Bulletin Insert

“Leaves of Three: Let It Be!”
How will I know if it is poison ivy? First avoid contact. Then learn to identify the different species. Visit http://www.poison-ivy.org/index.htm to see pictures that will help you to identify plants.

What causes the rash? Urushiol, a resin is the culprit. It can be found in all parts of the plant, including the leaves, roots, berries, and stems. Fluid in the blisters will not spread the rash.

What if exposure is unavoidable? Wear long pants, long sleeves, and gloves. Consider using an over-the-counter skin barrier cream containing bentoquatam. Use vinyl not cloth or rubber gloves. Vinyl is resistant to urushiol.

How soon should urishiol be washed off? Washing the skin with soap and water in 20 minutes can reduce or prevent a reaction. After an hour it can no longer be washed off with regular soap and water.

How is it spread? Urushiol can be spread by the hands or other contaminated objects. Wash contaminated objects with soap and water such as clothing, garden tools, and even pet fur as soon as possible.

What are the symptoms of poison ivy? Itching, redness and a blistering rash are common. Moderate cases have open, weeping lesions. Severe cases have extensive, diffuse redness and swelling with large blisters and severe, disabling itching or pain.

Can it lead to other complications? If the rash is spreading, it may be a systemic reaction. If you experience a systemic reaction, infection or difficulty breathing seek immediate medical attention.

Also seek medical attention if: a significant skin surface is involved marked swelling of the face, hands, or genitals occur you have a history of severe dermatitis.

Reference: Boelman, D. J. (2010). Emergency: poison ivy, oak, and sumak.

'What is Severe Sunburn?
Severe sunburn is sunburn that's so bad it makes you feel sick.

How will I know if it is severe? Be alert. It can take 12 to 24 hours for symptoms to appear. Besides skin tenderness, redness and swelling; watch for blisters, a fever, chills, a bad headache or an upset stomach.

Seek medical attention if any of the following occur:
* vomiting	* dizziness
* eye pain	* confusion

Suggestions for severe sunburn:
Follow your health care provider’s advice and:

Stay out of the sun.
Drink plenty of water.
Apply a cool, wet cloth to the
burned area three or four times a day.
Use acetaminophen (Tylenol) as directed.
Don't break any blisters. This might cause infection.
If blisters break on their own, wash the
area with soap and water 2-3 times a day
and lightly cover the area with gauze.
Use a light moisturizer to keep your
skin from drying.
Don't use any other first-aid creams or sprays
unless they are specifically ordered.

Reference: (2009) Patient Education: Severe sunburn, Nursing. 2009, 39 (7), 31.

What is “Ask Me 3?”
“Ask me 3” is a program designed to promote communication between health care providers and patients. The program encourages patients to understand the answers to three questions:

What is my main problem?
What do I need to do?
Why is it important for me to do this?

Who should I ask? Ask any health care providers such as doctors, nurses, pharmacists and therapists.

Why should I ask? Studies show that people who understand health instructions make fewer mistakes taking their medicine or preparing for a medical procedure. You may also use this knowledge to get well sooner or better manage a chronic health condition.

For example: Your doctor says you have high blood pressure. You ask the following questions and get the following answers.

1. What is my main problem? Your main problem is that you had no symptoms and didn’t know the seriousness of you condition. With a blood pressure of 155/95 you have four times the risk of a stroke.

2. What do I need to do? I want you to take this medication every day. I also want you to limit salty foods. I will give you a list of what to avoid. I also want you to work toward walking 30 minutes each day. Losing 10 pounds over the next few months would be very beneficial. All these will help your blood pressure. We will work on this together, but I need your cooperation.

3. Why is it important for me to do this? I am also seeing changes in your kidney function tests. If we don’t get your blood pressure under control soon you may begin to have serious problems with your kidneys.

Understanding all this information can help you take your diagnosis seriously. Knowing details also helps you understand the consequences if you choose not to follow the suggested treatment.

What Should Kids Be Doing This Summer?
What is the job of a child? According to a pediatric nurse practitioner, parents should be “Letting Kids Be Kids.” This means recognizing the fundamental importance of play, innocence, identity and family. If you seemed to be “hurried” this summer, maybe your child feels the same way.

How can I help my child experience “childhood?” Allow them time to grow, explore, and develop in an environment that protects the idealism and innocence of childhood. That means not expecting them to act like adults “prematurely.”

You may want to list some antidotes to “premature adulthood” that you want to try this week with your child or grandchild.

Need some ideas? You may want to read Mary Muscari’s book called Let Kids Be Kids. It contains many practical suggestions on how to provide the three basic needs: survival, social enrichment, and individual enrichment. The ISBN is 1-58966-118-4.

A bonus: Participating in activities with children may even help you realize that adults can also benefit from a periodic return to childhood.

Reference: Scudder, L. (2006). Topics, Advanced Practice Nursing eJournal. (6)4.