posted June 08, 2000 03:56 PM            

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SIZE MATTERS

posted June 08, 2000 04:02 PM         

On the rash (two days after contact), I initially use a calamine lotion (Caladryl� to help dry up the rash and blisters, and ease the itching. Later, the rash is dry, red, bumpy, very itchy, and looks terrible.

Then I quit the Caladryl and begin applying Benadryl cream� which helps the itch and soothes the skin caused by the dryness and cracking. The skin is now itchy partly because of the dryness, about seven days after exposure.
Hydrocortisone cream can be applied in very small amounts to the affected areas three times a day. Use sparingly, if at all, on young children. Hydrocortisone cream can be bought over the counter at any pharmacy. All brands are equally (in my experience) NOT effective.

Apply cool soaks or compresses to reduce itching and decrease heat from inflamed areas. Exposure to hot water only increases itching; hot water causes histamine release and itching even if you don't have a rash. In severe cases, or cases involving a significant amount of the face, see your doctor who may prescribe oral corticosteroids, such as Prednisone�. Can have nasty side effects if used in heavier doses or longer than a week; careful!
If the rash becomes extremely severe and painful, interfering with normal activity, or if any of the following symptoms appear, you should also consult a doctor:

the blisters continue to ooze longer than two weeks
a fever, headaches, nausea, difficulty breathing
lymph nodes in your neck, under your arms or in your groin area become swollen and sore
Some people are highly allergic. If you break out in a rash within a few hours of exposure, blisters form, and your eyes swell shut, seek medical attention immediately.

"Triamcinalone" corticosteroid topical cream (some say) works well on the rash; by prescription. Same category of drug as Prednisone�; oral tablets plus a topical cream dose can have additive effects. The reason why these drugs should be used sparingly if at all as studies have indicated "growth suppression" with extended or high dosage use. This product is basically a stronger Rx version of the over-the-counter Hydrocortisone creams.

Remedies to Avoid
Theses remedies are or have been recomended at one time:

Bleach (sodium hypochlorite)
Extremely hot showers
Oatmeal
Scratching the rash & affected skin off
Fels Naptha
Witch Hazel
Aloe Vera
Jewelweed
Goldenseal (Some folks swear by it)
Comfrey
Plantain
Baking soda

Scratching the rash only spreads the rash if oil still remains on the skin. No oil is in the blisters or in the rash. By scratching, you cause bacterial secondary infection which can get wider and cause the situation to become much more severe. In this case, you need a doctor and an antiobitic prescription.

The rash is not contagious. Only the oil itself can be transmitted to others.

Once you get a reaction to poison oak, you always will, although the effects might be diminished as you get older or if considerable time has passed since your last contact.

posted June 08, 2000 04:04 PM            

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SIZE MATTERS