The Washington times., 1933-08-19
Secrets OF
Health
BY LOUIS E. BISCH. MD, Ph.D.
Irritating Substances That Pro-
duce an Inflamed Skin

duce an Inflamed Skin
Many substances of an irri-
tating chemical, animal or
vegetable nature, can inflame
the skin. The general term for
such inflammations is der
mathis"
Among the chemicals are
many employed in the indus
trial arts. Such are caustic
soaps, arsenic, potassium BIZ
chromate and the like.
The bite of certain insects
often causes redness. swelling,
itching and even pain. The
secretions of caterpillars and
jellyfish may also give rise to
a dermatitis.
Poison ivy, poison oak and
poison Sumach are the chief
plant offenders.
There are those who can
touch any of these plants, even
their blossoms and berries,
with impunity. Others again
need only be in the vicinity
where such plant grows in
order to set up rash prompt
ly. Indeed, some persons have
a recurrent rash, although
slight, each year after once
they have been poisoned.
The backs Of the hands and
wrists usually reveal the first
signs Of inflammation as these
parts are most likely to brush
against the ivy or Sumach when
passing. From the hands,
through touching, the face and
neck are almost invariably in
volved. Children who wear
short stockings also carry the
infection to the legs.
Redness and itching occur
after a few hours. A burning
pain may follow in severe cases.
AS the rash spreads and in
creases in severity for a day or
two small, raised blisters :.sually
appear. Where the skin is loose
the Inflammation is apt to be
the worst. Especially is this
true of the eyelids which are
often closed, due to the swell
ing, and so distort the features.
Children contract poison ivy
more frequently than adults
and simply because they climb
fences and trees where the ivy
grows. Adults, however, are
often affected. In one case q
man stumbled and fell and a
splinter of wood from the
poison ivy vine punctured his
skin. The suffering he en-
dured was intense and for a
time, even, his life was in
danger.
Everybody seems to have q
special and infallible remedy
for poison ivy.
In my own experience I have
found carbolated alcohol the
best. Since the poison which
causes the irritation dissolves
in alcohol it stands to reason
that alcohol preparations tend
to wash it off the skin. Another
virtue of the alcohol it's dry
ing qualities. A third ad-
vantage is it's preventive quail
tiles. If ivy poisoning is sus-
pected prompt and thorough
washing of the skin surface
with soap and water, followed
by alcohol, will prove ettlcacl-
GUS.
Internal remedies do no good
although sufferers should take
a cathartic and, in severe cases,
a liquid diet, preferably milk.
When the skin is left raw
the alcohol smarts. Then a
soothing lotion Of lime water
or bicarbonate Of soda should
be applied with cotton and ire
quently. Soothing ointments
may also be used, but as a rule
they are not as satisfactory as
lotions. For the itching the
bicarbonate seems to work best.
What has been said about
the treatment of ivy poisoning,
with the exception of the use
of alcohol, applies also to
chemical and animal 1rritantS.
It is a popular belief that
one dose of ivy poisoning pro
tects the individual against an
other infection. This, however,
is not true. Certain serum in
jections are being used now
adays as a preventive and often
they prove excellent.
DIR. BiSch's Daily Diet Hint
Feeding the convalescent who
has been seriously i'll is often a
great problem especially since
the appetite is usually poor and
must be "teased along" Va
riety, simplicity and attractive
ness of the dishes served are
essentials. Punctuality is also
important since such a patient
so readily loses whatever slight
desire for food he may have
had. Lukewarm food always
should be avoided.
Copyright. 1898. King Features