Reasons for rashes

How to handle the problem
If you are a fun of movies, you might have watched or heard about the one called Poison Ivy. Though this has nothing to do with our topic, you might as well want to check it out if you have not.

In medicine, Poison Ivy is a name given to an allergic condition known as Allergic Contact Dermatitis.

Contact Dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin that is caused by direct contact with irritating or allergy- causing substances. The reaction varies in the same person over time. A history of any other type of allergy increases the risk for the condition.

There are several types of Contact Dermatitis that affect different individual in different ways. In infants and children, one of the most common Contact Dermatitis is the Diaper Dermatitis. This is a general term used to describe any inflammatory skin eruption that develops in the diaper-covered region.

It is synonymous with Diaper Rash, Napkin Dermatitis and Nappy Rash. The incidence and age of onset vary worldwide due to differences in diaper use, toilet training, hygiene and child-rearing practices in different countries. Diaper Dermatitis is most often considered an irritant contact dermatitis.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis (Poison Ivy) is the second most common type of Contact Dermatitis, which is caused by exposure to a substance or material to which you have to be sensitive or allergic to. The allergic reaction is usually delayed with the rash appearing 24 to 48 hours after exposure and can last up to eight weeks. The skin inflammation varies from mild irritation and redness to open sores, depending on the type of the irritant the body part affected and your sensitivity.

These substances include Poison Ivy, Poison Sumac and Poison Oak plants that contain an irritating and oily sap called urishiol. It is found in all parts of these plants, including the leaves, stems and roots, and is even present after the plant has died. Urushiol is absorbed quickly into the skin. It can also be inhaled if the poison plants are burned. The smoke may expose not only the skin to the chemical, but also the nasal passages, throat and the lungs. Inhaled urushiol can cause a very serious allergic reaction. Ginkgo fruit and the skin of mangoes also contain urushiol and can produce symptoms similar to Poison Ivy Dermatitis.

Signs and symptoms Poison Ivy Dermatitis include:

• Redness and itching of the skin.
• A rash erupts on the skin; often in a pattern of streaks or patches from where the plant has come into contact with the skin.
• The rash develops into red bumps called papules, or large, oozing blisters.

Often, the rash looks like a straight line because of the way the plant brushes against the skin. But if you come into contact with a piece of clothing or pet fur that has urishiol on it, the rash maybe more spread out.

The fluid that leaks from blisters does not cause the symptoms Poison Ivy Dermatitis is not contagious and cannot be passed from one person to another. However, urushiol can be carried under fingernails and on clothes and if another person comes in contact with it, he or she can develop Poison Ivy Dermatitis.

Risk factors
People of all ethnicity, gender, age and skin types are at the risk of developing Poison Ivy Dermatitis. The severity of the reaction tends to decrease with age, especially in people who have had mild reactions in the past. People in occupations such as firefighting, forestry and farming are at a higher risk of. Poison Ivy Dermatitis because of repeated exposure toxic plants.

Diagnosis
Poison Ivy diagnosis is based by your skin type. Your doctor will only require the presented symptoms and the appearance of the rash to determine if what you or your child has is Poison Ivy. Further testing is not usually necessary.

Treatment
Poison Ivy treatments are usually limited to self-care methods. The rash typically goes away on its own within two to four weeks.

In case of complications where secondary infection has developed-that include pus oozing in the blisters-further treatment is required. The treatment generally involves the use of antibiotics, which only your doctor should prescribe for you.

If the rash is widespread or results in a large number of blisters, your doctor may prescribe an oral corticosteroid.

Prevention and alternative medicine
You can prevent plant poison reactions by doing the following:

• Learn to identify Poison Ivy, Poison Oak and poison Sumac and avoid direct skin contact with them.
• Remove these plants from around your home, especially in areas where you may be working or playing.
• When walking in the woods or working in areas where these plants may grow, cover your skin as much as possible by wearing long pants, long- sleeves, shoes and socks.
• Do not let pets run in wooded areas where they may be exposed to the poisonous plants. They can carry urushiol back home on their fur.
• Wash your skin with soap within 5 to 10 minutes of exposure to the allergen. This helps reduce the severity of the harm.
• Clean anything that may be contaminated with the poison from the plants.

The following alternative medicine may help to soothe the itching and swelling once the rash has broken out:

• Over-the-counter low potency corticosteroid creams applied two to four times a day
• Calamine lotion.
• Oral antihistamine.
• Bovine cartilage creams (5% concentration).

END: BL 43/36-37