Your nemesis is urushiol, the poisonous oil that adheres to your skin and causes the symptoms, says Kathy Burke, MD, Ph.D., a dermatologist at Cabrini Medical Center in New York City.
The itching and rashes don't appear immediately; it typically takes between 5 to 21 days before you feel those effects.Important note: "If you wash within 20 minutes of touching it, you probably won't get it," Burke relates.
Once you've got blisters, make sure you don't spread the poison to other parts of your skin."People think it's spreading, but the blister fluid itself won't spread it," Burke says."You spread it yourself by touching the poison on your skin, then touching another place on your body."
Sensitive people can get it after being exposed to a minor amount, even from pets' fur, says Burke
To ease itching: Benadryl helps.So do oatmeal baths, 1/2% hydrocortisone cream, and calamine lotion.Putting ice on the itch acts as a topical anesthesia.If your reaction is really bad, a doctor should prescribe steroid creams, Burke
says."It's worth going to the doctor the first time, then using those medications again the next time you're exposed."
Insect Stings and Bites
Usually, insects are just an annoyance-but some people are deathly allergic to stings and bites.Anaphylaxis is a severe reaction and nothing to take lightly, Burke
relates."You can't breathe because your throat starts to close.You have to get right to the hospital, or you literally die."How do you know if you're deathly allergic?If you have a family history of anaphylaxis, or if you've ever had a very bad reaction to a sting or penicillin injection, you need what's known as an "epi pen."
"Epi" is short for epinephrine-an injectible form of adrenaline-that reverses the allergic reaction immediately.
You might try Japanese garlic pills, which are believed to prevent bites, says Burke
.Symptoms of West Nile infection: fever, headache and body aches, and often a bulls-eye rash.If you are over age 50 and suspect West Nile virus, get emergency medical attention.