All Stop Health Blog

Posts Tagged ‘rash’

Poison Ivy can be deadly to some people, but knowing your enemy intimately can save your life!  Coming in contact with poison ivy can irritate your airways and also cause asthma or acute bronchitis.  In severe cases, a high dose of corticosteroids is used to tame this reaction.  On the other hand, ingestion of poison ivy can also result in serious skin lesions caused by a toxic reaction.

Even though the plant appears to be dead, the uroshiol oil still remains on the plant.  The uroshiol oil is the culprit of what creates the miserable itchy, blistery skin reactions associated with poison ivy.  While some people don’t have a reaction to the uroshiol oil, other people may be hospitalized because their reaction is so severe.   Even if you were exposed to poison ivy and you didn’t have a reaction, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re immune to it.  You can develop a reaction at any time in your life.

Poison ivy rash symptoms are usually a red itchy rash that later develops into blisters.  Always wash your skin with soap and water to eliminate the rash from spreading and remember to immediately remove all clothing.  Popping your blisters DO NOT cause your rash to spread; however it’s important to remember that scratching the area could cause a secondary bacterial infection.  Using an antimicrobial spray or gel will eliminate secondary bacterial infections.

To avoid getting poison ivy, wear long pants and shoes that cover your entire foot. If you know you’ve been exposed to poison ivy, remove your clothes immediately to avoid the oil from spreading to other parts of your body.  Then soap and rinse your skin immediately with COLD water.  Remember that hot water will open your pores and let the oil in, which could make your reaction worse.

Remember to wash any articles might have gotten contaminated by the uroshiol oil such as your boots, gloves, equipment and even your pet!

Learn more about our guaranteed Poison Ivy Treatment.

Jock Itch causes include moisture, warmth, and skin friction in the groin folds by wearing tight, occlusive clothing and undergarments that trap in sweat.

Jock Itch is usually associated as a inflammation or  rash on men in the groin area; however that is not totally true!  Women get jock itch too.  Jock itch is more common in men than in women simply because the presence of male genitalia leads to increased friction and humidity.  Women are more prone to develop a similar condition under their breasts.

Although the term Jock Itch implies that there is some sort of relationship with sports or athletics, anyone can get jock itch.   Jock itch is a fungal infection or rash caused by humidity, heat and friction that can irritate the skin.  Microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast and fungi infect the skin and cause burning, swelling along with a great deal of pain.

People who take antibiotics, diabetics, obesity or those from weakened immune systems are more at risk to develop the jock itch rash.  Jock is also highly contagious; therefore preventing the spread of jock itch by avoiding scratching, sexual activity, disinfecting your dress area with a hospital grade disinfectant and avoid wearing damp underwear is critical.  You can easily spread jock itch in your groin area to your feet by simply taking off your underwear; therefore jock itch is easily spread to other areas of your body and to others.

Intimate contact or contact with objects that harbor fungus can contaminate the groin skin. The fungus is spread by contact with the spores, which may survive on dead skin cells or objects for a long time.  An example is sharing a bath towel, socks, or even showering in a shower not properly disinfected.

Learn more about how to get rid of Jock Itch.

If the financial crisis isn’t enough to make you itch, now there’s even more to worry about. Scientist claim there is a distinct possibility of rampant outbreaks of poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac packing more itch power than ever before because of global warming. The greenhouse gas Carbon Dioxide or CO2 is considered a major player in global warming. Increased CO2 emissions are actively facilitating the flourishing of invasive nuisance plants like poison ivy. According to research, toxic strains of poison ivy are growing faster and bigger. Climate shifts are also affecting the spread of poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac.

Research shows climate shifts could also change the growth patterns of certain plants. This is definitely not a good thing when those plants are irritants or allergens. Poison ivy grows almost everywhere in the United States and approximately 80% of all people are allergic to poison ivy and experience a red, bumpy, itchy and sometimes blistering skin rash when they come into contact the plant’s carbon-based active compound.

Studies claim that with the more poisonous strains the resulting rashes and itching will certainly be worse. One such study at Duke University found that urushiol oil exposed to higher levels of carbon dioxide is 30% more potent than oil exposed to common CO2 levels. In fact, some experts believe the toxicity of poison in plants like poison ivy has reached all time highs, much elevated from decades ago. Urushiol is present in all poison ivy plants at all times of the year, but the majority of reactions occur in the spring or early summer when poison ivy leaves are tender and easily bruised. The noxious substance is found on the plant’s leaves, stems, fruit, flowers and roots and can be picked up from contact with pets, tools and clothing, etc.

Learn more about poison ivy and poison ivy treatments.