Leaves of Three – Let Them Be!
Somewhere in the woods or maybe even in your own backyard, you may run into a patch of poison ivy. And, you may not even notice – till you start to itch!
By Dr. Camille Nghiem-Phu, B.Sc., N.D.
Every summer we encourage our children to take advantage of the beautiful weather and spend more time outdoors. Unfortunately, poison ivy can be a big problem for children and adults alike.
Most people develop a rash after coming into contact with poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac because they are allergic to the resin contained in the leaves, stems and roots of these herbs. You or your child can also get poison ivy from touching anything that has come into contact with the plant, such as pant legs or sleeves, and has retained some of the plant’s resin.
The poison ivy rash can appear a few hours to a few days after exposure to the resin, and can last from one to four weeks, and is the worst from four to seven days after contact. Not everyone is allergic to the resin of these plants, so it may not bother some people at all.
The first signs of the rash show up as red, very itchy pimples that may develop into small fluid-filled blisters.
Most cases of poison ivy can be treated successfully at home.
• First, help your child identify what a poison ivy plant looks like. If she can distinguish the poisonous plants from safe ones, she can avoid coming into contact with them.
• Thoroughly wash the area of contact with soap and water as soon as possible, and remember that it takes ten minutes for the resinous oil to penetrate the skin. After ten minutes, it cannot be washed off. If there is some resin on your child’s clothing, make sure to wash the clothing thoroughly, otherwise he may develop another rash.
• Apply soothing aloe vera gel to the rash three to four times a day.
• Calendula herb in cream form relieves the itching and accelerates the healing, but should not be applied if the wound is open.
• Jewelweed juice from a fresh plant helps to relieve both itching and inflammation, and stops the rash from spreading.
• The homeopathic remedy “Rhus toxicodendron 6CH” will help relieve the itching very quickly. Give your child one dose three to four times daily, until the symptoms dissipate.
Naturopathic Medicine
Naturopathic medicine is a comprehensive system of diagnosis and treatment that links scientific research with the healing powers of nature. Naturopathic doctors address the cause of illness by acknowledging the body’s inherent ability to heal itself, rather than simply treating or suppressing
the symptoms of the illness. Naturopaths use therapies that are gentler to the body than prescriptive medications and work to develop a healthy individual from the inside out.
Dr. Camille Nghiem-Phu, B.Sc., N.D., is a naturopathic doctor at the Village Wellness Clinic in Markham Village. She has appeared on television and hosts health seminars in Markham and North York. She can be reached at 416.803.4375 or camille@pathtowellness.ca.
2600 John Street, Unit 207, Markham, ON L3R 3W3 T: 905.475.5222 F: 905.475.6369
