HIGH TEMPERATURES, HIGH HUMIDITY AND LOTS OF RAINE. THAT’S ONE WAY TO DESCRIBE THIS SUMMER! AND ALL OF THE UNUSUAL WEATHER WE’VE EXPERIENCED HAS LED TO A BUMPER CROP OF POISON IVY AND OTHER RASH-PRODUCING PLANTS, ACCORDING TO SOME ALLERGY SPECIALISTS!THAT’S WHY IT’S MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS WHEN PLANNING OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES. HERE ARE SOME TIPS TO HELP MAKE SURE YOUR END OF SUMMER FUN ISN’T RUINED BY ENDLESS ITCHNG!FIRST, LEARN TO IDENTIFY HIGHLY ALLERGENIC PLANT VINES LIKE POISON IVY, OAK OR SUMAC. ONE EASY RULE TO FOLLOW: LEAVES OF THREE; LET THEM BE.NEXT, WEAR LONG PANTS, LONG SLEEVES AND SOCKS WHEN PICKNICING OR HIKING IN PARKS, FIELDS AND WOODED AREAS.TRY TO KEEP YOUR PETS FROM RUNNING THROUGH THESE AREAS, AS WELL. THE PLANT OILS THAT CAUSE REACTIONS CAN STICK TO THEIR FUR, WHICH YOU MAY THEN TOUCH.ALWAYS WEAR GLOVES WHEN GARDENING OR DOING OTHER YARD WORK.FINALLY, IF YOU DO COME IN CONTACT WITH A SUSPICIOUS PLANT, WASH YOUR SKIN AND CLOTHING AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE WITHIN 30 MINUTES IS BEST. AND MAKE SURE TO SCRUB UNDER YOUR FINGERNAILS SMALL AMOUNTS OF THE OIL CAN REMAIN THERE FOR DAYS UNLESS YOU WASH IT AWAY.I’m Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV with news from today that can lead to healthy tomorrows.

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