Nettle is a plant that is found practically all over the world. It belongs to the category of perennial herbaceous plants, which means that it has typical properties of herbs and grows in the same areas year after year. The leaves and stems of the plant are covered with a fragile, hollow down. When the skin rubs against this stinging hair, it has an action very similar to that of a hypodermic needle. Chemicals flow through these hollow ducts and cause an unpleasant itchy sensation accompanied by a rash. The itching and erythema caused by the plant are painful, but treatable.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Cleaning the Affected Area
Step 1. Avoid touching the area at first
If possible, do not touch or rub the affected area for 10 minutes. Pour cool water onto your skin without touching it. Although the pain can be intense in the first few minutes, avoiding touching or rubbing can prevent the painful sensations from bothering you for days.
- The plant's irritating chemicals can dry on the surface of the skin, and then be washed off with soap and water. By avoiding rubbing or touching at first, the chemicals are not absorbed further by the epidermis (this can cause a longer painful reaction, which sometimes lasts for days).
- Chemicals released by the plant include acetylcholine, histamine, serotonin, moroidine, leukotrienes, and possibly formic acid.
Step 2. Use soap and water
They clean the affected skin parts, remove the chemicals released by the plant that cause pain, swelling, redness and itching. In many cases, once the area is washed, the pain should go away completely or subside significantly.
Step 3. Use a clean cloth
If you don't have soap and water on hand, use a clean cloth to gently wipe away dirt and plant debris from the area until you can wash it more carefully.
Step 4. Apply masking tape
Gently spread strong adhesive tape, such as electrical tape, over the affected area, then tear it off. It can help you remove any fiber residue stuck in the skin.
Step 5. Try a wax-based product designed for hair removal
If the duct tape hasn't gotten rid of all the unwanted plant residue, give it a try.
Apply a layer of wax, let it dry for about 5 minutes, then gently tear it off, also removing plant residues
Part 2 of 3: Remedies to Find Relief
Step 1. Find out what to expect
The itching, burning, pain and irritation are quite intense. The persistence of symptoms varies from person to person and is determined by the initial steps taken to clean the area (as described in the previous section).
The rash is similar to hives, with raised whitish blisters. The entire area may have a swollen and inflamed appearance surrounded by a reddish halo
Step 2. Use leaves from other plants
Applying the liquids contained in the leaves of lapazio or balsam can help you. These plants often grow in the same areas as the nettle. Identify and grind a few leaves to release the liquid. Apply the ground leaves to the affected area.
- There is limited scientific evidence behind the use of plants to treat the ailment. However, for centuries it has been a common practice in order to treat nettle stings.
- The lapazio usually grows in the same areas as the nettle. The plant develops about 60-120 cm in height and the leaves have a length of approximately 40 cm. The leaves are very large, oval and with rounded tips, with a wavy shape on the edges. The lower leaves have a reddish color in the stem area.
- Balsam, also called impatiens, is a plant that grows naturally in the same areas where nettle can be found. The chemical content of the liquid extracted from the leaves and stem of this plant is believed to be effective in counteracting nettle stings.
Step 3. Avoid scratching yourself
The affected areas may be itchy, but try not to scratch. This can further irritate the area, possibly tear the skin and cause symptoms to persist.
If you have a small child, it is best to cover their hands with gloves to prevent them from scratching. Make sure she always has short nails
Step 4. Use cold compresses
Cover the affected area with cold packs to help you find some relief from the itch. Cold temperatures can help reduce redness and at least partially relieve discomfort.
Step 5. Apply a baking soda compound
For this method, all you need is water and baking soda. Make a mixture and apply it to the rash. Use cold water for this. This solution can help you at least partially relieve itching, inflammation and burning sensation.
Apply all treatments by dabbing gently on the area to prevent further irritation
Step 6. Use aloe vera
Apply the liquid extracted from an aloe vera leaf or a prepackaged product with high concentrations of this plant. Using aloe vera can help treat red and inflamed areas, reducing the burning sensation.
Step 7. Avoid hot temperatures
Bathe or shower with fresh water, and avoid applying hot substances to the area. Cold temperatures have a greater soothing effect, help reduce redness and inflammation.
Step 8. Use over-the-counter medications
Topical creams, ointments, and lotions containing hydrocortisone can help reduce redness and stop itching.
- Apply over-the-counter topical medicines containing hydrocortisone to treat a rash. Follow the instructions on the package. An erythema accompanied by redness, itching and inflammation may persist, since the skin has been torn by direct contact with the nettle.
- A calamine-based lotion can relieve, soothe, help reduce itching and burning.
- Over-the-counter oral antihistamines are also useful for counteracting the reaction that takes place in the body. In the pharmacy you can find products based on active ingredients such as cetirizine or loratadine.
- Apply antibiotic creams or ointments. They are over-the-counter products that contain a combination of anti-infective active ingredients. Apply the antibiotic cream or ointment directly to the affected areas. The freshness of the product will have a soothing effect, and the active ingredients in the cream or ointment can help prevent infections.
- You can take NSAIDs for pain relief unless you have no contraindications.
Part 3 of 3: Knowing When to See Your Doctor
Step 1. If allergic symptoms occur, seek immediate medical attention
In rare cases, someone may be allergic to the plant or to one of the chemicals it releases. Allergic reactions can be lethal. You need to get medical attention right away.
Step 2. Recognize an allergic reaction
Symptoms of a reaction can include the following:
- Difficulty in breathing, wheezing or feeling of constriction in the throat.
- Feeling of tightness in the chest that complicates breathing.
- Swelling in the oral cavity, including lips or tongue.
- A skin rash that extends beyond the exposed area and can affect the whole body.
- Having an upset stomach, cramps, or diarrhea can sometimes be symptomatic of an allergic reaction.
Step 3. If you have a young child who has been exposed to nettle, contact a pediatrician
Your doctor will be able to guide you by prescribing topical medications or by suggesting ways to treat the specific symptoms of younger children.
Step 4. If symptoms are severe, see your doctor
If the areas of skin exposed to the plant are large or the symptoms do not subside within 24 hours, contact a doctor. He may prescribe stronger topical medications to treat the exposed areas or more effective oral medications to combat the reaction systemically.
Step 5. See a doctor if the affected areas appear to be infected
If the skin has been scratched and torn, an infection may develop.
If there are parts of torn skin that are hot to the touch or more inflamed than the surrounding areas, an infection may have developed. Your doctor may prescribe a topical antibiotic cream or ointment, or a course of oral antibiotics
Advice
- Try not to scratch the area, as this can make the irritation worse.
- Clean and treat the area immediately. Continue applying the treatments until healing is complete.
- The itchy sensation can last from half an hour to a few days, depending on the sensitivity of the skin.
- If one remedy doesn't work for you, then try another one.
- If symptoms are severe, widespread, change, or worsen, contact a doctor. Do not neglect the valuable help that can be given to you by a specialist, especially if it is a child.
