poison ivy

Hello.  I have a 19 year old son who went on a camping trip up into Canada.  Whenever he got home he had little red bumps in patches all over him. He's got some on his legs, arms, and his back.  It doesn't look like poison ivy to me.  Any ideas on what it could be and how to treat it?  Thank you very much!

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Anon:

To be honest, I can't tell from your description whether he has mild poisone ivy, insect bites, or a heat rash.  In any case, it doesn't sound too serious.  Just keep the area moist with lotion.  If the rash spreads or itches very badly, perhaps you should show it to a doctor.

I hope he had a nice time . . .

Dr. Rockoff