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Leaves of Three
Dealing with Poison Ivy
By Kelly D. Burgess
A secondary infection is characterized by pus, fevers, severe scabbing or expanding redness. Most of these secondary infections are a direct result of scratching the rash, so the best action when the break-out starts is to immediately soothe the itching with cool compresses and a topical anti-itch cream such as calamine lotion or cortisone cream.
Parents should make sure children's nails are short and clean and monitor them to make sure they are not scratching. Using oral antihistamines can also help to control the severe itching.
But the first line of defense is to avoid the plant altogether. Helene Lobas, a Pittsburgh-area certified registered nurse practitioner who treated one of the second grade students for his severe breakout, recommended to his mother that she find some pictures of poison ivy, oak and sumac and, after he recovered, take a little nature walk through their woods, pointing out the plant as they went and teaching him how to recognize and avoid it.
The old saying, "Leaves of three, let it be," is a good guide, but sometimes the plants can have up to five leaves, so a good field guide is a better idea. Dr. Mancini adds that dressing for hiking – long-sleeved shirt, shoes and socks, long pants tucked into socks – is a good idea for any foray into the woods.