Halfway through the clearing, I knew it was too late. My low cut 'running' socks offered little protection against the weeds grabbing at my ankles. Even though I showered when I got home, I would pay for my short cut back from the Coralville Reservoir. The next day, the itching began. By the second day, the telltale blemishes and blisters appeared.

Poison ivy? There might have been some in there. It could have been wild parsnip or some other plant that seems to pick on me whenever I offer up exposed skin. Whatever the culprit, I had dropped my guard. And with the 4th of July weekend upon us, I'm betting lots of you will join me with a rash, bite, sting, burn or blisters brought on by outdoor Iowa's 'summer maladies.'

Though mosquitoes and ticks have shouldered a big share of the load with the very real threat of West Nile virus and Lyme's disease in the last few years, poison ivy clobbers the competition in terms of sheer numbers. One Internet source cites 25 to 40 million of us who require medical attention. Another claims 85 percent of Americans are susceptible. The old summer camp refrain, 'leaves of three, let it be' is easy to remember: hard to follow.

The irritating chemical, 'urushiol,' can be found in the sap, in leaves, stems, vines--any part of the plant. You don't even have to touch it. Pet the dog or put on clothes that had contact...or just stand downwind as some one burns the stuff...and you might break out. I've had all three 'get' me. Once exposed, though, wash it off! Rinsing the area gives the urushiol less time and less skin to do its stuff. By the time the rash shows up, usually within a day, it is too late. By that time, you won't spread it by scratching and then touching another part of your body. Nor will the disgusting ooze from the resulting blisters spread it. That spread comes, though, as skin with less or later contact during the original exposure develops the telltale rash. The urushiol might be under fingernails, on tools you were holding or clothes worn during exposure. It can remain 'active' for a year or more, depending on conditions.

Treatments vary from over the counter creams and topical anti-inflammatory products to prescription lotions and oral products for more severe cases. Increased attention to 'The Itch' has spawned a variety of conventional and homeopathic treatments; ranging from treated towelettes to jewelweed soap. Just typing in 'poison ivy' yielded 44 Internet websites. (As always, be careful online. One site offered the 1992 Drew Barrymore movie of the same name.)

I've found the best 'treatment' is prevention. Having gotten poison ivy in every month of the year by the time I was 13 or so, I finally try to avoid the 'leaves of three.' I also start swallowing medication in March and continue through the summer. And my breakouts have been minimal; compared to my most recent severe case; a few years ago (another short cut taken), when my shins and swollen ankles resembled raw meat more than functioning limbs, convinced me that I needed to take better care of my epidermis.

Maybe you are one of the lucky ones who don't react to contact with the offending weeds. There are still ticks, mosquitoes and all sorts of hungry insects lying in wait; ready to make you pay for your outdoor fun. "Mosquitoes are attracted to scent; to carbon dioxide," explains Sarah Brend, epidemiologist with the Iowa Department of Health. "When humans breathe, they exhale carbon dioxide." Brend sees a typical year for mosquitoes, thus far. She also notes this week's heavy rains across the state will spell increased 'habitat' for hatching mosquitoes in the coming days. To avoid them? "Wear a repellent with 'deet.' That's your best protection," advises Brend. "Also, remember that dusk and dawn are prime mosquito hours."

In recent years, of course, the threat of West Nile Virus has raised mosquitoes from nuisance to threat. In 2004, 23 cases were reported in Iowa. This year, Brend says there have been no cases reported. "It's still early, though," she cautions. "The peak is about the second week in September for disease-carrying mosquitoes."

Ticks, too, cause concern. Your best bet to avoid the hard-shelled little crawlers is to check yourself (and pets) after walks through tall grass or wooded areas. Wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants tucked into hiking boots help shed them, too.

Of course, you could play it safe. Just lie on the beach, away from the itchy leaves, away from the offending bugs. Of course, then the sun will get you. As with the others, the best course of action is to ward off trouble ahead of time. A decent sun block and the common sense to come in before you are medium rare keep sunburn risk at bay.

It's not terribly complicated. Know when you are going to be outside. Minimize your exposure to summer's itches and burns, and then take care of them right away when you cross the proverbial line.

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