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Poison Ivy, Oak, Sumac

Not all children are allergic to poison ivy, oak and sumac, but for the children that are the rash that ensues after contact can be a painful and irritating thing.
The rash that results from contact with poison ivy, oak and sumac is not directly caused from contact with the plant itself. The real culprit behind the rash is an oil. This oil, called urushiol, is found in the leaves, roots, and twigs of these plants.

There are many things that you can do to help keep your child from getting infected with this type of rash.

• Try to remove the oil from the skin as soon as possible. If the oil can be cleaned away from the skin in less than ten minutes, you will lessen the chances of your child developing a rash. The less time that the oil has to be absorbed into the skin the better.

• Wash the area thoroughly. If you suspect that your child has come in contact with these plants, have him or her wash the area with warm soapy water. Do not use hot water since hot water will open the pores of the skin ands make it easier for the oil to be absorbed in. Also, do not allow your child to use a washcloth on the area. This will only lead to the spreading of the rash.

• Clean anything that your child touches to cut down on cross-contamination. These items, including your child's shoes, clothing, toys and towels that they used, need to be washed with hot water or cleaned with rubbing alcohol.

• Have all family members wash their hands. Even if you do not think that you or another family member has come in contact with your child or the oil, they still need to wash thoroughly to remove any chances of contracting the rash.

• Teach your children how to recognize these plants. The best defense against contracting this rash is to avoid the plants altogether. If your child knows how to recognize the plants, he or she will be able to avoid them.

• Apply a barrier cream. For children who are very allergic to the oils, or those children who are too young to recognize the plants, you may wish to apply a barrier cream to their skin if you think they may come in contact with these plants. These creams, which include such brands as IvyBlock and StokoGard Outdoor cream, work fairly well but must be applied hourly to be effective.

If your child does develop a rash from the plants, you will need to treat it. Although the rash will heal on its own, medication is usually needed to relieve the intense itching that is associated with these rashes. Treatment options include:

• Topical corticosteroids. These creams provide topical relief from itching.

• Oral prednisone. These pills must be prescribed by a doctor and are usually take for a course of ten to twenty days. It is important that you do not allow your child to discontinue the medicine until the treatment is over. The rash can come back if all medication is not taken as prescribed.

• Oral antihistamines. These medications, such as Benadryl, offer some relief but they are not as effective as other medications.

• Topical, over-the-counter creams. These creams, such as Calamine lotion, can help relieve local itching and may your child avoid the urge to scratch.

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