stung by a bee.
• A rash around the sting site, with just pain and swelling is most likely a normal reaction.
• If the rash is accompanied by swelling over a large area, then it is a case of a localized swelling; mostly, it is not serious.
• You can suspect a severe allergic reaction from a bee sting when it triggers symptoms such as a red, itchy skin rash (hives), accompanied by rapid pulse, dizziness, swollen face or throat, difficulty swallowing or breathing.
• The above symptoms could also be caused by the sting of insects such as wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets.
Fire Ant Sting
• A skin rash caused by a fire ant sting, may occur in the form of red, pus-filled blisters. The blisters will usually have a white tip, similar to a boil.
• The blisters may be painful, have a burning sensation and itch. There may also be swelling at the sting site.
Caterpillar Sting
• Rash caused by a caterpillar sting occurs within hours after the insect has made contact with the skin. Not only the area stung by the insect may develop a rash, but other non-contacted areas may also develop the same. This usually occurs when the hair (that contain chemicals that irritate the skin) of the insect becomes airborne.
• A caterpillar sting usually triggers an itchy rash on areas such as the abdomen, chest, back, arms, and legs.
• In the US, the puss caterpillar is the most poisonous of all caterpillars. Its sting may trigger bouts of symptoms which include skin rash, fever, cramps, and vomiting.
Head Lice Bite
• If you have intense itching and irritation of the scalp, coupled with a skin rash on the nape of your neck, then you are certainly having a head lice problem.
• Head lice do not carry any illnesses, and so they do not lead to serious problems. However, intense lice infestation can cause severe scratching of the scalp, which in turn, may lead to secondary bacterial infections.
Self-Care Treatment Measures
• One simple home remedy for soothing pain and irritation from an insect bite or sting is applying ice. Icing the bitten area helps reduce itching and any inflammation.
• Calamine-based lotions also help ease itching and swelling.
• Make a thick paste of baking soda and water, or a solution of meat tenderizer and water, and apply it on the bitten area to treat the rash.
• Another simple self-care treatment for insect bite rash is dabbing the bitten area with quick lime. It keeps the rash from spreading any further, and reduces itching and irritation.
• Early treatment for insect bite rashes is the only way to prevent severe infections, widespread swelling, and intense pain. Do not let the bite stay as it is, hoping that it will subside by itself. If the symptoms persist, worsen, or even concern you, get medical help at the earliest.
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