How to treat it: Oral antihistamines will help relieve itchy skin and irritated eyes, nose, and throat. Your rash will likely be accompanied by a runny nose, itchy throat, and dry, scratchy eyes.Ĭauses: A ragweed-triggered rash is an allergic reaction to the pollen in the plant. What it looks like: Small, itchy bumps and blisters, and hives in severe cases. And beware: Clothing, garden tools, or even pets that have been exposed to poison ivy, oak or sumac, can spread the toxin. Your best defense: First off, follow the old adage, “Leaves of three, let it be.” If you suspect you’ve been exposed, wash the area with soap and water within 15 minutes of contact-you may be able to avoid catching a rash. See a doc if: The OTC lineup doesn’t kick the itch within a week (the irritation should subside in about three to five days), or if the rash lingers past a couple of weeks. Go for a topical cream if the rash is contained, and for more spread-out rashes use an oral diphenhydramine, like Benadryl Allergy tablets, non-drowsy Zyrtec, or Claritin. Still scratching? Hydrocortisone cream packs the strongest punch by reducing the inflammation that’s causing the itch. In more severe cases, use an antihistamine. How to treat it: For mild cases, OTC calamine lotion should control itching. If you’ve been exposed before, you’ll likely notice the rash within 48 hours, but blisters can take up to 10 days to appear if it’s your first encounter, says Nelson. All three plants contain the toxin urushiol, which most people are allergic to. What it looks like: Tiny fluid-filled blisters in a linear or crisscross pattern.Ĭauses: Direct contact with poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac. Your best defense: If you’ve been in infested water, towel off after swimming to decrease your chances of developing the itch. See a doc if: Symptoms don’t disappear after a week. Colloidal oatmeal or baking soda baths can also soothe skin. How to treat it: Use anti-itch cream, 1% hydrocortisone cream, or an antihistamine to stop the itch. It burrows into skin and causes an inflammatory reaction. What it looks like: Small, red, very itchy bumps or blisters that may also burn.Ĭauses: Swimmer’s itch is actually an allergic reaction to a parasite found in open water. Skip heavy moisturizers, pick oil-free, non-comedogenic sunscreen, and wear loose-fitting clothing instead of sweat-trapping spandex. Your best defense: Be mindful when you know you’re going to sweat. A physician may prescribe a stronger cortisone cream or an anti-acne medication to exfoliate skin and open pores. See a doc if: You’re still itching after a week or if the rash doesn’t go away on its own. Otherwise, you need to wait for the pores to open up on their own for the rash to go away. How to treat it: Use an anti-itch cream with a combo of camphor and menthol, like Sarna Original Lotion, calamine lotion, or 1% hydrocortisone cream to help relieve discomfort. What it looks like: Small zit-like bumps on the back and chest, or deep, painful, acne-like breakouts in more severe cases.Ĭauses: Excessive sweating in hot, humid weather can clog pores and cause breakouts. This rundown can help you identify and treat skin problems like poison ivy, heat rash, and chigger bites-as well as fend off future run-ins.īut before you self-diagnose, remember this: While summer rashes will usually clear up with an over-the-counter cream, skin infections that come with a fever, headache, shortness of breath, or abdominal pain require a trip to the doc, warns Lewis Nelson, M.D., a New York City-based emergency medicine doctor and medical toxicologist. Enter our guide to all things summer rash-related. Itchy bumps and painful blisters can ruin your warm-weather plans whether you’re in the woods wearing your hiking treads thin or on the patio barbequing on a new kickass grill.īut they don’t have to.
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