204 Where There Is No Doctor 2011
PLANTS AND OTHER THINGS THAT CAUSE ITCHING
OR BURNING OF THE SKIN
Nettles, ‘stinging trees’, sumac, ‘poison ivy’, and
many other plants may cause blisters, burns, or
hives with itching when they touch the skin. Juices
or hairs of certain caterpillars and other insects
produce similar reactions.
In allergic persons rashes or ‘weeping’ sore
patches may be caused by certain things that
touch or are put on the skin, Rubber shoes,
watchbands, ear drops and other medicines, face
creams, perfumes, or soaps may cause such
problems.
Treatment:
All these irritations go away by themselves when the things that cause them no
longer touch the skin. A paste of oatmeal and cool water helps calm the itching. Aspirin
or antihistamines (p. 385) may also help. In severe cases, you can use a cream that
contains cortisone or a cortico-steroid (see p. 370) To prevent infection, keep the
irritated areas clean.
SHINGLES (HERPES ZOSTER)
Signs:
A line or patch of painful blisters that suddenly
appears on one side of the body is probably
shingles. It is most common on the back,
chest, neck, or face. The blisters usually last
2 or 3 weeks, then go away by themselves.
Sometimes the pain continues or returns long
after the blisters are gone.
Shingles is caused by the virus that causes
chickenpox and usually affects persons who
have had chickenpox before. It is not dangerous,
but it can be painful. It is sometimes the first sign
of some other more serious problem—perhaps
cancer or HIV infection (see p. 399).
Treatment:
♦ Put light bandages over the rash so that clothes do not rub against it.
♦ Take aspirin for the pain. Acyclovir can help keep herpes blisters from spreading
(see p. 373). Antibiotics do not help.