Have you been touched by a deadly plant called nettle while exploring the forest or climbing a hill? Get ready for a rash afterwards! Although the existence of nettle is quite easy to identify, not a few people who accidentally come into contact with this poisonous plant. As a result, in a relatively short time their skin will grow rashes or even blisters filled with fluid. Since scratching the rash will speed up its spread, try not to touch the rash while waiting for it to dry. Once your rash has been successfully treated, learn some tips for identifying and avoiding nettle plants in the future!
Step
Part 1 of 3: Cleanses and Soothes Skin
Step 1. Clean the skin
Immediately after coming into contact with nettle, immediately clean the skin thoroughly with warm, soapy water. If possible, clean the skin within 30 minutes of contact with nettle leaves. If not, find a nearby water source and scrub the skin for at least 10 minutes.
- Also clean the skin area behind the nails.
- If you have time to clean yourself at home, wash the clothes and shoes you wear!
Step 2. Don't touch the rash
In fact, a nettle rash can easily spread by touching or scratching. If you accidentally come into contact with nettle leaf or develop a rash, never touch the area around your eyes, mouth and genitals! Remember, all parts of nettle (even the dead ones) contain an allergen oil called urushiol which can cause itching or blisters if inhaled or in contact with the skin.
If a rash forms around the eyes, mouth, or genitals, see a doctor immediately
Step 3. Soak in astringent solution
If the skin blisters after being exposed to nettle leaves, never squeeze or puncture the blisters so that the skin does not become infected or leave scars. Instead, soak the blistered skin in Burow's solution. In fact, it's a solution made from a mixture of aluminum sulfate and aluminum acetate, and products containing this solution can be easily found in major pharmacies. Do this process for 20 minutes, at least two to three times a day.
Burow's solution acts as an astringent that can reduce the size of the blisters and dry them out
Step 4. Take a bath
Fill nylon socks or stockings with steel-cut oatmeal. After that, tie the end of a sock or stocking on the faucet mouth so that when the water is turned on, the tub will automatically fill with a mixture of water and oatmeal essence. Soak in the oatmeal solution for as long and as often as you want.
- Research shows that oatmeal is effective at calming rashes and reducing the itching it causes. Remember, the less often the rash is scratched, the faster it will dry.
- If you want, you can also buy special oatmeal powder that can be poured directly into the bath.
Step 5. Use a cold compress
Soak a clean cotton towel in cold water; wring it out first so that the water doesn't drip and dirty the floor. After that, place a cold towel on the affected skin for as long as possible. If the towel starts to warm up, soak it in cold water again and repeat the process. Do this method as often as you want!
- To make an astringent compress that will dry out the rash, try brewing a pot of tea. After that, soak a clean towel in steeped tea and use it to compress the rash.
- The higher your body temperature, the more itchy your rash will be. Therefore, apply a cold compress to soothe the skin and relieve itching.
Part 2 of 3: Using Topical Medicine
Step 1. Apply anti-itch products and other products that can dry out the rash
After removing the nettle oil from the skin, immediately apply a product that can reduce itching and dry the rash quickly. For example, you can use calamine lotion or over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream. Calamine is effective in drying the fluid that comes out of the rash, while hydrocortisone is able to reduce swelling, itching, and redness of the skin affected by nettle leaves.
Calamine lotion and over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream can be found at most major pharmacies
Step 2. Take an over-the-counter antihistamine at the pharmacy
Several types of over-the-counter antihistamines are brompheniramine, cetirizine, chlorpheniramine, and diphenhydramine. All of them are able to block allergens that make the body react to nettle leaves. Remember, make sure you only take diphenhydramine at night because it can cause drowsiness. At midday, try taking loratadine or cetirizine.
Always follow the instructions for use and the dosage instructions listed on the medicine package
Step 3. Apply an astringent that can dry out the rash
If a large blister forms on the affected skin of the nettle leaf, you will most likely not be able to stay still. To get the fluid out of the blisters and reduce their size, try making an astringent paste. Mix baking soda with enough water; mix well until it forms a fairly thick paste, then apply directly to the rash or blisters on the skin. If the rash is too large or spreads widely enough, pour 200 grams of baking soda into a tub of cold water and soak for at least 30 minutes.
For a less severe rash, try applying a little witch hazel or apple cider vinegar to your skin. In addition, you can also soak a green tea bag or black tea in water and apply it to the surface of the skin affected by the rash
Step 4. Check with a doctor
Although the skin condition feels very severe in the first few days, the rash should heal on its own within a few weeks. If the rash is very widespread, or if the itching is unbearable (even after treatment), see a doctor immediately. You may need to take higher doses of oral steroids or antihistamines. Also call your doctor if:
- Your body temperature is above 38°C
- The rash oozes pus or forms a light yellow soft scab
- The itching gets worse or makes it difficult for you to sleep
- The condition of the rash does not improve after a few weeks
Part 3 of 3: Recognizing and Avoiding Nettles
Step 1. Distinguish nettle from other leafy plants
Generally, nettles grow as trunked or vines, and even shaped like a shrub. In addition, a nettle tendril usually consists of three leaves. So, how do you distinguish nettle from other three-leafed plants such as black berries, raspberries, or box elders? The main difference is that the second (middle) leaf on the nettle plant has a stalk that is longer than the two leaves on its side. In addition, nettle plants usually look shiny and have red stems or reddish leaves.
To identify nettles, look for tendrils that look hairy. In fact, it's the hairy tendrils that help the nettle to grow and propagate
Step 2. Identify the plant species in the area where you live
In fact, nettle leaves can grow all year round and can be easily found in various parts of Asia, Indonesia is no exception. Try to identify the type of nettle that grows in your area. In general, here is a map of the distribution of nettles in various parts of the world:
- Nettle in the East: grows on the ground and can propagate
- Nettle in the West: only grows in the ground
- Nettle in the Pacific region: can be shrubs, grows on the ground and creeps
- Nettle in the Atlantic region: grows on the ground and in the form of shrubs (though very rarely found)
- Poison sumac is a small tree commonly found in wetlands
Step 3. Observe the presence or absence of a rash on the skin
If you touch nettle leaf oil (uroshiol), the rash will usually appear a few minutes to a few hours later (12 to 24 hours). Usually, the rash will look red, swell, and feel very itchy. In addition, you may also find scratches on the rash that indicate the skin has been scratched by nettle leaf. Sometimes, you'll find blisters filled with pus that don't have the potential to spread the rash.
In some cases, a new rash will appear up to three days after contact with nettle leaves
Step 4. Wear clothing that protects the skin
If you have to enter a forest or climb a hill where nettle leaves are growing, or if you simply want to clear your yard of nettle, always wear clothing that protects your skin from nettle oil such as long sleeves, trousers, socks, boots, and gloves. vinyl.
If your clothes come into contact with nettle leaves, don't touch them with your bare hands and wash them immediately! Also wash shoes and other things you wear outdoors as soon as possible
Step 5. Monitor the movement of your pet
If you have a pet who likes to play in the bush or is often outdoors, be aware that he may bring home nettle oil that accidentally gets on his fur. If the oil just sticks to the fur, there's nothing to worry about. But if the oil gets on the skin (for example, the skin on a dog's stomach), it's more likely that a rash will develop. In addition, you are more likely to get a rash if you touch the oil on your pet's fur or skin.
To prevent this from happening, always monitor the movement of your pet outdoors. If he has interacted with nettle leaves, immediately put on protective gloves and bathe your pet to remove the oil and prevent it from spreading
Step 6. Apply a special lotion to protect the skin from the poison of nettle leaf (known as ivy-block barrier or ivy-block lotion)
Before entering the forest, try applying a special lotion that prevents nettle oil from penetrating your skin. Chances are, the lotion can be purchased at most major pharmacies. If it's not over-the-counter at a pharmacy, try buying one online. Look for a product that contains at least 5% bentoquatam, and apply the lotion at least 15 minutes before you have to interact with the nettle leaf.
