Your outdoor time will really be more enjoyable if you learn how to treat the painful rash caused by the poison plants if it does occur.
Tips to Treat the Rash Caused by the Poison Plants
Here are few tips on how to treat the rashes effectively those are caused by the poison plants.
- The best possible way to treat the rashes is to catch it early. At the first sign of a rash, or if you feel that you have been exposed with any of these plants, then you need to wash the affected area immediately with cool water and plain soap as soon as possible. Try to keep the area clean as more as possible, cool, and dry. Most importantly never scratch.
- Generally, the allergies caused by the poison plants including poison oak, ivy and sumac may be extremely irritating. Fortunately, the poison plant allergy doesn’t pose a serious health threat. So there are various types of over-the-counter medicines that can provide relief.
- There are several creams and ointments, like Benadryl or hydrocortisone cream or Caladryl lotion, which are able to soothe the itching.
- One thing you need to remember that you need to wash the area very well and dry it before applying any cream or ointment if you have used the same earlier also.
- You can also use an oral antihistamine, like Benadryl. It can alleviate the allergic symptoms. You can soothe the troublesome itching by applying cool compresses. You can also soak the affected area in cool water mixed with baking soda.
- If you are noticing that the rashes have spread over a large area of your body or it has spread near your eyes, then you need to see a doctor. He may prescribe an oral corticosteroid that can lessen the itching and swelling. There are several prescription ointments and creams that may provide relief.
Serious Symptoms of Plant Allergy
If you have any of symptoms mentioned below then you need to be hospitalized. If the rash spreads over more than one-quarter of your body, then the allergens in the plant oil can cause a immune system reaction. You need to be admitted in the emergency room of a hospital if you are having any of the symptoms listed below with a severe rash:
- Fever, headache, or nausea
- Extremely sore or painful rash that interferes with normal activity
- Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
- Blisters that continue to ooze after a few weeks
- Swollen lymph nodes in your neck, under your arms, or in the groin
