healthy you [
YOUR HEALTH
Ditch
the Itch
Escape the
wrath (and rash)
of poison ivy.
B Y D O U G D O N A L D S O N
PH O T O M A R T Y B A LD W IN
ou have to give
poison ivy
credit for its
resilience. It
thrives almost
everywhere in the United
States, and each year more
than 10 million Americans
will have close, itchy contact
with it, according to the
American Academy of
Dermatology. And if you
come in contact with the oil
released by poison ivy, you
may suffer blisters, redness,
swelling, and itching. What’s
worse: That oil, called
urushiol, is odorless,
colorless, and can be passed
along on clothing, pet fur,
yard tools, and sports
equipment. Here’s howto
prevent exposure, clean up if
you do come in contact with
the dreaded plant, and
relieve its most troublesome
symptoms.
BUILD A BARRIER
“Prevention is key,” says Dr.
Linda Stein Gold, director of
clinical research in the
department of dermatology
at Henry Ford Hospital in
Detroit. Wearing long
clothing helps because it
keeps the plant away from
your skin, but be aware that
the oil can stick to clothes
and contaminate your skin as
you undress. So use a lotion
containing bentoquatam,
which prevents the oil from
binding to skin. Apply to
exposed skin at least 15
minutes before stepping
outside to prevent or reduce
the severity of poison ivy
rash. It’s not recommended
for children under age
6
.
WASH IMMEDIATELY
“You have 15 to 30 minutes
before the oil binds to the
skin and begins to penetrate,
which may lead to a reaction,”
says Dr. Joseph Fowler Jr., a
dermatologist in Louisville,
Kentucky. Soap and water
work very well if you wash
immediately after exposure,
but if you don’t clean up
within that short window,
you’ll have a more difficult
time avoiding the rash. Make
it a practice to wash all
exposed skin thoroughly
after yardwork. Best yet, take
a quick, soapy shower.
EASE THE ITCH
Because
reactions can occur
1 2
to
48 hours after contact with
urushiol, you may not
immediately know you were
exposed to poison ivy.
“Soaking in a lukewarm bath
with oatmeal or baking soda
solution can relieve itching
and blisters,” Gold says. “See
your doctor if the rash is
extensive, as a topical or oral
steroid maybe necessary.”
Over-the-counter calamine
lotion and creams containing
hydrocortisone can also
reduce symptoms.
P R E V E N T Apply
to skin for hours of
protection, IvyBlock
lotion, $12;
ivyblock.com
Helps Prevent
Poison Ivy, Oak
& Sumac Rash
app«od bok»» ccntod
'ttS S& B
SU»^Wcn«*v»
R E M O V E Apply
within 2 to 8 hours of
exposure to remove
toxic oils>Tecnu,$ 7,
tecnu.com
tecnu
tke ,o rL a U ia l
Ou t d o o r s k in c l e a n s e r
Amoves Poison Oak
S«l*
^ ivy Oils
c* ° e rash and itch ing
r
e d
0
E
C
SO O TH E. Apply three or four times
adayforitch relief, Cortaid Maximum
Strength, $4; cortaid.com
MYTH
The fluid
from blisters
spreads the rash.
FACT
Only
urushiol itself will
spread the rash.
MYTH
Dead
poison ivy is no
longer a problem.
FACT
Urushiol
remains active for
several years.
MYTH
Burning
poison ivy plants
is the best way to
rid your yard of it.
FACT
Burning
sends urushiol into
the air, irritating
eyes and breathing
passages.
MYTH
The end
of summer is the
end of poison ivy
season.
FACT
Yes, the
plants grow in
spring and
summer but you
can get the rash
in fall and winter
when you clean
your yard and
become exposed
to the oil.
214
JUNE 2008 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS
