Guide To Preventing And Treating A Poison Sumac Rash

Take Lukewarm Baths

To soothe skin at home, patients who have a poison sumac rash may wish to take lukewarm baths. While hot water could dry out and further irritate the skin, lukewarm water will not worsen the patient's symptoms. Some individuals may find cool showers are soothing too. When taking a bath or shower, patients who have a rash should avoid using harsh soaps that might cause dryness. Adding colloidal oatmeal to a bath is beneficial for the relief of itching, and many patients have also found applying a paste of baking soda and water shortly after bathing or showering helps reduce itching. When drying the skin after a bath, dermatologists recommend gently patting the skin dry, as rubbing could exacerbate symptoms. Applying topical medications immediately after a bath or shower can help increase the absorption of the medication. For maximum relief, applying a topical anesthetic such as benzocaine, lidocaine, or menthol to the affected area after a bath could help keep the patient comfortable for an extended period.

Get more details on alleviating a poison sumac rash now.

Apply Cool Compresses

Dermatologists recommend patients apply cool compresses to skin rashes, particularly if blisters are present. The blisters associated with a poison sumac rash typically leak fluid before forming scabs, and they may be accompanied by pain or a burning sensation. To make a cool compress, patients can place ice in a plastic bag. After covering the bag with a towel, the compress can be placed on the rash. If ice is not available, experts advise wetting a towel with cold water, putting it in a sealed plastic bag, and placing the bag in the freezer for fifteen minutes. After that time, the bag is ready for use. Compresses made from wet towels are generally more comfortable for use on rashes in sensitive areas such as the eyes or face. If necessary, a bag of frozen vegetables is suitable for a cool compress. To prevent ice burns, all compresses should have a cover or be wrapped in a towel before being applied to the rash. Doctors advise using a compress for up to twenty minutes at a time, and compresses are safe to use several times a day.