How do I treat Poison Oak?

Poison Oak is a plant of the genus toxicodendron, along with a poisonous ivy and a Sumac poison. Its leaves and branches produce oil called urushiol, which can cause a severe allergic reaction called contact dermatitis. A person who touches or threes to the plant usually develops itching, red, blisters on the skin that can be unpleasant. In most cases, people can treat poisonous oak at home in less than two weeks with fine soap and water, cooling the skin with ice and skin skin and applying the current hydrocortisone cream. Doctors treat serious or persistent poison oak cases with antihistamines and prescription steroids. In nature, it grows as a small leaf vine or shrub at the base of larger trees and plants. Urushiol gets on the skin when a person touches leaves or accidentally wipes off the plant. The oil can also maintain clothing and can be transferred to the skin by means of a tukovzinated material. Creating an area with soap and water can be able to treat poisonousoak and remove traces of urushiol before it can chemically connect with the skin. However, thoroughly washing the affected part of the body is effective only if it is carried out within 15 minutes of contact with the poisonous oak.

If the rash begins to evolve, the individual should still wash the area to help prevent bacterial infections. During the first few hours after the reaction, the skin usually becomes extremely red and itchy. Doctors strongly indicate that people avoid temptation to scratch, as it usually worsens irritation and increases the chance of infection. Instead, people should treat poisonous oak by applying cold water and ice on the skin to alleviate the itching feelings of burning. Creys containing calamine, oatmeal or aloe can also cool the skin and alleviate symptoms.

individual can continue to treat poisonous oak at home by taking over -the -counter oral antihistamines and apply local corticosteroidCream such as hydrocortisone. Antihistamines and creams can further reduce the symptoms of itching and help people sleep, even if they do not actually shorten the time of healing the rash. In careful poison oak treatment, most cases were relieved in about two weeks. If symptoms persist for more than two weeks or cause serious discomfort, the individual should usually plan a meeting with his doctor.

The physician can treat poison oak using oral and local antihistamines. It may decide to manually drain large blisters if they are sensitive to the touch. In a serious case, the doctor may administer an oral steroid called Prednison, which works by stopping the reaction of the immune system to the Poison oak, stopping further inflammation. Medical treatment is generally effective in releasing the rash within a few days.