Itching, Sneezing, and Creepy Crawlies?

Doesn’t sound like a great start to the summer vacation does it, but unless you are prepared, a summer vacation can turn quite uncomfortable!

Allergies are usually associated with the Spring, however there are still many allergens that are prevalent in the summer months. The biggest summer allergy is pollen caused by weeds and grasses which is why you need to be aware of the pollen count for your area. You can find the daily pollen count in your area by logging onto www.Pollen.com.   This  site gives you the allergy forecast for our area( just plug in zipcode), this can even be placed on your computer or smartphone as a widget!

What can you do to help alleviate these symptoms for you and your family? Here are some suggestions:

Over the counter remedies:

1.       Antihistamines such as Zyrtec or Claritin. Help reduce sneezing and itching by blocking histamine production.

2.       Decongestants such as Sudafed or Claritin D help clear mucous out of the nasal passages and reduce swelling

3.       Nasal Spray decongestants: but only for short term use!!

4.       Eye drops such as Opcon-A or Naphcon-A.

Prescription remedies:

1.       Corticosteroid Nasal spray will help reduce nasal swelling

2.       Atrovent can reduce nasal discharge when used with a corticosteroid spray

3.       Singulair

4.       Allergy Shots

Holistic Remedies:

1.       Locally grown honey. Taking one teaspoon full a day can help your body build up some immunity to the local flora found in our area. Bardy  Farms and Malanga’s have locally grown honey.

2.       Neti-pot: this nasal irrigation pot used with warm salt water can clear out mucous and open sinus passages. Edgewood pharmacy has a variety of Neti-pots available.

Remember to see your physician before treating any allergies, as they will know what is best for you!

Posion Ivy

Urushiol oil is the potent culprit found on the poison ivy plant that causes the dreaded poison ivy rash. Only 1 billionth of a gram is needed to cause a rash. Contrary to popular belief rubbing the rash won’t spread poison ivy to other parts of your body (or to another person). You spread the rash only if urushiol oil- the sticky resinlike substance that causes the rash – has been left on your hands.

Urushiol oil stays active on any surface, including dead plants, for up to 5 years and you cannot be immune to it. 90% of people are allergic to urushiol oil, it’s a matter of time and exposure. The more times you are exposed the more likely it is that you will break out with an allergic rash. For the first time sufferer it generally takes longer for the rash to show up- generally 7 – 10 days.

What can you do? If exposed to poison ivy immediately was the area with Tecnu. This skin cleanser cleanses and decontaminates skin, tools, clothes, and pets by removing the invisible oil of poison oak, ivy and  sumac.

Avoiding Poison ivy is the best way to prevent it, remember though that Poison sumac is a plant that can have 7 – 13 leaves, while poison ivy and oak still use the old saying “leaves of three, let them be”.

Tecnu can be found at most local pharmacies.

Creepy Crawlies

Kids going off to camp, summer sleepovers, this is the best time for lice to proliferate! I don’t know how many phone calls I get at the end of the summer when kids return from camp asking me to check their child’s head for lice.

Lice has been around since the time of Cleopatra and people usually ask where do they come from and how did my kid get it??

Head lice come from other head lice and it is generally transferred by head-to- head contact.

Pediculicides are the common treatment for head lice, but just treating your child once and forgetting it will not ensure that your child is lice free. These chemicals are no longer considered 100% effective, but there are other things you can do.

Use a pediculicide first, but then check your child’s head every few days for 3-4 weeks to make sure they are lice and nit free. Head lice can live off a human head for up to 48 hours and a louse lives on a head for approximately 30 days. Head lice can live off a human head for up to 48 hours and a louse lives on a head for approximately 30 days. A hatched nit needs a human blood meal within 45 minutes to survive. Nits are as small as a sesame seed and can be missed, and the louse moves so fast they are easy to miss as well. Therefore continuous checking for 3-4 weeks will ensure that you have removed every last one.

Smothering head lice with olive oil is an excellent treatment option for eliminating pediculicide-resistant head lice. To learn how to use the olive oil treatment program correctly, log onto the website: www.headlicetodeadlice.com.  This website provides valuable information on how to treat lice.

There are also many “nit pickers” in the area that would be happy to help you treat your child.

Fairy Lice Mothers: Located in Bridgewater. www.fairylicemothers.com

Lice Be Gone: Located in Short Hills. www.licebegone.net

Lice Lifters: Located in Clark and Fairfield. www.licelifters.com

Before you hit the panic button realize that lice are tenacious, tricky little insects that while hard to eliminate are not dangerous.