Summer camps and family hiking sessions can sometimes
result in children getting itchy rashes. To be blamed
are plants such as poison ivy, poison sumac and poison
oak. All of them produce the same substance or oil,
called urushiol, which cause rashes. Urushiol is
colorless and even odorless and is present within the
leaves. Poison ivy can even grow in the backyards and
parks. So any kind of outdoor activity should be
monitored and the lawn should be de-weeded periodically.
Bushes should be checked, as they grow as a regular
plant and the child would not be able to distinguish the
poisonous plant from the regular one.
Precaution is better than cure. Children should be
educated and made to understand the description and
ill-effects of poison ivy. They come in wide range and
some change the appearance depending on seasonal
variations. Urushiol is released from the leaves only
when the leaves are damaged like when they are torn, get
bumped or are brushed. The moment the leave is damaged,
urushiol is released and the skin is affected
immediately. Also, what many people do not know that to
get a rash by poison ivy is not only by coming directly
in contact with the plant. Human and animal carriers of
urushiol can affect people coming in contact with them.
The leaves of the plant can be flown by the air, which
can cause damage when those leaves are handled or burned
with the rest of the leaves and twigs.
Once the children are made familiar with the plants,
they should be asked to steer clear on the sight of the
plant or leaves. Parents should avoid places where there
are possibilities of growth of such plants. When going
on camps, etc., children should not be dressed in short
sleeves and short length pants, so that the body does
not brush off such plants. In spite of taking all these
precautions, if the child comes in contact with such
plants and contact with urushiol is suspected, the area
should be washed with water and disinfectant. It is best
to take shower and clean the whole body and the clothes
should be removed immediately and washed. Pets should
also be bathed after their outdoor adventures.
Basically, the urushiol causes an allergic reaction
which irritates the skin and that is the reason why it
is known as an allergen. This allergen won’t harm all,
but eighty percent of the victims get skin irritations.
It not only creates itchy rashes, but can also swell the
skin. The time period for the symptoms to surface is few
hours to five days. The rash usually takes one to two
week to heal completely. First the skin swells and rash
develops. Blisters can also form as a result of regular
rubbing of the skin to get rid of the itch. The blisters
will form a crust after some days and will flake off.
If the rashes are accompanied with fever, a pediatrician
should be contacted for appointment. And if the case
isn’t that serious, the doctor recommends home remedies.
The child would be asked to be given showers with cold
water and calamine lotion would have to be applied. If
the redness and itching is intense, fluid medicine along
with pills are administered to the kid. Antihistamine is
very popular in such cases. Steroids are prescribed by
the doctor.
