How To Treat Rashes Caused By Plants

During the months when weather conditions are good for outside activities, people spend more time in the great outdoors. Spending time in nature can be great for not only our bodies but can also be good for our minds.  

Unfortunately, when we go out into the great outdoors we can sometimes come into contact with poisonous plants that cause an allergic reaction. While there are many plants that can cause an allergic reaction, 10 plants that you will most likely come into contact with, in your outdoor adventures are:

  • Poison Ivy
  • Poison Oak
  • Poison Sumac
  • Stinging Nettle
  • Wood Nettle
  • Giant Hogweed
  • Wild Parsnip
  • Baby’s Breath
  • Leadwort
  • Ragweed

If you do happen to come into contact with these plants, more often than not you will develop a rash. If you do happen to develop a rash, don’t worry, there are some things you can do at home to help alleviate the symptoms of an allergic reaction to these plants.  

If you develop a rash you should:

  1. Avoid touching and rubbing the affected area
  2. Avoid exposure to sunlight and heat
  3. Rinse the area thoroughly with rubbing alcohol or soap and water
  4. Remove any fine hairs left on the skin with duct tape or hair-removing wax
  5. Alleviate discomfort by using calamine lotion, an oatmeal bath, or hydrocortisone cream on the affected area
  6. Take an antihistamine to help slow the allergic reaction

If none of the above steps help you to alleviate your symptoms, it may be a good idea to contact a medical professional for more help. Furthermore, if when you come in contact with these plants you develop difficulty breathing, you may need to contact emergency services immediately.  

For more information about how to identify these rash-inducing plants or how to care for the rashes they cause, check out this infographic below provided by The Derm Review.  

 

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Written by Danielle White
Medical Writer & Editor

View all post by Danielle White