Health Watch by Steve Mullenix

The North Jefferson News



A rash can be quite irritating, and in some cases a symptom of a much more serious condition. The symptoms of a rash requiring immediate medical attention include:

• Shock

• Moderate to severe difficulty in breathing, wheezing or tightness in the chest

• Rapid swelling of the throat, tongue, lips, eyelids or face

• Drooling or an inability to swallow

• A severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to the allergen in the past

• The appearance of bruises or blood spots under the skin that occur with a mental change such as confusion, irritability or extreme sleepiness.

A rash without the above symptoms in most cases is not serious, and can be often relieved with some home treatments. These include:

• An oatmeal bath can relieve the itching. Wrap one cup of oatmeal in a cotton cloth or sock and boil. Allow it to cool to room temperature, and use it as a sponge to bathe in cool water without soap. This product can be purchased at the drug store as Aveeno Colliaded Oatmeal Bath.

• Avoid scratching. Cut the fingernails short, or wear cotton gloves at night to prevent scratching

• Wear cotton clothing, avoid wool and synthetic fabrics next to your skin

• Use gentle soaps, such as Basis, Cetaphil, Dove, or Oil of Olay. Use as little soap as possible and avoid deodorant soaps.

• Wash clothes with a mild soap, such as Cheer free. Rinse clothes twice to make sure as much soap as possible is removed.

• Do not let the skin become too dry. This can make itching worse

• Practice some form of stress management to relax the body

Often people find it difficult to adhere to some of the above suggestions. If the above therapies are ineffective or not offering fast relief, there are several pharmaceutical products available.

Calamine lotion is a soothing and protective lotion for the skin following minor skin irritations (itching, pain and discomfort) including poison ivy, poison oak, or sumac.

As with any medication, read the directions as listed on the bottle. Shake well before use. Use a cotton pledget or soft cloth for easy application. Do not use Calamine lotion over a large area of the body. Try to use it every day if possible.

There are some precautions with Calamine lotion. Do not use if you are pregnant or are breast-feeding. If you are taking any prescriptions or dietary supplements be sure to ask the pharmacist about any drug to drug interaction. Avoid getting Calamine lotion in the eyes or on mucous membranes. If symptoms last more than seven days, contact the health care provider. Use Calamine lotion on children under six years of age by the advice of the physician.

Hydrocortisone cream is a topical steroid preparation. Until several years ago, this medication required a prescription. Apply this medication four times a day for severe itching.

Oral Antihistamines can help the scratch-itch cycle. Examples of these products include chlorpheniramine maleate (Chlor-Trimeton) and diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Oral antihistamines are helpful for itching and discomfort, but may affect daily activities due to the side effects of dizziness or sleepiness. It is suggested not to drive or operate any type of equipment if taking any of these medications.

If none of these home or over-the-counter therapies are effective and there is a need to see a medical professional, be sure and prepare for the appointment. Some information that the physician would find useful include:

• When did the rash start

• Where (on the body) did the rash start

• Has the rash spread or changed

• Has there been contact with anything that caused the rash

• Has there been contact with anyone who has a similar rash

• Previous history of the rash

• What are the symptoms: itching, burning, stinging, tingling, numbness, pain or tenderness to the touch

• Are there any new foods, cosmetics, or cleaning agents

• Any health problems in the last 3 months

• Is there an unusual amount of stress at home or work

• Treatments already attempted for the rash

• Any chronic conditions being treated

Other than the minor irritation, most rashes are often self-limiting. They can usually be easily treated to relieve the temporary discomfort associated with the condition. Hopefully, it will go away quickly and easily so that summer activities can be enjoyed.

Steve Mullenix (R.Ph) co-owns The Pharmacy in Mount Olive with his wife, Sherry Mullenix (J.D., R.N.). They can be reached at 631-1201.