Use Your StucIent HeaItM Center
ASK
DR. WELLNESS
Dear Dr. Wellness,
I like to |o hiking and a few weeka ago
after hiking a few hills on the weekend, I think
I case down with a case of poison oak rash. The
ltchlng and pain have finally gone but I'd like
to know what to do If I should get it again.
A: The best prevention Is of course avoiding
contact with the poison oak plant. However, if
you unfortunately do get the oil of the plant on
your skin, wash your akin with tepid water and
strong laundry soap as soon as possible after
exposure.
Also wash all clothes worn at the t lsie of
exposure as clothes which are contaminated with
the plant oil will cause rash not only In you
but in others.
Skin rash usually appears anytime up to 3
to A days after contact with the plant. Pimples
and blisters which Itch greatly break out, con
tinuing to show greater aamints of lesion up to
7-10 days after exposure, then gradually les
sening and drying up by the 14th to 70th day.
Keeping cool with cold compresses, solutions
such as calamine lotion or ointments help de
crease the Itching and scratching. This Is Im
portant as scratching Increases the Involved
areas and risk of Infection.
You can alao control the Itching by using
antihistamines and steroid lotions which pre
vent Inflammation. Weaker doses such as Beni
drll (antihistamine) and Hydrocortisone (.SI
steroid lotion) are available as over-the
counter medication at the Student Health Cen
ter Phamacy.
A Herpes Education/Support Croup arrl
every Wednesday evening at 7 pm In Centur
Conference Room In the EMU. The group is
facilitated by Carolyn Pursley, a graduate
student in counseling. There is no fee to
attend and everyone, from herpes sufferer
friends and Interested parties are welcome
For further Information, call the
Lifestyle Planning Program at .
I
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iout Stud cm Health (enter - sponsor ut
■tell Mow - offers health and aedlcal rare
■ervlce* to all fully registered student, at
the University of Oregon. u. encourage you to
ut litre our services and save yourself < or
rour parents) lots of money ,m your health
in- ni*«*<Js.
Ur ire open evenings and weekends till
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ftir Hour, of Service
iteijular Clint. Hours <M-F) 8:00a.•.
■aturd.iy Clinic Hours 8:00a.■.
Urgent Care Clinic Hours 800. .
<M - Sat)
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Published Monthly
lOtIOIIS: Amy
Cor ol Bodnar
STUDENT HEALTH CENTEK
University o( Oregon
Eugene, OIL *17403
1-503- 68b-4-1 <11