Natural cures for diabetes and poison sumac

Most people face skin irritation problems at some point or the other, regardless of their age, gender and location. There are several factors that lead to skin irritation, such as humidity, sunburn, allergies, parasites, pet hair, certain medication, clothing material and skin care products that contain harsh chemicals. In order to alleviate this condition there are options for skin irritation treatment, that include the use of antibiotics as well as topically applied medicated creams and ointments. While there are some people who opt for such irritated skin treatments, a majority of people prefer using home remedies for skin irritation, as they are believed to be safer. Even people who are diabetic can use the natural skin rash remedies mentioned below, but only after checking with a doctor. Some of the home remedies for skin irritation are:

• Oatmeal and Evaporated Milk: Use a mixture of oatmeal and milk to treat several skin conditions, like eczema, poison sumac, psoriasis and skin inflammation, just to name a few. People suffering from skin irritation should soak their bodies in a tub of lukewarm water, to which eight ounces of evaporated milk and a cup of natural oatmeal have been added. After soaking in the tub for half an hour, the skin should be rinsed off using cool water.
• Burdock Root Oil: This natural remedy can be bought from many stores that specialize in alternate medicine, or from health food stores. When applied to itchy and irritated skin, burdock root oil can help in reducing the severity of the rash.
• Aloe Vera Gel & Cornstarch: Combine Aloe Vera gel and cornstarch together and apply the paste on those areas of the skin that are red, inflamed and itchy. Aloe Vera gel has been known to reduce inflammation and irritation of the skin, especially in case of excessive exposure to the sun or minor burns. Cornstarch has been used to relieve itchiness for years. After mixing three parts of Aloe Vera gel with one part of cornstarch, apply the mixture on the skin and leave it on for at least half an hour, before washing it off with cool water. Do not dry your skin vigorously. Instead pat your skin dry with a towel.
• Lemon Juice & Vitamin E Oil: A mixture of lemon juice and Vitamin E oil is often used for skin irritation treatment, since it gets rid of bacterial buildup, irritation and inflammation. Mix six tablespoons of vitamin E oil, with two tablespoons of lemon juice and apply it on to the affected area. Leave it on for at least fifteen minutes, before washing it off with cool water.

Besides these home remedies for skin irritation a person could also consult a skin expert for the same. While most of the home remedies for skin irritation mentioned above are believed to be relative safe even for diabetics, it is best to consult a doctor, before using them.

answered by M W

Like most of the other plants and shrubs that irritate the skin on contact (of which the most well known is probably poison ivy) poison sumac contains an oily substance known as urushiol. It is this substance that causes the combination of symptoms that are known as urushiol induced contact dermatitis - itching, burning, inflammation, and oozing of the skin.

Cortisone (specifically hydrocortisone) is used to treat the symptoms of urushiol induced contact dermatitis, as it relieves inflammation. It does tend to have some side effects, one of which is that it increases blood sugar levels. However, this does not necessarily mean that cortisone use is completely ruled out for people suffering from diabetes. If you are prescribed cortisone by your doctor and he or she is fully aware that you have diabetes, you should be safe. Your doctor will of course need to monitor your blood sugar levels very closely, and adjust the dosage of your diabetes medication if necessary, and possibly the dosage of hydrocortisone as well. This should be done not only just after you have a dose of cortisone, but for several weeks later. It is extremely important to ensure that this is not neglected, and you should certainly not take cortisone on your own, without medical supervision.

Cortisone is however only one of the drugs that are used to treat urushiol induced contact dermatitis. Usually, treatment also involves the use of antihistamines, to reduce the allergic reaction to the urushiol. If your doctor decides that cortisone is not safe for you, he or she may decide to limit your treatment to antihistamines.

In many cases, medical treatment is not even needed for urushiol induced contact dermatitis. If your symptoms are very strong, you should certainly visit a doctor, but if they are mild, they will not last long and you will be able to handle them with some simple home remedies. A cold compress is possibly the most effective against the itching and burning caused by urushiol. Ideally, you should wrap a couple of cubes of ice in a soft, clean cloth, and gently press this package against the affected areas of your body. Calamine lotion is sometimes recommended, although it is not clear whether it works or not - however, there is no harm in trying it out. Note that these remedies will not get rid of the symptoms, but they will lessen their severity until the allergic reaction is over.

answered by G M