RV Camping Prep: Battling Bugs, Sunburns and Poison Ivy

The Good Life Tips and Tricks

You’ve heard these types of stories before- camping trips cut short because one of the campers in your RV was not prepared for the outdoors. From sunburns to bugs and poison ivy, these discomforts will have an impact on how much you enjoy your trip, and you want to be prepared for anything that comes your way while you’re camping. Keeping your RV fully stocked for anything that comes your way while you’re spending time in the great outdoors is important. It’s part of the beauty of camping in your RV. You can bring all of the comforts of home with you wherever you decide to travel.

Poison Ivy

What to do if you have it: Wash the area that was exposed to the oil thoroughly with lots of soap and water with a rag or cloth. Clean or dispose of any clothing or items that would’ve been in contact with the oil too. Use an anti-itch or poison ivy cream if available.

Take precautions:

If you decide to walk around the woods or take a hike around the wooded campsite, you might cross paths with poison ivy. Poison ivy’s oil is very potent and itchy. Once it’s on your skin, you will begin itching, and the itch will only get worse over time. The best thing you can do to protect yourself from poison ivy is to be aware of what the plant looks like- clusters of three-leaved plants- and avoid it. If you’re going hiking in a wooded area where you think poison ivy might be present, make sure you cover up your legs and feet with proper clothing, and wash them once you are done.

Sunburn

What to do if you have it: Place cold compresses on your skin, use moisturizer like aloe vera to soothe the burn, drink extra water, and leave any blisters alone.

Take precautions:

You’ve probably heard this before, but it is sound advice: if you’re going to be outside for more than half an hour, put some sunscreen on. Preferably, a lotion that is SPF 30 or more. This may seem like common sense, but sunburns can be very serious and it’s important to take proper precautions to avoid any damage to your skin. Severe sunburns can give you blisters and even make you feel sick- that’s the last thing you want to deal with while you’re on your camping trip. So wear sunscreen and reapply it every two hours. It’s also a great idea to wear wide brimmed hats and sunglasses to keep your skin out of the sunlight altogether.

Leeches/ Ticks

What to do if you have it: For leeches, simply locate the head and sucker, and then slide your fingernail under it to release from your skin.  To remove ticks, apply steady pressure with a tweezer and pull it out.

Take precautions:

Leeches and ticks can be found all over the country. If you are swimming in lakes or going hiking, make sure to check your hair and skin for any unwelcomed visitors at the end of the day. Once you’ve removed a tick or leech, be sure to properly disinfect the open wound to avoid infection.

With proper precautions and preparation, you can be ready to treat most problems that will come your way while you’re camping. Make sure you keep a first aid kit in your RV, stocked with the basics.