Poison Ivy/Contact Dermatitis

Leaflets three, Let it be

Poison Ivy grows well at the forest edge, so beware on a path through woods or shrubs or on the edges of lawns. One can contract a rash from touching something or someone (including animals) who have touched the plant and from smoke of poison ivy burning. The rash typically appears 1-2 days after exposure.

To do prior to coming in contact with poison ivy:

Wear long pants and long sleeves when going into an area with poison ivy.

Use of specially formulated lotions prior to entering areas with poison ivy may reduce the risk of getting the rash. Ivy Dry Defense and Ivy Block are two available brands.

Immediately after coming into contact with poison ivy:

Wash involved area as soon as possible. Use cool water and soaps without oils. Hot water and moisturizers can activate the oil which causes poison ivy.

Avoid contact with upholstery and other hard to clean surfaces. Wash clothing/shoes (including laces) which may have had contact with poison ivy to prevent future spread.

Treatment of Poison Ivy

Poison Ivy will typically last about two weeks.

To ease the itchy symptoms of poison ivy:

•  Cut your nails, so when you do scratch there isn’t so much damage.
•  Stay cool. Heat tends to worsen the itch.
•  Place a cool cloth over the area and leave it there for 20 minutes or take a cool shower. Then air dry.
•  Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) 25 mg tabs, 1-2 tabs up to four times a day as needed for itchiness. This doesn’t relieve the allergic reaction poison ivy causes, but does relieve the itchiness. It will make you sleepy.
•  Steroid creams: 1% hydrocortisone cream is the active ingredient in many over-the-counter anti-itch preparations. Follow package instructions.
•  Ask the Pharmacist for recommendations for other over-the-counter anti-itch treatments--there are many.

If your poison ivy is still very bothersome, make an appointment to see the WWU Nurse Practitioner.

Insect Bites

Treatment is the same as for poison ivy. If you did not actually see the insect, it may actually be a bacterial infection that appears to be an insect bite. Make an appointment to see the WWU Nurse Practitioner at Health Services   573-592-4222 to have this evaluated.

Dry skin care

• Use a mild moisturizing soap such as Dove or Cetaphil.
• Take short warm showers and avoid hot, soapy showers.
• Avoid harsh brushes, loofas, etc.
• Always apply a moisturizer after bathing and as needed.
• Creams are more moisturizing than lotions.
• Drink plenty of fluids; water is the best.
• Avoid cold and dry air--bundle up in the winter.
• Limit your exposure to fragranced products:
• Use a fragrance-free detergent.
• Don’t use dryer sheets.

Acne Treatment

• Clean your skin gently with a mild cleanser morning, evening and after strenuous exercise.
• Use oil free soaps and cosmetics. Look for products labeled ‘non-comedogenic’.
• Avoid touching or squeezing pimples. This can make them worsen.
• Tanning may appear to hide acne but it does not reduce the occurrence of acne.

Over-the-Counter Medications for skin application:

• Benzoyl Peroxide -- Very drying, destroys bacteria, may reduce oil
• Resorcinol, Salicylic acid, or Sulfur -- Breaks down blackheads and whiteheads

Each product is available in different forms: bar, liquid, gels or lotions. Follow package instructions. Regular use is essential for improvement to be seen, and this may take 1-2 months. Don’t be discouraged.

Prescription Medications:

To apply to the skin:

• Rx strength benzoyl peroxide
• Retinoids (vitamin A derivatives)
• Antibiotic creams or gels
• Other combination medications

By mouth:

• Oral contraceptives for women
• Antibiotics     
• Retinoids

The William Woods University Nurse Practitioner can prescribe medications for students who need them. Call 573-592-4222 for an appointment.

Eczema

Eczema or atopic dermatitis is a non-contagious chronic rash often related to allergies or to contact with specific irritants. Changes in hormone levels and stress are also explanations for eczema. Usually, there will be patches of dry, scaly, itchy skin, but there are other forms.

Prevention is the best treatment. Avoid contact with those things which irritate you. Take steps to reduce stress – eczema is your body telling you to take a break. Follow the recommendations for dry skin care.

Medications:

• 1% Hydrocortisone Cream –- a mild steroidal anti-inflammatory available over the counter. Apply twice a day when eczema is at its worse; continue to use moisturizers more frequently.
• If this doesn’t help, you may need a prescription steroid cream. Only use these medications until the condition clears. If you stop the cream abruptly after several weeks of regular use, a ‘withdrawal from steroids’ rash and other problems may occur.

Sunscreen/Sunblock

Sunscreen protects your skin from future wrinkles and from skin cancer. Sunlight damages skin with its ultraviolet (UVA & UVB) rays. These rays can cause damage on both cloudy and sunny days.

Tips for choosing sunscreen:

• An SPF of at least 15 or higher. This provides protection for UVB rays. There is no standard for UVA protection.
• Broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection, which is usually provided by a combination of sunscreen ingredients, like avobenzone, mexoryl and/or a sunblock, such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

It is important to apply sunscreen liberally and often. An adult in a bathing suit should expect to use one ounce (a shot glass full) each application. Start by applying it a half hour before going outside and replenish the sunscreen/block every two hours.

Clothes/hats provide better protection than sunscreen.

Using tanning beds and heat lamps will put you

at greater risk for wrinkles and skin cancer later in life.

Click here to download a pdf file about skin care