WHEN DISASTER STRIKES

1 YOU’VE BEEN STOMPING AROUND POISON IVY, OAK, OR SUMAC. THE BEST WAY TO PREVENT A RASH IS TO:

A Rinse your skin with rubbing alcohol.

B Scrub the area with a mix of one part bleach, one part water.

C Wash your skin with soap and water.

ANSWER: A OR C

All three of these plants contain a sticky, invisible oil called urushiol. Getting it off within 30 minutes of exposure will prevent the oil from chemically bonding with your skin, lessening the itchy, oozy misery. Don’t overthink cleanup and turn to bleach: That shouldn’t be used on skin. Soap and water do the trick, as long as the soap contains a degreasing agent, as in dishwashing liquid.

Rubbing alcohol can also remove urushiol, so carry alcohol wipes when camping or hiking if you can’t wash immediately. With either remedy, rinse your skin thoroughly and avoid scrubbing, as this can irritate the skin.

KNOW YOUR LEAVES

Poison Ivy

Poison Oak

Poison Sumac

2 YOUR FRIEND FELL AND NOW HIS ARM OR LEG