Health and WellnessROTC Edition

2017

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Your take home guide and tips To health and wellness

Produced by MEDCOM From your colleagues in the IGR.

One of MEDCOM’s missions is to promote the health and wellness of IGR soldiers.

This can only be accomplished by a partnership spirit of cooperation. MEDCOM wants

only the best for IGR soldiers and in an effort to promote health and wellness we have

produced this booklet for you to take home. Please refer to it and follow its advice. It

contains our take on current health tips and what you should look out for during the

year in drills and at Atterbury. Our commitment to your health and wellbeing is

paramount, it is our mission.

Below are some tips for our IGR soldiers who have volunteered to help out at ROTC.

Camp Atterbury can be a source of poisonous plants and snakes so care is paramount in avoiding these toxins.

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Summer tips for keeping well!

Drink plenty of water! Remember……..Hydration! hydration! hydration!

It cleanses the body, improves circulation, and fuels the muscles. Water also helps to

relieve tension, replenish body tissue, and keep the skin moist and clear.

Drink water often when you’re active enough to work up a sweat.

Remember that everybody needs at least 6 – 8 glasses a day.

Avoiding Poison Plants

Common Indiana Poisons: Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac: √ Most common allergy in the United States claiming half the population

√ Sensitivity to urushiol oil can develop at any time √ Solutions or cures are those that annihilate urushiol oil √ Everyone appears to react slightly different to all the remedies

A master of disguise, poison ivy can take the form of a vine, shrub or ground cover. It can have shiny leaves or dull leaves. The leaf edges can be smooth or notched. So how can you spot poison ivy? The phrase "Leaves of three, let it be" is a pretty good rule of thumb. Whether hiking in the woods or playing in a field, beware of any plant with three leaflets.

Fact vs. Myths: MYTH FACT

Poison Ivy rash is contagious Rubbing the rashes won’t spread poison ivy to other parts of your body (or to another person). You spread the rash only if urushiol oil (the sticky, resin like substance that causes the rash) has been left on your hands

You can catch poison ivy simply by being near the plants

Direct contact is needed to release urushiol oil. Stay away from firest fires, direct burning, or anything else that can cause the oil to become airborne, such as a lawnmower, trimmer, etc.

Leaves of three, let them be True! Poison sumac has 7-13 leaves on a branch, although poison ivy and oak have 3 leaves per cluster.

Do not worry about dead plants Wrong! Urushiol oil stays active on any surface, including dead plants, for up to 5 years

Breaking the blisters releases urushiol oil that can spread

Not True! But your wounds can become infected and you may make the scarring worse. In very extreme cases, excessive fluid may need to be withdrawn by a physician.

I’ve been in poison ivy many times and never broken out. I’m immune.

Not necessarily true. Upwards of 90% of people are allergic to urushiol oil, it’s a matter of time and exposure. The more times you are exposed to urushiol, the more likely it is that you will break out with an allergic rash.

What Are the Treatments for Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac?

First, if you think you have been exposed to poison ivy, oak, or sumac, wash all exposed areas thoroughly. If you can do this within 10 minutes of contact, many

times you may avoid an allergic reaction. Urushiol begins to stick within minutes. If

there’s no water, rubbing alcohol or alcohol wipes can remove it. Also, wash

everything that may have the urushiol oil on its surface.

Body heat and sweating can aggravate the itching. Stay cool and apply cool compresses to your skin.

Calamine lotion and hydrocortisone cream can be applied to the skin to reduce itching and blistering

Bathing in lukewarm water with an oatmeal bath product (Available in Drug Stores) may sooth itchy skin.

Antihistamines may be helpful

A physician may recommend steroids

Call a member of MEDCOM if you feel you maybe getting short of breath

Poisonous Snakes in Indiana

Eastern Massasauga:

The Eastern Massasauga is a sit and wait variation of the rattlesnake. The color patterns are known to be varied. The Water Snake, Eastern Hognose Snake, Milk Snake can be confused with the Eastern Massasauga. Each of these snakes have pointed tails unlike the rattles of the Eastern Massasauga.

Northern Copperhead:

The copperhead is a moderately sized, venomous snake ranges from 2-4 feet. In length. The markings to be noted are the reddish-brown head, and hour glass markings on the body. They are sometimes confused with water snakes, but Copperheads to not stay around water.

Timber Rattlesnake:

The rattlesnake is characterized by the rattle on the tail like the Eastern Massasauga.

The bands are continuous around the snake unlike the Eastern Massasauga.

The color variation is very common. Below are some images in color differentiation.

MEDICAL COMMAND STAFF

for comments and other suggestions

please e mail Julian.ungar@igr.in.gov

editor