Fact Checked
Stinging nettle rash happens with direct contact with stinging nettles. They are rich herbal properties. Generally, the leaves and stems are coated with hair that are silky, brittle, and hollow and contains 3 chemicals, histamine as a skin irritant, acetylcholine which causes burning sensations and serotonin. Direct contact with the plant or just brushing against it can immediately result to rashes.
Symptoms of stinging nettle rash
- At first, development of raised swellings or hives that are light in color and the skin around the hives are red.
- Itchiness of the rash
- Difficulty with breathing
- Wheezing
- Stomach cramps
- Diarrhea
- Tightness of the chest or throat
Development of raised swellings or hives that are light in color and the skin around the hives are red. - Swelling mouth, tongue or lips
- Vomiting
- Lastly, rashes in some areas of the body that have not come in direct contact with the nettles.
Treatment
- Avoid touching the rash for the first 10 minutes after the sting, to let chemicals dry on the surface of the skin and for easy removal. Avoid rubbing the area to prevent pushing of chemicals deeper into the skin and cause further irritations and worsen the condition.
- After 10 minutes wash the area using soap and water to wash off chemicals from the skin to lessen the pain, the swelling and the itchiness. Another alternative if water and soap is not available, a clean cloth can be used to clean the area.
- Gently apply a strong tape such as duct tape to the affected area and then remove the tape. This process removes fibers of the plant that is still lodged in the skin. Another alternative is using a wax hair remover. Apply a layer of the wax on the area, let it dry for at least 5 minutes and then peel off the wax and taking debris of plant with it
- Apply cool compresses on the affected area to lessen the stinging sensations, the redness and the pain. Wrap frozen gel pack in a towel before placing to the area to prevent ice burn and delay the healing. Another alternative is putting ice in a plastic bag and used as a compress is good for the condition.
- Avoid heat on the affected area.
- Avoid scratching the area to prevent further irritations and development of infections.
- Apply fresh aloe Vera gel on the area to lessen the pain and the itchiness. Generally, open a fresh leaf of an aloe Vera, scrape the juice from the leaf and apply it directly on the affected area.
- Make a paste by mixing baking soda and a few drops of water. Mix them well until it becomes the consistency of a paste. Dab the paste on the area, avoid rubbing. Baking soda.
Consulting a doctor
The following are also suggested by the doctor:
- Topical creams, ointments and lotion to lessen the itching and the redness.
- Prescribed oral histamines to relieve of the itchiness and the pain.
- Prescribed anti-inflammatory medications to lessen the pain and the inflammations.
FACT CHECK
http://www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk/encyclopaedia/n/article/nettlerash/
https://www.healthline.com/health/stinging-nettle-rash
https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-a-Sting-from-a-Stinging-Nettle