Hacks for Eczema, Bug Bites, Etc.

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Specializes in School Nursing/Med-Surg.

I was wondering if anyone has any nursing "hacks" to deal with things like eczema, bug bites, etc. I think its ridiculous that I am not allowed to have petroleum jelly or lotion in the clinic (not even with a verbal consent, it needs a WRITTEN PRESCRIPTION filled out by a physician). Is anyone else's school like this? 

One of my students came in with some mild eczema today. She no longer uses any medication for it, just basic lotion at home. The best I could do was a cool compress to at least relieve the itchiness. When I did camp nursing we were not allowed to even give out prune juice for constipation. I had to get very creative. I have done toothpaste and baking soda for bug bites... because for some reason I can give that but not aloevera??? I think it is silly but, oh well.  

I would love to hear some of your magical tips and tricks. 

Also, just throwing it out there, I am so thankful for this website. As a new school nurse, this has been so extremely useful. 

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

you're in a tough position.  I think most of us here can use some very basic products in rendering care.  I did add petroleum jelly to the list that I have the school md sign off on.  I did not get the same sign off on triple antibiotic or hydrocortisone.  If I have a kid come in with a bug bite, I usually have them wash the area with soap and water or will occasionally give them an alcohol prep.  much of what we do is provide the smoke and mirrors to get the kids back to class... well, before COVID that was true anyhow... Now, I don't even want to see something as trivial as a bug bite.  

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Specializes in school nursing.

Ice works on my students with eczema! It calms it enough that they don't focus on the itching constantly. May also work for bug bites.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Had an old-timey attending MD in my NH/LTC. He used to order 'oatmeal' for anything skin. Like as in compresses or soaks or dips. We staff always knew what he'd order - no brainer, but IT WORKED!!! Took out itching & stinging! Worked on mild sunburn, too.

Maybe a little spoon or dab of colloidal oatmeal paste applied would work. Colloidal oatmeal is a recognized derm tx. It's a ground-up oatmeal and there's recipes on the Web. And it is already sold commercially OTC.

 

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Specializes in pediatrics, school nursing.

https://www.bugbitething.com/ for true mosquito bites; I use one myself and it doesn't take the itch away immediately, but it does completely eliminate the itching and swelling within an hour.

I also tell kids about using their fingernail to "press" an X into the bug bite. I don't know why this works, may be psycho-somatic, but I think it just gives them something they can do in class. 

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Specializes in retired LTC.
4 hours ago, k1p1ssk said:

I also tell kids about using their fingernail to "press" an X into the bug bite. I don't know why this works, may be psycho-somatic, but I think it just gives them something they can do in class. 

My Mom used have us kids put SPIT, yes spit, on our bug bites or scratches. You'd put some spit on your fingertip, then put it on the offending spot. Don't know why, but it worked!! Maybe it WAS the power of suggestion.

If I remember correctly from my looooong ago college Chemistry classes, spit/saliva contains salivary amylase. It aids early carbohydrate breakdown (or acts like a meat tenderizer). Whatever, it worked!

 

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Specializes in School Nursing/Med-Surg.
On 11/28/2020 at 4:28 PM, amoLucia said:

Had an old-timey attending MD in my NH/LTC. He used to order 'oatmeal' for anything skin. Like as in compresses or soaks or dips. We staff always knew what he'd order - no brainer, but IT WORKED! Took out itching & stinging! Worked on mild sunburn, too.

Woah, that's pretty cool.

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Specializes in School Nursing/Med-Surg.
On 11/30/2020 at 11:27 AM, k1p1ssk said:

I also tell kids about using their fingernail to "press" an X into the bug bite. I don't know why this works, may be psycho-somatic, but I think it just gives them something they can do in class. 

That's a good idea!

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We use this for bug bites or stings. 

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Specializes in school nurse.

Sorry about the silly limits on what you can use.

I keep some Eucerin cream and use it for some of the kiddos with flare-ups. Mind you, I'd love to have an RX from their doctor to use, but I'm lucky if I can get inhalers for asthmatics. (Skin care seems far off the priorities list.)

My thinking is that I don't need an order for them to use my hand lotion, so...

 

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