Myths of Poison Ivy

1.  Poison Ivy is Contagious - Poison ivy is not contagious - you must come into contact with the oil (urushiol) to develope the rash.

2. You can spread poison ivy by the open blisters on your skin to other parts of your body.   This is not true as well - once you have washed the oil off you will no longer spread it on yourself.  Likely, it seems to spread because the areas which have lesser amount of the urushiol exposure will react less intensely and may take longer to appear.

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With all the rain, we are experiencing a bumper crop of this nasty three-leafed menace. Once you have developed a reaction to poison ivy, often the subsequent exposures bring on a more rapid and more intense reaction.  

These suggestions may help you avoid a rash from these irritating plants:       

• Identify poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac. Learn what the plants and leaves look like and where they're commonly found so that you can avoid them.  
• Take precautions outdoors. When hiking or engaging in other activities that might expose you to poison ivy, try to stay on cleared pathways. If camping, make sure you pitch your tent in an area free of poisonous plants. Keep pets from running through wooded areas so that urushiol (the oil that creates the reaction) doesn't accidentally stick to their fur, which you then may touch. If you think your pet may have run through poison ivy, oak or sumac, put on some long rubber gloves and give your pet a bath to remove any residual urushiol.
•  Remove poison ivy. In your backyard, you can use an herbicide to get rid of poison ivy or use heavy gloves to carefully pull it out of the ground. Note that even dead plants can cause a reaction. Afterward, remove and wash your gloves and hands thoroughly. Don't burn poison ivy or related plants because the urushiol can be carried by the smoke and cause irritation or injury.                          
• Clean anything that may be contaminated. Wearing long pants, socks, shoes and gloves will help protect your skin, but be sure to wash your clothing promptly with detergent - in a washing machine, if possible - if you think you've come into contact with poison ivy. Handle contaminated clothes carefully so that you don't transfer the urushiol to furniture, rugs or appliances. In addition, wash any other contaminated items, such as outdoor gear, garden tools, jewelry, shoes and even shoelaces, as soon as possible. If you must wait to wash any contaminated items, seal them up in a plastic bag or container to avoid contamination of other items. Dry cleaning also will get rid of urushiol, but be sure to let your dry cleaner know that the item may have been exposed to poison ivy.
• Wash your skin with soap and water. Gently washing off the harmful resin from your skin, using any type of soak, within five to 10 minutes after exposure may help avert a reaction. After an hour or so, however, the urushiol has usually penetrated the skin and washing won't necessarily prevent a reaction, but it may help reduce its severity. Be sure to wash under your fingernails too.
• Apply a barrier cream. Apply an over-the-counter barrier skin cream containing bentoquatam (Ivy Block) to protect your skin. Bentoquatam absorbs urushiol and prevents or lessens your skin's reaction to the oil.   It works best when it is applied and allowed to dry 15 -20 minutes prior to exposure and reapplied every 4 hours while exposure continues.  It will often leave a whitish film to the skin - that is how you know you have created an effective barrier.  When you come in wash it off with soap and water.

Unfortunately many of us don't know when we are exposed and these prevention techniques can't be used.  If you have a mild case over the counter hydrocortisone and benadryl for the itch is all that is needed.  If it is more widespread, especially if it is on the face or the genitals, or if there is question of infection you may need to see one of our providers in order to treat the reaction and/or infection appropriately. 

Just because cold season is over, don't feel you are out of the woods with ear pain.  With the heat, humidity, pools, lakes and the ocean comes swimmer's ear- a very painful summer time condition.  Swimmer's ear is an infection often caused by bacteria being carried into the outer ear canal.  Symptom's include redness, swelling, itching, drainage and pain (as opposed to middle ear infections - swimmer's ear leads to a very painful outer ear - your child may complain when you brush their hair or they lay on their pillow). 

The following are some helpful tips for the prevention of swimmer's ear:

• Use a bathing cap or custom fitted ear molds when swimming.
• Dry your ears thoroughly after swimming and showering.
• Use a towel to dry your ears well. 
• Tilt your head and hold each ear facing down to allow water to escape the ear canal.
• Pull your earlobe in different directions while the ear is faced down to help water drain out.
• Don't put objects, including q-tips, pencils, paperclips or fingers, in the ear canal.
• Don't remove ear wax.  It helps protect your ear canal from infection.  If you think the ear canal is blocked by wax, consult your provider rather than trying to remove it yourself.
• During swim season consider using drops to prevent swimmer's ear.  This is easily made by making A 1:1 SOLUTION OF WHITE VINEGAR AND RUBBING ALCOHOL and then using 3-4 DROPS IN EACH EAR NIGHTLY AFTER SWIMMING. These drops should not be used by people with ear tubes, damaged ear drums, or current outer ear infection.

Over the past month or so, some of the ingredients in commonly used sunscreens have been put into question.  Two in particular, retinyl palmitate and oxybenzone have been brought up as potentially cancer-causing chemicals.  The data for these claims at this point is minimal, compared to clear-cut data that shows that sunscreen does help in the prevention of melanoma and other skin cancers. 

The Skin Cancer Foundation released the following information in regards to claims about these two ingredients:

Recently,in the news, you have heard about a "new" screening test for autism in 1 year olds.  We are proud to let you know that we have been utilizing the CSBS (Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scale) for well over 6 months now.  We know that early identification and intervention of children with autism will lead to better outcomes.

 As with any screening tool, there will be false positives and false negatives - which occasionally lead to parental worry and/or frustration.  We will do our best to make sure children with concerning screens be evaluated early and thoroughly as necessary.  We will also continue to do follow up screening with the MCHAT (Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers) at 18 and 24 months of age. 

The impact of the student's move to college on parents

Moving on to college represents a significant step towards adulthood. Whether the student lives at home or goes away to attend college, the move represents an emotional separation for both parents and child. For most, the end of high school marks the symbolic end of childhood. This phase of life, especially when the student moves from home, is often referred to as "the empty nest." Many parents talk enthusiastically about the changes - they feel less constrained, have more free time and no longer endure loud music or competition for the phone, computer or car. But a sense of loss is apparent in comments such as, "It's so quiet around here" or, "I can't believe how much less I spend on groceries."

Challenges for parents

Feeling a void

Feelings of emptiness characterize this stage of separation - there is vacant time and cleaned-out rooms. Parents may feel unprepared or uncomfortable without their roles as primary caretaker and protector. Parenting is a tough business and a double-edged sword; successful parenting requires devoting one's life to a totally dependent being to ensure a safe, independent departure into the world - leaving parents behind. Joy may be mixed with longing as the young adult takes flight from home base.

Feeling left out

Adjusting to being on the outside can be difficult when parents are no longer needed in the same ways. Even though students may have been somewhat independent while still under their care, supervision and roof, once in college parents are less privy to every aspect of their child's life; they no longer know the details of their son's or daughter's whereabouts and are not able to pass judgment on all their friends.

Relinquishing control

It is necessary to give up some parental control. Whether it's giving advice about selecting courses or drinking, parents have to come to realize that young adults must make their own decisions. Relationships grow and change as children grow and change.

What parents can do

• Redirect time and energy previously focused on the child. Taking stock of personal interests and assets will reveal areas of life that may have been neglected. It can be time to develop, reawaken and pursue old and new hobbies, leisure activities and careers
• Ideally, discussions about values, which have occurred throughout the child's life, serve as a foundation. Before the send-off however, it is useful to re-discuss specific issues, since college students are usually confronted with situations involving sex, drugs and alcohol.
• Address individual needs. Parents should investigate and inquire about available resources. Arranging for necessary services for a student with a learning disability, mental illness or physical condition should be done preventively. College staff are specially trained to work with students of this age and these specialists should be identified prior to arrival.
• In the event of a crisis, it is preferable to support the student's own coping and problem-solving abilities rather than to rush in as savior, however difficult it is to hear cries of distress. Crises described from afar often sound worse than they are and can often change dramatically in the course of a few minutes or days. Parents, however, know their child best and must assess when their child needs their more direct help.
• Guide rather than pressure. Communicating educational goals and expectations should be done in a manner respectful of the student's own style and interests. College students need to pursue their own passions. Although parental input can be useful, children should not be expected to live out their parents' dreams.  College should be a time of self-discovery, even if the process is marked by some fits and starts.
• Plan ahead. In addition to all the details of hauling stuff off to campus and buying just the right desk lamp, deciding about such things as checking accounts, phone cards and spending money before hitting the road is useful.
• Determine appropriate expectations and guidelines and be explicit. Parents should anticipate future events and discuss issues such as curfews, financial contributions and roommate arrangements with romantic partners directly with the young adult. If parents expect or want a weekly phone call, they must say so. If parents and students want to spend a particular holiday together, they should plan ahead.
• Allow for mistakes. Parents must encourage and accept the child's ability to make independent decisions. Both the college student and the parents must realize mistakes will be made along the way - it's called life experience. Learning from mistakes is another type of learning.

The impact of college on the student

College provides a time of socially recognized independence from parental rules and restrictions. Although the legal age of adulthood varies for such things as voting and drinking, going to college is an obvious sanctioned move towards independence. However, independence is not conferred automatically at a certain age or in a specific place. It is achieved by practicing how to think for oneself and take responsibility for one's actions. College students can feel invincible and able to take risks. But both the opportunities and the consequences can be high. The college freshman will be confronted with abundant pressures related to social situations - sex, drugs and alcohol. With respect to academics, students today are feeling increasing pressure to know what they want to do, pick a career path and plan for their futures. This pressure is causing unfortunate substance abuse, anxiety and even depression.

Challenges for the college student

Fitting in

It can be daunting to leave the security of family and friends. When going to college, students often must leave, or give up, one group (of family and friends) then accommodate and learn about a new group. It can be stressful to analyze new social norms, learn a new set of behaviors, and consider adopting a particular identity and group affiliation. The opportunities can be exhilarating, but the choices should not be made hastily.

Balancing socializing and working

College offers an assortment of opportunities for advancement and distraction - there are so many potential friends, parties, courses, things to do and places to go. Not knowing what direction is best and not wanting to miss out on anything, students often try to be included in everything.

Knowing when help is needed

Students often doubt their ability to handle their course work and may be bothered by new and unexpected feelings, precipitating a downward spiral. There is also an increased risk of certain disorders in the teen and young adult years (e.g. depression, manic depressive illness and anorexia). Students may find themselves seeking out a mental health professional for the first time. The right help at the right time can prevent problems from snowballing.

What the college student can do

• Explore new interests, discover new place, and meet new people. These experiences contribute to college life, but getting an education should remain the student's foremost purpose.
• Before committing to any one group or trend, students should take their time getting to know other students, investigating different activities and deciding what makes them feel most comfortable. Affiliations change a great deal over the course of the first year as students become more knowledgeable and confident.
• Participate and prioritize. No one can do everything. When students narrow their focus they often feel less overwhelmed. Finding a passion is one of the most exciting aspects of the college experience.
• Personalize the experience. It's easy for students to feel lost in the crowd. Students who take responsibility for their education by seeking out particular adults often have the best experience. Getting to know professors will personalize college and help the student feel connected to an institution that may seem impersonal.
• Be patient. It takes time to understand the rhythm of a new academic life and for students to develop a personal learning/studying style. Over the first semester it becomes easier to understand the flow of work and realize how to accommodate different teachers' standards and course requirements.
• Evaluate the fit. Assessing how expectations meet reality during the first year is a necessary process. Some disappointment or surprises are not unusual and may require some fine tuning, such as adjusting one's course load, changing majors and/or rethinking involvement in activities. Sometimes a school turns out to be different from what was anticipated or students learn more about what will truly suit their needs. Students should get guidance and explore options and certainly consider changing schools if that's what seems best.
• Never ignore a problem. Both academic and emotional challenges are most successfully managed early when small.
• Know where to turn for help. Almost all institutions of higher learning provide a school counseling and/or wellness center where students can seek confidential guidance and advice from a variety of sources. Ask about the services that are offered and make use of them. Sometimes simply talking about a problem can make it more manageable, especially if the conversation is with an individual who is removed from the situation - be it a college counselor, academic advisor, religious counselor or clergy member, team coach, primary care practitioner, resident advisor, house master, sorority mom, etc.  

Advice for both parents and students

Expect ups and downs.

One minute college students are the models of independence, the next they call in tears. Parents may also try too hard to advise from afar. This back and forth is natural and expected, as both students and parents become more comfortable and confident in the ability of students to handle situations on their own.

Stay connected.

Little things do count. There can be some truth to "absence makes the heart grow fonder," but parents may worry that "out of sight means out of mind." So parents and students need to determine ways to stay involved in each other's lives and remember to say and do the little things that remind someone of their love. Cards sent home, care packages sent to school, pictures of events that were missed, and e-mail provide a way to stay connected and involved.