Americans to Brace for Itchiest Summer in Years

(I-Newswire) May 31, 2005 - Skillman, NJ (May 27, 2005) – As summer begins, new research conducted by SDI/WeatherTrends, a leader in the long-range weather forecasting industry, and sponsored by CORTAID® Brand, a leader in anti-itch treatment, suggests that a confluence of weather conditions will create a ripe environment for itch culprits such as insects, poison plants, allergens and sunburn. The itch season is likely to extend nationwide from May through September with the most significant impact in the Northeast, Midwest and South Central regions of the U.S.

2005 Top 10 Itchiest Cities are predicted to be:

#1 – Harrisburg, PA

#2 – Burlington, VT

#3 – Dallas, TX

#4 – Oklahoma City, OK

#5 – Green Bay, WI

#6 – Denver, CO

#7 – Albany, NY

#8 – Baltimore, MD

#9 – Philadelphia, PA

#10 – Cincinnati, OH

While the data may leave Americans scratching their heads in disbelief, www.ItchAlert.com will provide some comfort. The highly interactive, yet easy-to-use, Web site leverages sophisticated technology to continuously evaluate weather patterns and provide timely itch forecasts for every U.S. city. Visitors may plug in their zip codes to view their city's "Itch Score" for the current week, week to follow and season. Colorful maps depict where and when itch will be "very low," "low," "moderate," "high" or "severe." The site also features a column with helpful tips for treating itchy skin.

"ItchAlert.com will help consumers understand when they will be most susceptible to itch factors, such as biting insects, sunburn and poison ivy this summer," says Peter Willmert, product director, CORTAID® Brand, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products Company.

"When armed with their city's itch score, consumers will be able to determine optimal timing for outdoor activities such as barbequing and hiking, or just stay prepared with the essential supplies like a one-percent hydrocortisone spray when they need it most."

ITCH ALERT™ Research

Why will summer 2005 be the itchiest summer in more than three years? Consider it the "perfect itch," explains Jack Grum, vice president, SDI/Weather Trends, Inc. "A relatively mild and snowy winter kept the ground from freezing, allowing pesky critters to survive cold snaps and populate. Increased heat, dryness and sunshine this summer will allow weeds and greenery to thrive, creating a cozy environment for biting insects and causing greater exposure to poison ivy and sunburn."

Plan Ahead To Combat Itch

"Itchy, dry skin can put a damper on fun summer activities," explains Greg Davenport, outdoor survival expert. "By preparing in advance, you can help stop itchy skin from bugging you this summer."

To help battle the itch this summer, Mr. Davenport suggests the following tips, which can be found on www.ItchAlert.com:

Learn to recognize and avoid plants you think could be poison ivy, poison oak or poison sumac.
Thoroughly wash the areas that have come in contact with poison plants.
Rashes can sometimes be prevented if skin is cleansed soon after contact.
Wear insect repellent when outdoors.
While camping or spending time in wooded areas, wear clothing that fully covers the legs and arms to avoid exposure to ticks and other insects, as well as poisonous plants.
Do not wear scented lotions and perfumes – they may attract insects.
Wear sunscreen when outdoors – even on a cloudy day.
Always be prepared with an anti-itch spray or lotion that contains one percent hydrocortisone, such as CORTAID® Brand Intensive Therapy Cooling Spray, which soothes itch and inflammation on contact.

www.ItchAlert.com is sponsored by CORTAID® Brand, an expert in anti-itch treatments.

CORTAID® is an internationally known trademark of Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products Company, a division of Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc., a member of the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies.

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