Irritated skin? Relieve rashes and bug bites
-Prevention
For sun: seek shade and wear sunscreen. For plants: know where poisonous plants grow and what they look like. For both: wear long clothing.
-First Aid
A sun rash can appear hours later, but also settles if you stay in the shade. Calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream can reduce the itchiness. Same for plants, but first wash the area immediately. If blistering, see your physician for cortisone by mouth.
Bug Bites
Mosquitoes suck. Black flies bite. Bees and wasps sting. All can cause allergic reactions.
-Symptoms
Itchiness, irritation, pain, stinging, redness, pus, difficulty breathing.
-Prevention
For flies and mosquitoes, wear long clothing and netting around the head. Insect repellent like DEET is recommended, but "DEET can affect how well a sunscreen works so apply them at different times," Says Dr. Rosen. For bees and wasps, don't aggravate them - they sting when frightened.
-First Aid
After Bite softens the sting and hydrocortisone cream soothes the skin after a mosquito bite. Cover fly wounds with an antibiotic ointment. Try to remove a bee or wasp's stinger, then apply a hydrocortisone cream. If redness remains or pus appears, see your doctor. If you're having trouble breathing, get to a hospital immediately.
Take our crash course in pool and water safety 101 and keep your family safe around the pool and lake all season.
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